When the Detroit Red Wings signed James van Riemsdyk this summer, it seemed like the typical veteran depth signing most clubs pursue to round out their roster.
However, most teams don’t have the luxury the Red Wings have. There’s a plethora of young talent bubbling up the pipeline. That’s a good problem to have, except that young talent eventually needs a chance to play.
One such prospect that deserves a chance to play is Carter Mazur. The 23-year-old was a surprise cut at the end of training camp this fall. Most pundits believed he had an inside track at a roster spot, but ended up getting sent down to Grand Rapids.
Well, all he’s done there is light up the scoreboard, notching four goals and two assists from six points in four games.
Van Riemsdyk, meanwhile, has one goal in four games. The veteran forward is skating on the fourth line and has seen his ice time dwindle gradually. So, why not sit van Riemsdyk for a couple of games and see what Mazur has to offer?
The Red Wings' lineup is practically all young players at this point. Only a handful of veterans remain on the squad beyond core vets like Dylan Larkin, Patrick Kane, and Alex DeBrincat. That’s why Carter Mazur should get the chance to play a meaningful role at the NHL level.
Mazur will need new contract next summer
There’s another pressing reason why the Red Wings should give Mazur a longer look. He’s in the final year of his entry-level deal. That situation means he’ll become an RFA and will need a new contract.
So, how can the Red Wings fully assess Mazur’s value if they don’t give him a legitimate shot a playing in the NHL? Perhaps GM Steve Yzerman has already made up his mind and figured Mazur will become a fixture next season.
Van Riemsdyk is on a one-year deal, while Patrick Kane will also become a UFA. There’s no indication that Kane will retire, but you never know.
So, that’s two roster spots that could organically open up for Mazur. However, the club may not wait that long.
While Kane is unlikely to go anywhere, the jury is still out on van Riemsdyk. If he can’t pick up the pace, coach Todd McLellan may have no other choice but to sit van Riemsdyk. That’s where Mazur could get his shot.
All told, the Red Wings will have several lineup spots available sooner rather than later. The great news is that the club also has the talent to fill them from within.