Rise and grind the Jonatan Berggren edition

Jonatan Berggren, 24, along with many of Detroit's depth forwards, are struggling to contribute consistent offense to begin the year. This is a bit alarming and may just be the difference between qualifying for the postseason and improving on last season's success. It's still early-ish in the season, and I am not ready to hit the panic button, but the Detroit Red Wings have a real problem generating offense from their bottom six.

I will say this: I refrain from being emotionally attached to every player who comes through Detroit; that's the truth, but I did wonder how the Red Wings' bottom six would perform after electing to let Daniel Sprong walk in free agency (Vancouver) and trading Robby Fabbri to Anaheim. Both forwards totaled 18 goals last season.

Sprong proved to be very one-dimensional and a liability in the neutral and defensive zones, but I've never seen a player able to make the most of his very limited playing time. Fabbri was a clear cap casualty, with general manager Steve Yzerman needing to extend Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Detroit clearly felt like Vladimir Tarasenko, who they added in free agency, would be a suitable upgrade to David Perron, but Yzerman could have chosen to keep Fabbri instead. Tarasenko has a proven track record and will hopefully start to produce, but he's also one of the players struggling early on.

Slumping Red Wings

Tarasenko, 32, has recorded two goals and three points over ten games this season heading into Wednesday night's contest with Chicago. Head coach Derek Lalonde doesn't seem too concerned with his early-season slump.

"I think when he plays his game, he's creating chances, being responsible," Lalonde said. "There are some positives there. Obviously, he'd like to finish a little bit more, but I think he has done a pretty good job of buying into the team aspect, too. As long as he is creating those chances, we're in a good spot with Vlad," Lalonde said.

Kasper has just one assist in seven games. Joe Veleno has one assist in 11 games. Christian Fischer comes in with one goal and two points through ten games. Newcomer Tyler Motte has zero points in four games. Michael Rasmussen has two goals and three points on the season.

Jonatan Berggren needs to continue creating scoring chances, and the production will follow.

His play hasn't jumped out off the scorecard, but if you watch the games, Jonatan Berggren is generating scoring opportunities for himself and his linemates. Also, he's winning many of those 50/50 board battles he hadn't won at the NHL level in his past stints. Is it confidence knowing that he's here to stay this season? Is it simply growth and development? Maybe it's a little of both. Next up will be turning these scoring opportunities into points.

Heading into Wednesday night's game in Chicago, Berggren has recorded one assist over 11 games to begin the season. He's maintaining a Corsi For Percentage of 47.0 skating on the third line, usually alongside his pal Marco Kasper and the aforementioned Tarasenko. One very positive stat to mention is Berggren's 6.6 Relative Corsi For Percentage while at even strength. In 12 games last season with the Red Wings, that number came in at -1.4.

Lalonde recently mentioned that he's happy with Berggren's play this season and his ability to create (scoring chances) and that it's only a matter of time before he breaks through.

Berggren has totaled 17 goals, and 35 points through the first 90 games of his NHL career.