ESPN posted 31 NHL team previews this morning as a set of ESPN+ Insider articles, and Emily Kaplan was tasked with discussing the Red Wings’ 2020-2021 season expectations. Here’s a fair amount of what she has to say:
Big question: Is this the last season of misery? Yzerman took control of the Red Wings in April 2019. The GM refuses to put a timetable on his rebuilding plan, and for the past 20 months it has felt like Detroit has just been biding its time until bloated contracts expire and enough prospects develop. The Red Wings were tough to watch in 2019-20, finishing with a league-low 39 points — 23 fewer than the Ottawa Senators — with an absurd minus-122 goal differential.
Yzerman made several depth signings to make the Red Wings more competitive. The question is: Just how competitive (and watchable) are they now?
Did realignment hurt or help? Let’s be honest: Wherever the Red Wings played this season, they would be projected at or near the bottom. Realignment doesn’t change much for Detroit’s prognosis.
Offseason comings and goings, plus the cap situation The Red Wings have $9,538,611 in projected cap space, according to Cap Friendly.
Lots of movement in Detroit this offseason. Joining the team: goaltender Thomas Greiss, defensemen Marc Staal, Jon Merrill and Troy Stecher, forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Bobby Ryan. Gone: goaltender Jimmy Howard, forward Justin Abdelkader, defensemen Madison Bowey, Trevor Daley, and Jonathan Ericsson.
Bold prediction
The defense will significantly improve. The Red Wings finished last in the NHL last season in goals allowed per game (3.73) but should see that number drop. Greiss is an upgrade over Jimmy Howard to platoon with Jonathan Bernier, and the additions of Staal, Stecher and Merrill — who have all been on winning teams — make the defense much sturdier.
Continued (paywall)
