Red Wings executive vice president Nicklas Lidstrom spoke with Expressen’s Gunnar Nordstrom recently, and here’s a rough translation of Nordstrom’s blog entry regarding said discussion:
That’s why Lidas believes in the playoffs for Detroit
Los Angeles. During Nicklas Lidstrom’s time with the Detroit Red Wings, a playoff spot was a given.
Yes, there were also four Stanley Cup titles during the Swedish star defenseman’s time with the team.
Detroit has now missed the playoffs for seven years in a row.
The idea is that there will be a change to that in the 2023-2024 season.
The management, where Lidstrom is a part as the vice president of hockey operations, has strengthened the team with nine new players.
“We’ve strengthened the whole team, and I think we should be a playoff team in the spring,” says Nicklas Lidstrom to Expressen, who tells us that he and his family are not affected by the floods after the rainy weather in Vasteras.
“Our house is located by the water, but it’s high enough up that we haven’t been affected by the floods,” he says.
Lidas hopes and believes that some of the team’s Swedes will also help to reach the goal. Lucas Raymond, 21, is one of them.
After a successful rookie season in 2021-2022 with 57 points, 23 goals and 34 assists in 82 games, his production dipped last winter (to 45 points in 74 games).
“He improved during the second half of last season, so I’m not worried. There can be a dip in the second year in the NHL, when all opponents know how good you are, and the scouting becomes tougher. And everyone now knows how good LUcas is. But I’m convinced that he will come back with a little desire for revenge,” says Lidstrom.
Jonatan Berggren, 23, played his way into a regular spot last season, and Elmer Soderblom, 22, got to play in 21 games before being sent to the AHL and the farm team, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Lidas hopes and believes that some of the team’s Swedes will also help to reach the goal.
“Elmer was unlucky with injuries at the end of the season in Grand Rapids. He’s absolutely got the potential to break through into the team this fall, even if the competition is tough.”
Another Swede who will be watched during training camp later in September is speedy defenseman William Wallinder, 21.
The Rogle defenseman will fight for a spot after a successful winter in the SHL, where he scored 26 points in 50 games.
“William has stepped up in Rogle, and become more even in terms of his game. He can be involved in all situations, and the idea is that he will stay in North America next season. If he doesn’t earn a spot with the Red Wings at the start of the season, he will play in Grand Rapids,” says Nicklas Lidstrom.
Simon Edvinsson, 20, made his NHL debut last winter, and he ranks as the team’s top defensive talent after being drafted 6th overall two years ago. But a shoulder injury forced him to have surgery on May 1st, and rehabilitation is estimated at 4-6 months.
“We’ll see whether he’s ready for the start of the season in October. But we are aware that it may take longer. And don’t forget that we have Albert Johansson, 22, who is fighting for a place on the defense,” concludes Lidas.
