Khan scouts Christoffer Ehn

MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a 2019-2020 season outlook for Christoffer Ehn earlier today, and he asks a pertinent question regarding a center who looked like a fourth-line workhorse in 2018-19: is Ehn expendable due to the Wings’ free agent additions, at least for now?

Ehn surprised by earning a roster spot out of training camp in his first season in North America. The 2014 fourth-round pick (106th overall) was better-prepared for the NHL than some others due to his age and experience of playing in the Swedish men’s league with Frolunda.

The coaching staff and front office were swayed by Ehn’s attention to detail and responsible defensive play. Aside from two relatively brief stints in the AHL, Ehn was a fixture on the Red Wings’ fourth line.

The organization is hoping he has a little more offense in him, but he hasn’t shown that at any level. If he’s going to remain in the NHL, it will be as a bottom-six checking forward and penalty killer who can play center and the wing.

Ehn’s primary competition for a roster spot in training camp might come Ryan Kuffner. Both are young, waiver-exempt players who will only stick around if they’re in the lineup regularly.

Continued

Published by

George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, when MLive hired me to work their SlapShots blog, and I joined Kukla's Korner in 2011 as The Malik Report. I'm starting The Malik Report as a stand-alone site, hoping that having my readers fund the website is indeed the way to go to build a better community and create better content.