Austin Czarnik
If the Detroit Red Wings are playing to not lose, then Austin Czarnik is the guy.
He’s old, reliable, and you know what you get with Czarnik on every shift. His teammates, fans, and coaches all love him.
I think he’s the smoothest transition, the slightest learning curve to adjusting to the NHL, and provides the most short-term gains. If Larkin or Rasmussen return soon, I reckon this is the player we’ll see in the Detroit Red Wings lineup.
However, I’m not sure he’s the answer if a forward is out long-term for the Detroit Red Wings. He’s not going to add elements to the Detroit Red Wings lineup that they are lacking. Where Kasper or even Mazur might add an element they’re missing over the long term or even add something new to the lineup, Czarnik is the player he is, and there’s not much changing that.
A fantastic, heart and soul player, I root for Czarnik every chance I get. Just not in this instance.
Zach Aston-Reese
Similar to Czarnik, Aston-Reese is a well-known commodity.
He’s possibly more effective than Czarnik at times, but that’s only at times. The ever-consistent, inconsistent player Aston-Reese has an NHL skill level. I just wonder where his head is sometimes when he takes silly penalties, misses an assignment, or is out to lunch on a play.
I want players in the Detroit Red Wings lineup who want to be there 100% of the time. If Aston-Reese did, he would be my number one on this list. Since he’s not always putting in the effort, I prefer moving on in favor of others.