The Athletic’s Max Bultman examines the Red Wings’ depth chart after the team’s numerous free agent signings:
[At forward, the] big questions here are: Who plays alongside Larkin and Raymond, and where does Compher slot? It’s possible, frankly, that they could answer each other, with Compher slotting right into the Tyler Bertuzzi role.
That would probably take a big preseason performance from Kasper, though, to show he’s ready to handle the 3C job, because with how strong Rasmussen looked on the wing, you have to think he’ll start right there next to Copp next season.
And given all those moving parts — plus Detroit’s desperate need for a right-handed center — the safest expectation is probably to see Compher down the middle, listed here as the “third line” but realistically interchangeable with Copp’s.
In that scenario, Perron’s smarts, battle level and wall play would fit with Larkin and Raymond, and conveniently keep the three most likely members of “PP1” together at even strength, so that’s the one I went with here. (It’s worth noting in the alternative, though, Perron would make one heck of a first linemate and mentor for Kasper.)
Continued (paywall)
