MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses 5 ways in which the Red Wings can improve upon last season’s performance this morning, and these two points struck me as the most important in terms of means by which the team can better themselves:
A reliable second scoring line: Pius Suter could solidify the troublesome second-line center spot. He collected 14 goals and 27 points in 55 games as a 24-year-old rookie with Chicago last season. He will be paired, at least initially, with his former junior teammate Robby Fabbri. Fabbri is another player who missed time last season due to illness (COVID-19) and injury (concussion), but produced when healthy (10 goals, 18 points in 30 games). He has 24 goals and 49 points in 82 games over parts of two seasons in Detroit, where he has resurrected a career plagued by knee injuries.
A potent power play: The Red Wings’ 11.8 percent conversion rate last season on the power play was their worst in recent memory. They have ranked 30th, 29th, 19th, 24th and 27th in the league on the man-advantage the past five seasons. But they didn’t have a former highly skilled player in charge of this vital area of the game before. New assistant coach Alex Tanguay has stressed quicker puck movement and encouraged players to use their instincts more rather than going by the book. Entries, one of the main issues last season, have been noticeably smoother in the preseason. The additions of Suter in the net-front/slot area, Lucas Raymond with his seam passing and Nick Leddy and Moritz Seider at the point provide more depth on the units.
Continued; secondary scoring is a primary concern for the team, as are better special teams.
