What are the Mid-Season Grades for the Red Wings?

Dylan Larkin

Grade: A

Dylan Larkin has been terrific for the Red Wings this year.  He has nine goals and 15 points in his last 12 games and is really helping to carry the team through the rebuild.  Larkin regularly plays 20 minutes a night and on the season leads the Red Wings with 19 goals and 37 points in 36 games.  Larkin has one season remaining on his current contract before he can become an UFA for the first time.

Tyler Bertuzzi

Grade: A

Tyler Bertuzzi has also been excellent through the first half of the season.  Although he missed three games played in Canada, Bertuzzi is second in scoring with 19 goals and 37 points in 36 games.  In March, Bertuzzi is expected to miss a three game Canadian road trip followed by three more Canadian games in April.

Lucas Raymond

Grade: A-

Lucas Raymond has been the perfect fit on the Larkin line this season.  Raymond was not expected to make the Red Wings out of training camp but, an injury to Jakub Vrana, and a terrific pre-season allowed the Red Wings to take an extended look at their prized draft pick.  Raymond is currently the NHL’s top rookie scorer with 11 goals and 33 points in 41 games.

Vladislav Namestnikov

Grade: B

Vladislav Namestnikov has been a nice surprise for Detroit this season.  After a difficult first season in Detroit last year, Namestnikov is currently 6th in Red Wings scoring with 11 goals and 20 points in 41 games.  Namestnikov would like to stay in Detroit but, he will be highly sought-after at the trade deadline.  Namestnikov could be traded then re-signed after he becomes an UFA at the end of the season.

Pius Suter

Grade: B

Pius Suter had a slow start with the Red Wings after being signed as an UFA during the offseason.  He looks rejuvenated on a line with his former Guelph teammates, Robby Fabbri and Tyler Bertuzzi.  In 41 games, Suter has nine goals and 19 points.  Suter has one season remaining on his current contract before he can once again become an UFA.

Robby Fabbri

Grade: B+

Robby Fabbri has been very good all season for the Red Wings.  He provides solid depth on the 2nd line with Suter and Bertuzzi.  Fabbri recently signed a three-year contract extension and deserves every penny.  In 39 games, Fabbri has 11 goals and 18 points.

Sam Gagner

Grade: C+

Sam Gagner has provided veteran leadership to a young Red Wings group of forwards.  He kills penalties, blocks shots, and chips in offensively.  In 41 games, Gagner has four goals and 13 points.  Similar to last season, Gagner will once again be an UFA at the end of the season.

Michael Rasmussen

Grade: C-

Michael Rasmussen continues to disappoint in the offensive end of the ice.  Rasmussen seems to have found a home as a defensive center and penalty killer with the Red Wings.  In 39 games, Rasmussen has scored four goals and 13 points.

Filip Zadina

Grade: D+

Filip Zadina is wearing out his welcome as an offensive weapon with the Red Wings.  Drafted as a sniper, Zadina has four goals and 11 points in 39 games with a -16 rating.  In game 41 against Dallas on Friday night, Zadina only received 8:38 of ice time, a message that Zadina is no longer viewed as a top player on this Red Wings roster.

Adam Erne

Grade: D+

Adam Erne has regressed as an offensive player with the Red Wings.  In an abbreviated season in 2021, Erne led all Red Wings with 11 goals and a -1 rating in 45 games.  In 40 games this year, Erne has three goals and nine points with a -16 rating.  Erne has one more year left on his current contract before he can become an UFA.

Joe Veleno

Grade: C-

Joe Veleno started fairly strong after he was recalled from the AHL.  Recently, Veleno has struggled as he has gone 12 games with a goal or point.  In 25 games this season, Veleno has three goals and four points to go along with a -8 rating.  Once the Red Wings forward group is healthy, Veleno will likely be sent back to Grand Rapids where he can continue to work on his offensive game and play more than the 10-12 minutes he is earning in Detroit.

Givani Smith

Grade: D+

Givani Smith can sure stick up for his teammates but, he is experiencing a scoring drought that has to be addressed.  Smith regularly plays 5-6 minutes a night and should be given more ice time as the season moves along.  Smith has gone 13 games without a goal or point.  The addition of his brother Gemel to the Red Wings lineup, will hopefully light a spark that has been missing from Givani’s offensive game.  In 32 games this season, Smith has two goals and four points with a -4 rating.

Carter Rowney

Grade: D+

Carter Rowney is a depth veteran forward on this rebuilding Red Wings team.  He regularly plays 9-10 minutes on the nights he plays.  In the 22 games Rowney has played this year, he has scored two goals and four points with a -3 rating.  Rowney will be an UFA at the end of the season.

Mitchell Stephens

Grade: C-

In the 16 games that Mitchell Stephens has played this year, he has played with a tenacity that was needed on the Red Wings bench.  Stephens has been out of the lineup with an injury since the middle of November.  He is almost ready to return and should provide depth down the middle for the Red Wings.  For the year, Stephens has four assists playing a 4th line role and 10-11 minutes a night for Detroit.  Stephens will be a RFA at the end of the season.