Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould posted a massive Red Wings 2022-2023 season preview, and here’s the gist thereof–the “burning questions” and season prediction:
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Can Edvinsson follow in Seider’s footsteps? One thing the Red Wings really need is a strong, consistent partner for Seider. They tried DeKeyser, Marc Staal, Jordan Oesterle, and a few others in that spot last season, but none of them really worked. If Edvinsson can jump in and play like a top-four guy at age 19, he’ll help answer a lot of questions in Detroit.
2. What does Robby Fabbri’s future hold? Fabbri looked to be on the right track in Detroit after tearing his left ACL twice as a member of the St. Louis Blues. But the 26-year-old suffered another ACL injury — this time, to his right knee — late last season, and it’s unclear when he might ready to return in 2022–23. Fabbri is an effective middle-six scoring forward when healthy, and he’s under contract through the end of the 2024–25 season.
3. Is Tyler Bertuzzi on his way out? Trade rumors followed Bertuzzi throughout the 2021–22 season, which was the most productive of his NHL career to date. The 27-year-old winger netted 30 goals in just 68 games and played with a ton of snarl on the Red Wings’ top line. He has just one year left on his current deal, which carries a $4.75 million cap hit, and is eligible to become a UFA next summer.
PREDICTION: The Red Wings should be a little better in 2022–23 than they were last season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll make the playoffs. The Atlantic Division is pretty strong, and you don’t have to look far to find competing teams that have made significant improvements this summer.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are pretty much locks to make it, and the Florida Panthers have a pretty good chance — although MacKenzie Weegar is a huge loss on defense. The Boston Bruins should remain competitive, especially after Charlie McAvoy and Brad Marchand return to the lineup around the holidays. And certainly don’t count out the Ottawa Senators, especially with Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux now in the fold.
We expect the Red Wings to have a respectable season, but even 85 points won’t be enough to qualify for the post-season. At best, they’ll likely finish fifth in the Atlantic.
