Detroit Red Wings: 3 top performers from beginning of '23-24 season

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The Detroit Red Wings are off to a great start in the 2023-24 season. They look like a new team and have been exceptional to kick off the season. For Detroit, it has to be good to see the Yzerplan starting to come to fruition. It’s been a long time coming, and the Red Wings seem to be “back.”

For the Detroit Red Wings, there’s a lot of work to be done and plenty of season ahead. Detroit’s got to prove themselves, and they have a chance to do so this season. But we are 12 games in, crossing about the 15% mark on the season, and there’s still plenty of game time left, but why not talk through some of the players who are off to a good start?

It’s early, but the Red Wings have plenty of new additions who are popping off and some current players who are finding their way. But when it comes to the top performers, the Red Wings have plenty. Let’s take some time and talk through a few of them, as well as what they are doing right.

Detroit’s got to be happy with how things are unfolding to this point, and the new era of Red Wings hockey is a fun one, but it is worth talking through a few of the players who have made a difference in 2023-24. While it may be some usual suspects, it’s worth noting how well things have gone for a few of these players.

Let’s dive into three Detroit Red Wings players off to a good start.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is excelling in his new role.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has gotten off to a great start in 2023-24. He put his health on the line near the end of the team’s win over the Boston Bruins and may have to miss some time, but his start has been exceptional.

The Detroit Red Wings should be thrilled with how things are going for their captain, who has sort of taken on a new role. Larkin has played in 12 games in 2023-24, managing five goals and 12 assists for 17 total points, being one of the premier names in the league for scoring, and staying inside the top ten.

When it comes to Larkin’s role, he’s been able to take a backseat and not have to be “the guy” given the team’s off-season additions. So far, Larkin has adjusted well, being able to have some pressure taken off while he continues to put up numbers.

Larkin has held down a spot on the top line, being the leader and doing an exceptional job of manufacturing offense. Between his time on the power play that was on fire to start the season or 5-on-5 chances, Larkin has been able to get the job done.

He looks great out there, moving well in transition and on zone entries, being the same player he always has been, but having support around him to do damage. The Red Wings should be thrilled with his performance in the early parts of 2023-24.

Detroit Red Wings’ Alex DeBrincat is just what the doctor ordered.

While the first player mentioned was Dylan Larkin, his linemate, Alex DeBrincat, deserves a stick tap, too. The Detroit Red Wings’ big move of the off-season was going out to trade for DeBrincat, and he has jumped right in with the Red Wings and been extremely impactful.

The Detroit Red Wings placed DeBrincat on the top line and allowed him to do his thing with the support of Larkin and Lucas Raymond. DeBrincat is off to a scorching hot start and has been putting up numbers.

Through his first 12 games of the 2023-24 season, DeBrincat has scored nine goals and added four assists for 13 total points. He’s second in the league in goals and competing in the top tier of NHL players for points scored. Ottawa has to be punching the air, looking at how well DeBrincat is doing.

DeBrincat is a playmaker and offensive asset who has flourished in his new home and his new role. The Red Wings brought him in to score, and he has done just that. He’s been exactly what the Red Wings needed, and his hot start only has helped the Red Wings perform as well as they have been.

It is a young season, and he has plenty of time left to score more goals, but the Red Wings have to be beyond thrilled with how things are going to this point.

Detroit Red Wings defender Shayne Gostisbehere has been great.

Another addition for the Detroit Red Wings this off-season was Shayne Gostisbehere. The 30-year-old defenseman has been a great addition through the early parts of this young season. He’s been jumping in on special teams and has done a great job being an asset from the blue line.

Gostisbehere may not be leading the team in points or leading the teams’ defense core in points, but Detroit should be happy with how things have gone so far. The Detroit Red Wings are utilizing Gostisbehere well and finding ways to get him involved and producing offense.

Through his first 12 games in a Red Wings uniform, Gostisbehere has three goals and six assists for nine total points. It’s a great start from the left-handed shot, who has created some offense from the point. While the first pairing has mostly been Moritz Seider and Jake Walman, Gostisbehere has been doing fine as they have employed him from the blue line.

The Red Wings have also utilized him on the power play, where he has managed six points. Nearly all of his points come with a man advantage, but it’s precisely what the Red Wings needed. Gostisbehere is settling in well in his new home, and the Red Wings should be looking forward to the rest of the season.

Next. Detroit Red Wings' Joe Veleno continues to look good in the forward core. dark

There are plenty of players on the Red Wings who are off to good starts; however, these are three players who have really stood out. Even though Gostisbehere is not leading the team or defense core, he’s been a key piece of the puzzle.

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