Last night, the Detroit Red Wings won a triumphant victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. Detroit was engaged, aggressive on the forecheck and tenacious when off the puck. When comparing this game to their last bout against the Flyers, it's like watching two completely different teams. From Alex DeBrincat's two goal showing to the ruthless physicality of Albert Johansson, something about this game felt different.
Yesterday's game showed glimpses of what the Detroit Red Wings could be.
The Red Wings have struggled with their identity for years. Teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning are built with a blend of high scoring and fast forechecking. The Florida Panthers are built to overwhelm their opposition physically. The Red Wings, on the other hand, have yet to establish their identity. Last night, however, showed the potential for something greater.
With this win, Detroit has the chance to forge its very own identity. An identity built around grit, tenacity and making their opponents' lives hell.
Red Wings need to focus on tenacity, physicality
The current roster, while a huge leap ahead from the roster general manager Steve Yzerman inherited, still needs work. The bottom-six is out of flux. The top-six still needs a winger (and a contingency plan when Patrick Kane inevitably retires). Some of these solutions can come from the prospect pool. After all, the game plan with Eddie Genborg suggests he has a shot at the big club next season.
Others, however, will need to come from free agency or trades -- two areas in which Yzerman has struggled as of late. The latter is a mixed bag; the former, on the other hand, leaves a lot to be desired. But, as Yzerman has stated several times, his goal is to build a contender through drafting and developing. While adding around the margins with free agency can help, the true soul of the roster needs to come from the prospect pool.
Red Wings draft history shows consistent pattern
When looking at it from a bird's eye view, the Red Wings' draft history seems to focus on two things: physicality and tenacity. Players like Simon Edvinsson and Moritz Seider overwhelm their opposition with hard hits, grinding them down with smart, sound defense. Forwards like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard bring a little extra oomph to the front lines. Brandsegg-Nygard led all Red Wings in hits during his brief stint at the start of the season.
Take a look at the defensemen the Red Wings have drafted since Yzerman took over:
Name | Height |
|---|---|
Moritz Seider | 6'3" |
Simon Edvinsson | 6'6" |
Albert Johansson | 6'0" |
Axel Sandin-Pellikka | 6'0" |
William Wallinder | 6'4" |
Anton Johansson | 6'4" |
Shai Buium | 6'3" |
Size is the name of the game in Hockeytown. This defensive pool is built to pulverize other teams with big, booming hits and plenty of physicality on each line. When you add veterans like Ben Chiarot (6'3"), Justin Faulk (6'0") into the mix, the vision becomes clear.
Forwards bring extra layer of physicality
The defensemen aren't the only ones joining in on the fun, either. Their forward makeup is built around grit and tenacity, as well. Carter Bear, selected in the first round last season, plays with a must-win mentality every game. Here's what the EliteProspects 2025 Draft Guide has to say about Bear:
"Bear leaves nothing to chance. No matter the size of the opponent, the score, or the situation, he enters every battle with speed and never concedes an inch. Bear’s playoffs-every-night mentality also powers his offensive game. "EliteProspects 2025 Draft Guide
Bear isn't the only one to receive praise for his toughness. Eddie Genborg, selected just a few picks later, comes to Hockeytown full of sandpaper toughness. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is a physical force on both ends of the ice. Marco Kasper, while recovering from a tough sophomore campaign, still brings boatloads of grit to every game. While some younger players still need to grow into their NHL frame, the promise they show is nothing short of exciting.
How the Red Wings can adopt this identity
Identities aren't forged overnight. They're developed over long periods of time, reinforcing positive behavior while correcting inconsistencies. The final leg of this season (and a potential first round playoff series) can and will do heaps for the Red Wings moving forward. If the team can battle through this adversity and come out on top, they'll show both leadership and the fans that they're more than just a bubble team.
The Red Wings need to show they never give up.