Detroit Red Wings Blue Line Report for the Week of November 13, 2022
By Steven Shaw
A Look at the Detroit Red Wings’ Fifteenth Game of the Season: Los Angeles Kings
A west coast trip after a bad loss against a strong Ranger team is an excellent time to bond and reset. After giving up a goal in the first nine seconds, the team (except Dylan Larkin) did not look strong or engaged. Nedeljkovic was also not sharp. Playing from behind is not winning hockey. A positive third period is nice, but still, a loss to end the week is disappointing.
Detroit Red Wings: Game Fifteen Individual Reports
Moritz Seider – Grade C. I am convinced that Moritz Seider has a nagging shoulder injury. His skating looks outstanding, good positioning and solid decision-making, but he rarely initiates big hits and is not dominating along the boards. He looks to be hesitant, and being hesitant is not his game. He is still strong, and an excellent defenseman but does not take initiative and lead the team with big hits or powerful shots.
Ben Chiarot – Grade B-. Chiarot has taken a beating this year. Thankfully, he has given a lot of beatings, too. So many blocked shots and so many collisions take a toll. Chiarot is a great complementary defenseman when he is on his game. But he cannot be on all the time. When Chiarot flags, the whole team flags.
Next. Harsher suspensions will help eliminate dangerous hits. dark
Filip Hronek – Grade B+. As per usual with Hronek, there is good and bad. On the plus side, a goal and an assist, while doing a fine job leading the power play and being on the ice for over 27 minutes, is a strong game. But making a weak play that led to a goal 9 seconds into the game is a major problem. Overall, Hronek has played very well this year.
Olli Määttä – Grade B-. Not Määttä’s best game. A major addition to the team, his breakouts did not click at a high percentage. The second pairing needs to be far more efficient in getting out of their own zone.
Robert Hägg – Grade C. After a good start to the season, Hägg has regressed to being a weak third-pairing defenseman. Breakouts are especially challenging whether he is paired with Oesterle or Lindstrom.
Jordan Oesterle – Grade C. Another weak game for Oesterle and the third pairing.