The Detroit Red Wings made a few noteworthy moves on Day 1 of free agency. And you know what that means. It's time to project some lines because the regular season will be ready to roll in about 100 short days.
Yeah, it comes up quick, don't it? Seems like the Florida Panthers were hoisting the Stanley Cup just a couple of weeks ago. So, as the old cliche goes, and one that I'll always credit to my high school science teacher who actually made science class fun, "Time flies when you're having fun."
Well, it's always fun to talk Red Wings hockey and make projections, even when Steve Yzerman doesn't make it fun for us all the time. But hey, at least he brought in some supplementary help, yeah? That's more than some teams did.
So, I'll stop rambling now and start projecting some upcoming lines if the season started tomorrow. Just for a heads up, only players who are signed and with the big club on Puck Pedia are who I listed below.
That said, I'll be writing follow-up pieces should Yzerman shock the NHL world and make a move none of us saw coming. And now, it's on to those projections.
Forwards
This is a group I like, and would really like them if Yzerman could find more stability in the top six. Now, if the season started and my currently projected winger, Elmer Soderblom, hit the ground running, then I'll take back those words. But, until then, he's in the top six with what's a solid group. Especially that first line.
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Alex DeBrincat | Dylan Larkin | Lucas Raymond |
Elmer Soderblom | Marco Kasper | Patrick Kane |
James van Riemsdyk | Andrew Copp | Mason Appleton |
Carter Mazur | J.T. Compher | Jonatan Berggren |
Austin Watson | Michael Rasmussen |
That bottom six is intriguing with Mason Appleton joining the bunch. We also need to remember that, although Andrew Copp isn't a great player, and this is just me being real, the Wings were looking pretty good until he went down for the season.
James van Riemsdyk was a sneaky good pickup and will give the Wings a bottom-six scoring option. And Appleton gives the Wings an edgy option who could also put up modest numbers.
Jonatan Berggren is about out of chances, so if he doesn't play like his job's on the line out the gate, there's little good I'll be able to say about him. J.T. Compher moves to the foruth line for now, and I like Carter Mazur's upside, so he gets the nod as the 12th man.
Meanwhile, Michael Rasmussen moves out of the lineup and into an extra role, along with Austin Watson.
Defensemen
As you can see, I'm looking for a younger top-four, sans Ben Chiarot. Moritz Seider's the heart and soul of the blue line, and if you needed him to average 30 minutes a game, he'd be just fine with that.
Left Defense | Right Defense |
|---|---|
Ben Chiarot | Moritz Seider |
Simon Edvinsson | Albert Johansson |
Erik Gustafsson | Jacob Bernard-Docker |
Justin Holl |
I like the Edvinsson/Johansson pairing here, featuring another two-way talent and a defensive-oriented player. Not everyone will understand why Steve Yzerman signed Jacob Bernard-Docker, but I will tell you right now, never, ever, ever underestimate this one.
He and Erik Gustaffson will share the third pairing, with Gustafsson (hopefully) splitting time with Justin Holl.
Goaltenders
The minute we heard John Gibson was coming to the Motor City, we knew he was probably going to take over the top role as at least a 1A. But that doesn't mean Cam Talbot won't see between 35-37 starts this season.
Goaltenders |
|---|
John Gibson |
Cam Talbot |
Gibson's presence and the fact Talbot is in town for another year all but guarantees Sebastian Cossa's fate this season, but that's just fine. Next year, Cossa can slide in at least a No. 2/1B role, then really take over in 2027-28.
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