As I watch the snowflakes flurry to the ground, I can’t help but think they’re mirroring the Detroit Red Wings defensemen and overall season.
I don’t mean the team is made up of snowflakes (a commonly used derogatory word for people who might be supposedly soft or unmanly), but literally I’m staring out my window, and the weather has promised this region a white Christmas. So far, it’s making good on its promise as blankets of snow coat everything in its path. The hard downpour would echo on rooftops if it weren’t so cold. Instead, the muting snow gives me far too much time to ponder life’s great wonders.
For the Detroit Red Wings, the season has been anything but promising. It’s been a flood of disappointment, a spark of hope that is quickly doused by relentless waves of despair.
The light that once was peeking over the horizon is seemingly gone.
Detroit Red Wings defensemen are falling like the overall team record
The Detroit Red Wings posted on the Twitterverse that neither Simon Edvinsson nor Ben Chiarot will play tonight against the St. Louis Blues (game time at 7 p.m. ET):
Per Coach Lalonde, Simon Edvinsson and Ben Chiarot will both be out tonight.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 23, 2024
Injuries are bound to happen in a season, which was planned for by general manager Steve Yzerman.
It’s more than likely why he urged the team to start with eight National Hockey League (NHL)-caliber defensemen. Of which, the eight players challenged head coach Derek Lalonde and how he should best utilize them. Offering a solution to his conundrum, Yzerman traded Stanley Cup-winning Olli Määttä. A player whose statistics didn’t jump off the page or demand a higher role with the Detroit Red Wings somehow scored an invitation to the Four Nations Face-Off in February. I guess some teams place more emphasis on experience and leadership than statistics, but what do they know?
I can’t help but wonder how the Detroit Red Wings would have performed if Määttä stayed. He was a calm, confident presence who understood the roles that he was asked to fulfill and did so to the best of his ability in every way possible. Not once did I ever have to question his will, what team he was playing for (or betting on to win), or if his head was in the game. It always was, regardless of any statistic someone wanted to throw in my face. He was a proven winner and a great leader for our young defensemen to follow—especially a young Albert Johansson.
They might have had to waive an additional player or two before now to keep Määttä, but I think it would have been in the best interest of the team to find another way to make room (even if that meant trading the young Johansson, who could get better treatment elsewhere).
The Detroit Red Wings are in desperate need of inspiration and accountability. While I understand the season might be out of reach and the roster isn’t great, the Detroit Red Wings can still play competitively each night regardless of any excuses fans, the team, or coaches want to provide.
As injuries pile up, the challenges only get more great. Edvinsson’s injury isn’t expected to keep him out of the lineup for an extended period and after a couple of days off they expect to have a better timeline for Chiarot (it’s an ongoing issue that Chiarot has played with throughout his career).
The injuries open new opportunities for other defensemen.
William Lagesson was recalled to help provide depth but played over 16 minutes on Saturday.
Contrary to what some fans might post, Lagesson is an effective, hard-working defenseman who has earned his time with the Detroit Red Wings. If other defensemen stepped up (regardless of the challenges they faced), he wouldn’t need or have the chance to slot into the lineup. Lagesson, though, has played in over 100 NHL games so far in his career. Hopefully, his teammates can pull some inspiration from him. No matter who has written a player off, there’s still a chance to make an impact in the NHL.
If Johansson gets more of an opportunity, whether it’s through injury-related openings or trades, I hope he can take advantage of it. He’s already behind the eight ball in terms of getting consistent time on the ice, so unlike the veterans who get to take off any shift they please or miss an assignment, Johansson doesn’t get that luxury. Fortunately for Johansson, he’s mentally tough and an excellent player who will find a way out of this dark time (with or without the support of his head coach or so-called fans who have given up on him all too early).