Don’t worry–in this version of the 8 observations of the Detroit Red Wings, I will get to Mo Seider with the last two. But here are six to start with before we get to who I believe is the MVP of this team so far.
1: The Red Wings have been looking for secondary scoring for what feels like four seasons now. They got some last night. Givani Smith getting on the scoresheet was a good thing to see but even better was the shot from the point by Filip Hronek. It’s good to see Hronek putting the puck in the net when there’s still a goalie between the pipes.
2: MIckey Redmond pointed it out but it bears repeating: Lucas Raymond‘s knowledge and hockey IQ is fun to watch. For all the statistical comparisons to Steve Yzerman, it’s the one thing that both Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov had during the glory days of Detroit–high IQ on the ice. It’s just the little things he does on the ice that make you smile when you think that had they not lost the 2020 lottery, he wouldn’t be a Red Wing right now.
3: So it’s not a Red Wings big club related note but over in Grand Rapids, Jonatan Berggren continues to torch the AHL. It wasn’t too long ago that head coach Jeff Blashill would note that players had to be good in the “American League” in order to get a look with the big club. He’s doing that and more. I don’t expect to see Berggren get more than 9 games this season, but boy, if his health and performance keeps up, what a show that could be in Detroit with the likes of Lucas Raymond.
4: Admit it. You suck in a breath with Alex Nedeljkovic coming out of the net and playing the puck aggressively. But at the same time, you love seeing it, especially when it leads to a quick entry.
5: The blown leads in the third is something that obviously needs to be tightened up, and is the sign of a younger team, learning how to play to win. It was unexpected that the Red Wings would have this record 25 games in, but the Islanders controlled the majority of the third period. Taking the next step means figuring out how to turn that around–which will come in time. But once again, staring adversity in the face, they’d deliver in overtime.
6: I’ve complimented and given Michael Rasmussen the benefit of the doubt being young and still learning. But the penalty he took in the third is one he can’t take. And it’s just another one of those that drives the fanbase batty because everyone wants to see him succeed. He also had a near turnover in overtime, that again, really makes me wonder why he’s out there other than learning in high pressure situations like a 3 on 3.
But it’s not unfair to want to see more. And if it continues, he may need to sit, watch, and reset.
7: Moritz Seider‘s goal was one of those where you have to rewind it because it was incredible on a number of levels. It was the replay of the goal that really made it something because you realize just how talented the kid is. When the Red Wings drafted him, there wasn’t as much confidence in his offensive game as there was in his defense. Well, there ya go.
With a little angle to shoot from, Seider’s release was instant and he targeted the high far side of the net. He had but maybe, a fraction of.a second to pull this off before Ilya Sorokin recovers and shuts the angle off.
The puck was in and out of the net it was one of those moments you just marvel, while celebrating, at what the Red Wings have.
8: If the play of Seider and Raymond are truly what they are always capable of, no one should ever wonder about Steve Yzerman’s drafting again. Sure, he won’t hit on everything. But holy hell, has he hit big on his first two important picks of his tenure in Detroit. This organization was in a massive hole when Yzerman started the job, and just looking at the team now, along with the prospect pipeline full and bursting with talent, my oh my, could things get more fun over the next few seasons.