The Detroit Red Wings have fallen on some hard times since their blazing start. The club is a pedestrian 4-4-2 in its last 10 games. Despite cooling off, the Wings are pacing the Atlantic Division, leading the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins by a point.
While the Red Wings have three clubs in the Lightning, Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens (33 points) nipping at their heels, the season has largely been positive.
As The Athletic noted in its latest power rankings, the Red Wings have made major strides this season. The ranking placed Detroit 19th on the list. But that doesn’t hold back the fact that this season has been a good one so far:
“Take your pick here. Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider arguably took the leap last season; this year, they’re taking it a step further. They’re both playing near a plus-20 Net Rating pace, looking like some of the league’s best players in the process. Their massive steps are exactly what the Red Wings need to take a massive step of their own.”
Raymond could be on the verge of becoming a 100-point player, while a Norris Trophy could be somewhere down the line for Mo Seider. Both players are emerging as the franchise cornerstones everyone hoped they would become.
However, the power rankings do issue this stern warning:
“Now Detroit just needs to figure out the rest of the roster (excluding Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, of course), currently holding those two back.”
Is that comment a shot at the overall roster construction or the team’s depth scoring?
Perhaps it could be a matter of both.
The Red Wings' forward group hasn’t quite supported top stars
The top line of Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Emmitt Finnie has been money in the bank. So, we won’t get into that. The second line, however, has been somewhat of a letdown. Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane are two high-class veterans who continue to produce for the club. But it’s the second-line center position that’s raised concerns.
Marco Kasper’s sophomore slump has pushed him out of the top six entirely. His three goals in 30 games (one assist) have shoved him into a third-line winger spot. At this rate, Kasper would be well on his way to Grand Rapids.
That situation has bumped up Andrew Copp into the second center role. While Copp is a serviceable player, that’s not what GM Steve Yzerman had envisioned at the beginning of this season (13 points in 30 games). That move has also forced Nate Danielson into the lineup. However, Danielson hasn’t shown he’s quite ready for prime time (6 points in 15 games). He’s overall game could use a little more development, immense talent notwithstanding.
As for the fourth line, J.T. Compher, James van Riemsdyk, and Michael Rasmussen have been a serviceable line. They have come through at times this season, showing their veteran grit and potential upside (Rasmussen).
Defense looks promising, despite goaltending concerns
As for the defense, the group looks promising. Seider and Simon Edvinsson look poised to become a decent top NHL pair.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka figures to be the next prospect to stick around in the NHL, while Albert Johansson and Jacob Bernard-Docker have played well enough to kick Erik Gustafsson and Justin Holl down the depth chart.
That just leaves Ben Chiarot as the only veteran in the lineup. However, Chiarot’s days could be numbered. He’s an impending UFA and won’t likely be back next season.
On the whole, the defense has been good enough to compete this season. If we look past the goaltending situation, the Red Wings could still use upgrades across the board, nonetheless. Those upgrades may come in the way of prospects heading into the NHL.
Ultimately, it may just be a matter of time before the Red Wings’ prospect pipeline fills the gaps the team needs to address. While this season may or may not be a playoff year, there’s reason to believe next season and beyond could represent major improvements for the club.