Red Wings: Breaking Down the Atlantic Division
By Evan Mead
![Atlantic Division. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Atlantic Division. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/759cdeeaa04f1123441843a769c43fa8fbcfce11393285715f6869c0f4e9f21b.jpg)
The Detroit Red Wings have improved significantly this off-season. Unfortunately, they are in one of the toughest divisions in hockey. So, where do they rank in the division?
The Detroit Red Wings have improved greatly over the course of this off-season. They added another top prospect in Marco Kasper. Additionally, they also attacked free agency with a plan to get better, and they did.
After signing Andrew Copp, David Perron, Dominik Kubalik, Olli Maatta, and Ben Chiarot, this team is clearly looking to take a step up. But it wasn’t something optional, it was a necessity.
Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond both made the jump to the NHL this past season and performed very well. In doing so, I’m sure that Steve Yzerman and the rest of the Red Wings front office got the impression that they were ready to make the jump. But, they needed the veteran presence to do so. However, there is more to do than that.
Looking ahead to next season, there are 13 free agents. Some of the notable names include: Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Pius Suter, Oskar Sundqvist, Olli Maatta, Jordan Oesterle, Gustav Lindstrom, Joe Veleno, and Alex Nedeljkovic. Knowing that, you had to lock up a number of guys this season.
Now, If I had to put money on it, I’d say that not all of these guys will be coming back next season. Whether it’s through trade or simply walking through free agency, that’s too be determined. But, I don’t foresee them bringing Suter, Nedeljkovic, Oesterle, Sundqvist, or Maatta back.
With that being said, I feel that was the main reason for their free agency frenzy. Now, looking ahead, it’s time to figure out exactly where they rank amongst the other teams in the Atlantic, Eastern, and NHL.