NHL.com is previewing its 32 teams on an in-depth basis over the course of this month and early September, and today, they’ve reached the Detroit Red Wings.
NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika leads off the preview package with an, “Inside Look at [the] Detroit Red Wings”…
The Red Wings (32-40-10) finished sixth in the Atlantic Division last season and failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight time, while ranking at or near the bottom of the NHL in each major category — goals (227, 25th), goals against (310, 31st), power play (16.3 percent, 26th) and penalty kill (73.8 percent 32nd).
They will look far different after the offseason additions of coach Derek Lalonde, goalie Ville Husso, defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and Mark Pysyk, and Copp, Dominik Kubalik and David Perron at forward.
“I think we’ve addressed some needs,” Yzerman said. “I’m hoping we’re a better team. I think we’re progressing slowly in this rebuilding of the Red Wings. Are we good enough to make the playoffs next year? I don’t know. I’m hopeful that we’ll score more goals, we’ll give up fewer goals. I’m hoping our power play will be a little bit better, our penalty killing is a little bit better, our goals against is a little bit better, and that pushes us higher up the standings.”
Lalonde, hired July 1 to replace Jeff Blashill, was an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning the past four seasons and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.
Yzerman helped build the Lightning as GM from 2010-18 and a senior adviser in 2018-19 before returning to Detroit, where he won the Stanley Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2002 as a legendary captain and again in 2008 as a vice president of hockey operations.
“Steve was very clear in the whole interview process that this is going to take some time,” Lalonde said. “We’re building. We’re building the right way. But this is going to be a process.”
Cotsonika continues, and he also asks “Three Questions” which the Red Wings face going into the 2022-2023 season…
Can they make the Stanley Cup Playoffs? The Red Wings have improved significantly after adding coach Derek Lalonde, goalie Ville Husso, defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and Mark Pysyk, and forwards Andrew Copp, David Perron and Dominik Kubalik.
Defenseman Moritz Seider, the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, won the Calder Trophy voted as NHL rookie of the year last season. Forward Lucas Raymond, the No. 4 pick in 2020, finished fourth in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Now defenseman Simon Edvinsson, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, will challenge for a roster spot.
Still, it’s going to be tough to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. In the Atlantic Division, the Red Wings have to contend with the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs, not to mention the Ottawa Senators, who added goalie Cam Talbot and forwards Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux.
“I think I’d have to temper expectations,” said Lalonde, a two-time Stanley Cup winner as a Lightning assistant (2020, 2021). “We got great in Tampa when we literally just … We started focusing on the process. I know that sounds like such a cliché, but to sit there and talk about making the playoffs and where we’re going to be or putting a number on wins, I think that’s foolish, and that can hurt you. That can go the wrong way.”
Again, Cotsonika continues, and he also examines 5 of the Red Wings’ top prospects…
1. Simon Edvinsson, D
How acquired: Selected with No. 6 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Frolunda (SHL): 44 GP, 2-17-19
The 19-year-old said his goal is to play for the Red Wings on opening night this season, his first as a professional in North America, and he’s undaunted by the additions of defensemen Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta and Mark Pysyk in free agency.
“It motivates you more,” Edvinsson said. “It’s going to be harder, and if you want to take that roster place, you need to work really hard, because it’s great defensemen in the lineup. Yeah, just looking forward to [getting] to work.”
Edvinsson (6-foot-4, 198 pounds) was a finalist for rookie of the year in the Swedish Hockey League last season and is playing for Sweden at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.
“We’re optimistic,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “We’ll give him an opportunity, and if he’s ready to play and play a regular role, that would be great for us.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
Marco Kasper, Sebastian Cossa, Jonatan Berggren and Albert Johansson are also profiled;
And, among NHL.com’s fantasy hockey point projections for Red Wings skaters and goalies are the following…
Moritz Seider, D: He’s tied with Cale Makar (50 for Colorado Avalanche in 2019-20) for the second-most points by a rookie defenseman over the past three seasons behind Quinn Hughes (53 for Vancouver Canucks in 2019-20) and has the second-most shots on goal (187) by a rookie at the position the past six seasons since Zach Werenski (188 for Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016-17). Seider led the Red Wings in assists (43) and power-play points (21; led rookies) last season with strong hits coverage (151; first in his draft class). He is among the top 10 fantasy defensemen, top 50 overall players and top 10 in keeper and dynasty leagues.
NHL.com point projection for Seider: 60
Dylan Larkin, C: He had the best points-per-game average of his NHL career last season (0.97) and led Detroit in goals (31) and points (69 in 71 games). Larkin should be considered a top 100 overall fantasy player and could have an even higher ceiling in his contract year (potential 2023 unrestricted free agent) after the Red Wings signed David Perron, Andrew Copp and Dominik Kubalik, and traded for goalie Ville Husso.
NHL.com point projection for Larkin: 80
Four more point projections conclude NHL.com’s Red Wings season preview coverage.
