MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses this season’s outlook for defenseman Nick Jensen this morning:
2018-19 outlook: The Red Wings value Jensen’s skating ability (for defense) and right-handed shot (for puck-moving). He beat out fellow young defensemen Ryan Sproul, Xavier Ouellet and Alexey Marchenko, who are no longer with the organization, for a spot in the lineup and maintained it. Coach Jeff Blashill thought highly enough of Jensen to include him on the U.S. World Championship roster.
But Jensen isn’t assured of a spot in the lineup. The Red Wings expect prospect Filip Hronek, coming off a strong rookie season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, to make the roster. Hronek will only stick around if he’s playing regularly. If all of their defensemen are healthy, Hronek’s best chance for a lineup spot is Jensen’s.
The Red Wings must decide whether to re-sign Jensen or trade him by the deadline. With young defensemen like Joe Hicketts, Libor Sulak and Dennis Cholowski waiting in the wings, Jensen could be moved for a draft pick during the season.
I quite like Jensen and thought he was our best D-man at times last season. I’d hate to see him get traded just because some of our other guys can’t be moved due to their contracts.
Yeah i agree. Especially since most of the current dmen on the roster likely (or hopefully) wont be here in 2 years. Jensen still has lots of potential.
He definitely deserves more ice time before they dump him. If you look at the last few drafted Dmen that were supposed to good; they did start off decently (B Smith, Ericsson, Kindl, Marchenko….), but faded due whatever reasons. Jensen is not an offensive Juggernaut but he can be good at shutting down. This is his make or break season though.