The Detroit Red Wings have a gem on their hands.
Last night, free agent acquisition Viktor Arvidsson secured his first hat trick with the Red Wings, topping out at four points in a dismantling of the Chicago Blackhawks. Arvidsson now sits second in scoring among all Red Wings skaters with 14 points in 13 games. He's playing with a speed and tenacity that seems to infect everyone on his line, kicking Lucas Raymond and (now) Andrew Copp into high gear.
Best of all, he's just getting started.
Last season, Arvidsson scored 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points in 69 games with the Boston Bruins. He was brought in as a relatively low-stakes top-six forward that could help the Red Wings with even-strength scoring. Once it was clear Patrick Kane was leaving Detroit, the Wings moved Arvidsson into his role on the wing.
At this point, it seems like he's a clear upgrade over Kane.
Red Wings better off with Arvidsson over Kane
It should go without saying that this isn't meant to downplay Patrick Kane as both a player and a Red Wing. After all, he finished last season fifth in team scoring. But, if anything, that should be an indictment on the Red Wings more than a badge of pride. Kane is still an effective NHLer -- there's no denying that. But, at this point in his career, he's not an effective driver of offense.
Viktor Arvidsson, on the other hand, is still an effective driver.
Arvidsson's 14 points are nearly double Kane's eight. There will almost certainly be periods where the Swedish forward will go without scoring, but, as of right now, he's shown he's more dynamic at this point in his career than Kane is. When Kane was a Red Wing, play had to slow down to adjust to his pace. This hampered the creative ability of faster skaters like Emmitt Finnie and hamstrung the team's defensive game.
Arvidsson has shown he's good at both, just as able to keep up with the pace of the younger players while still taking care of business defensively. While Kane will always be a legend with the Red Wings, a younger, faster player like Arvidsson is an objective upgrade at this point in time.
Red Wings embracing the future
But Kane isn't the only player the team has moved past. Last night's game was the first without maligned ex-captain Dylan Larkin following his indefinite suspension from the Red Wings. Chants of "who needs Larkin?" erupted through Little Caesar's Arena. Fans cheered like they haven't all season. It's clear the Red Wings - both the fans and the players - are ready to move on from this chapter.
Arvidsson might just be one of many catalysts to bring about fundamental change in the Red Wings' locker room moving forward.
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