The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted an article framing the Red Wings’ opening-night lineup for the 2020-2021 season:
Forwards
Valtteri Filppula-Robby Fabbri-Anthony Mantha
We know Larkin, Mantha and Bertuzzi have chemistry, but I’d like to see Mantha with more of a playmaker than Larkin and Fabbri could fit that bill. He has played more center than wing in his career, and he’s creative with the puck. Filppula was one of many Wings who didn’t have a good 2019-20, but he has way longer history as a dependable two-way forward who makes deft passes and is sound defensively, and adds a responsible veteran presence to the line.
Tyler Bertuzzi-Dylan Larkin-Bobby Ryan
I think Ryan would fit well with Larkin and Bertuzzi, adding a big, right-shot dimension to make that line more dangerous. Ryan is super motivated to get his career rebooted after being bought out by Ottawa, and it was Larkin he called before signing to make sure he was going to a team that hadn’t accepted losing. Bertuzzi will do what he does, which is add grit and a scoring presence around the net.
I don’t know why I even read this, since I often disagree with what she has to write. Biggest issues: Fil on the top line(?) Stahl on top pairing? Fil is lucky to be on the team after last year and oh yeah, the Rangers gave us Stahl and a 2nd for nothing. I have not watched Stahl at all, but by many accounts he is a pylon who can’t keep up.