The Red Wings’ minor league affiliate, The Grand Rapids Griffins, will be a contender for the Calder Cup. The American Hockey League is some of the world’s most exciting and underrated hockey. The Griffins have been solid but not spectacular since last winning the Calder Cup in 2017. This year’s Griffins will be one of the most skilled teams anywhere.
The blue line will be stacked with solid players and future NHLers. Edvinsson, Johansson, Viro, Sebrango, McIsaac, and Lashoff make up an impressive defense corps. Soderblom, Andreasson, Hirose, Berggren, Czarnik, Shine, Tyutyayev, and others make for a quality front line.
Brattstrom and Olkinuora, and soon Bednar and Cossa, comprise a first-rate goaltending team. The only thing derailing a long AHL playoff run is a load of injuries on the big team. This year, a call-up from Grand Rapids will not mean a generic roster filler but a quality young player with star potential getting their shot at the NHL.
Red Wings forwards Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno will enjoy breakout seasons.
Another easy prediction is that Filip Zadina will have a strong scoring season. A new coach, new system, new contract, and a stronger supporting cast will equal a 50+ point season for Zadina. A less obvious prediction is that Joe Veleno will also break out.
Although Joe Veleno may start the season with a short-term stint at Grand Rapids, he has developed the savvy and strength to go along with skating and skill. He will be a second-half-of-the-season point producer and a major contributor as a versatile forward.
The new Red Wings players will flourish paired with the returning players.
There are so many exciting prospects that it is easy to forget that the Red Wings signed several experienced NHL-calibre players. These are not placeholders.
David Perron is a skilled all-around player and can work wonders on the power play. Andrew Copp has a chance to be the second-line center that the Red Wings have lacked for years.
Olli Maatta is an excellent, responsible, and positionally sound defenseman with more bite and puck skill than he is given credit for.
Ben Chiarot will continue to be a poor analytics performer but a valuable shot blocker and physical menace who will do what it takes for the team to win. Despite all the attention on the prospects, the new and old guys will be a collective force.
The Red Wings will improve a lot but miss the playoffs
The Red Wings will be playing meaningful games into April. Missing the playoffs is more likely than not. But the team should be challenging for the final wild card position up to the final week.
There will be some disappointment for not making the playoffs, but the excitement is back. This season will be the last time the Red Wings miss the playoffs for many years.
Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Derek Lalonde is a Coach of the Year Candidate
Derek Lalonde will be a Jack Adams finalist. He is joining the team at the exact time that the rebuild will show major results. A 20-point improvement from last year is a coach-of-the-year-worthy season.
Wild Speculation: The Detroit Red Wings will trade Alex Nedeljkovic
Signing Alex Nedeljkovic was a steal by Yzerman. But his contract expires at the end of this season, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
He will likely want a significant raise. With Husso, Cossa, Olkinuora, and the rapidly improving Jan Bednar ready to step up, quality cheaper options than Ned are available.
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Many teams desire a quality goalie in the prime of their career as a rental going into the playoffs. I have little doubt that Yzerman will be able to squeeze the best possible deal for Nedeljkovic.