MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses Mike Green’s 2018-19 season outlook this morning:
2018-19 outlook: The Red Wings re-signed Green due to their need for offense from the back end and his right-handed shot. It was a thin free-agent market on defense and, in all likelihood, only one defenseman from Grand Rapids (Filip Hronek) will be ready to start the season in Detroit. The Red Wings are rebuilding but want to dress a competitive lineup and believe Green will help in that regard.
In addition to his offense, Green is a good skater who moves the puck well but has been prone to turnovers.
He should be the point man on the top power-play unit under new assistant coach Dan Bylsma, whose primary task is improving a man-advantage that ranks last in the NHL over the past two seasons combined (16.3 percent).
Green is expected to be ready for the regular season opener but might be limited in training camp and the preseason following neck surgery in April.
Khan continues; coach Jeff Blashill suggested that Green won’t be cleared for contact until the preseason begins when Blashill spoke at the “Stars and Stripes Showdown.”
Green may have some defensive hiccups, but the Red Wings need his offensive abilities, so I would anticipate that Green will be used as the Wings’ default #1 offensive defenseman.
