Bultman talks WJC expectations for the Wings’ seven participants

The Red Wings’ seven participants at the World Junior Championship will be playing under the watchful gaze of both the team’s scouting staff and hockey-starved fan base starting on Christmas Day. Ahead of the WJC, The Athletic’s Max Bultman has outlined the expectations facing each and every one of Lucas Raymond, Theodor Niederbach, Elmer Soderblom, Albert Johansson, Gustav Berglund (all playing for Sweden), Eemil Viro (Finland) and Jan Bednar (Czech Republic).

Let’s examine what Bultman has to say about Niederbach, who’s probably going to center Raymond and Alexander Holtz on Sweden’s #1 line:

Theodor Niederbach, C (second round, 2020 draft): Niederbach’s blistering start to the season (he has 35 points in 19 J20 games) thrust him into the public eye quickly after Detroit picked him 51st overall. Now, that attention may be going up a notch if Niederbach indeed ends up between Raymond and Holtz on Sweden’s top line.

Niederbach told The Hockey News he wants to step up and take on [Karl] Henriksson’s defensive zone responsibilities, allowing the two dynamic wingers to do their thing. Obviously, the Red Wings will be elated if he can — Detroit has emphasized defensive responsibility with young centers such as Dylan Larkin and Joe Veleno in recent years. But certainly playing with two linemates that offensively gifted will be a prime opportunity for Niederbach to show off his hockey sense and playmaking ability, too.

Red Wings director of player development Shawn Horcoff praised Niederbach’s creativity, vision and sense earlier this fall, so the 18-year-old may very well make the most of that chance. But it’ll also be his first time playing in the tournament, so it’s important to temper the expectations. Detroit should be looking for Niederbach’s skill and instincts to pop between the two high-end wingers, but some mistakes are likely to come, too.

Continued (paywall)