Yeah, yeah, we can talk all day about just how many problems the Red Wings have, and there will be some interesting discussions. Hey, disappointing is the most generous way to sum up this team so far in 2024-25, and chances are becoming slim that the playoffs will be a reality, as midseason will be here before we know it.
But that doesn’t mean the Red Wings aren’t deeper than you may think, considering how well some of its more underrated talents have fared so far. Below, we’re talking about three of those players and what’s made them such valuable assets to the Wings amidst the down season.
Alex Lyon
Having landed on injured reserve, we haven’t seen Alex Lyon play in three weeks, but we still can’t forget his value to the team, even if Ville Husso has surprisingly stepped up. Lyon has amassed just a 4-4-0 record to date and a 0.500 quality starts percentage, but he has a shutout, a 0.911 save percentage, and a 2.74 GAA to his name so far this season.
In the games preceding Lyon’s injury, he suffered a rough stretch, allowing four, six, and five goals against the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, and Anaheim Ducks, respectively. But, he bounced back in what were two wins against the New York Islanders when Lyon allowed just three goals on 52 shots.
Once ready to roll again, Lyon should still be the No. 2 guy in the net behind Cam Talbot if the Red Wings are still realistically in contention. If not, what are the odds that he doesn’t become a valuable trade asset and Sebastian Cossa gets more looks?
Michael Rasmussen
Someone with nine points in 29 contests doesn’t always land on your radar, but Michael Rasmussen has shown us otherwise. He’s got five goals and a 16.1 shooting percentage, which more than indicates he’s making the most of his opportunities amidst 13:36 of average total ice time.
Rasmussen continues to sacrifice the body, evidenced by his 21 blocks and 54 hits, but these are just basic stats. Shifting gears to even strength possession metrics, Rasmussen has an on-ice shooting percentage of 13.0, and he hasn’t been on the ice for many goals against, with a 92.8 on-ice save percentage.
No, he’s not producing much points-wise and you won’t see him score over 15 goals this season. But he helps create chances when the Wings have the puck, and he stifles opponents when they don’t.
Andrew Copp
Some may not call Andrew Copp underrated, but when you think about some of the Red Wings more prolific scorers or points producers, his name doesn’t often come to mind. Still, seven goals and 13 points in 30 contests is among the better numbers so far in Hockeytown this season, and he remains one of the Red Wings most reliable players at the faceoff circle.
Like Rasmussen, his on-ice shooting percentage at even strength also isn’t bad, clocking in at 11.3, while his on-ice save percentage is a remarkable 93.2. Much like Rasmussen, Copp isn’t someone who will light the stat sheet even if he hasn’t done a half-bad job at it this season. But, he’ll play a valuable, albeit rather obscure role on both ends of the ice.