Sportsnet’s Mike Johnston penned an Atlantic Division preview today, and here’s what he has to say about the Red Wings:
DETROIT RED WINGS
2021 season outcome: 19-27-10, seventh place in Central Division, missed playoffs.
Notable off-season additions: Pius Suter, Mitchell Stephens, Alex Nedeljkovic, Nick Leddy, Jordan Oesterle, Luke Witkowski
Notable off-season subtractions: Jonathan Bernier, Valtteri Filppula, Frans Nielsen, Luke Glendening, Richard Panik
The good news: Overall, just knowing that Steve Yzerman is the one making decisions and building this roster is reason enough for optimism. In terms of the offence, there’s really nowhere to go but up after the team scored just one more goal than the lowly Ducks last season.
It was a slightly under-the-radar move but trading for Nedeljkovic from Carolina could help jumpstart a turnaround. The young netminder posted a .932 save percentage and 1.90 goals-against average which were league bests among goalies with more than 10 starts.
The bad news: There remains a dearth of elite talent. Detroit lost seven games in regulation by just one goal plus another 10 in overtime or a shootout. Their .227 winning percentage in one-goal games was worst in the NHL and a lack of proven scorers could mean similar results. If minor improvements result in winning more of these close games, though, then we’ll begin seeing Detroit climb up from the league’s lower tiers.
Continued; I believe that the Red Wings’ roster additions and special teams renovations could give the team the opportunity to be much more competitive in one-goal games, but we’ll see how things pan out.
This is closer to the start of the Rebuild than the end… One thing stands out is Lucas, doubtful but can surprise. Every game he seems to get better.
If he is better than some forwards as it is, right, Blash