The Athletic’s Max Bultman filed a fine article in which he discusses the happenings during the first day of Red Wings training camp, and, among his observations are the following:
With just one camp practice in the books, it’s admittedly a little early to start determining what the 2022-23 Red Wings’ identity will be. That’s something that builds over time — and, frankly, takes some proving, too. But one thing that was clear on Day 1: the Red Wings think their team speed can be part of whatever that identity becomes.
“I think we can skate,” Lalonde said. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Now, don’t take that to mean pure fire-wagon hockey is coming to Little Caesars Arena. Remember, Detroit’s top emphasis has been on improving its team defense. But the Red Wings do have speed to work with up and down their lineup, and Lalonde made sure to specify he thinks that skating ability extends to the blue line, too.
Interestingly, the way newly-signed forward David Perron described it, part of the team’s breakout design could help meet both aims — weaponizing Detroit’s speed without sacrificing defense.
“We did some of the breakout staples that we want to do as a team that will be predictable, simple, let us play with a lot of speed and pace and guys like Larks and (Lucas Raymond), those guys can really use their speed, get up the ice and create some odd-man rushes,” Perron said. “But also, I think it’s smart, and it kind of falls into our D-zone coverage. … They kind of work hand-in-hand, where you come in the zone, and you kind of get some of the stuff to do for the breakout, and if it somehow doesn’t work — like (in) hockey happens a lot — then you’re kind of set up into your D-zone coverage, which covers each layer defensively that you need to take care of.”
