The Free Press’s Helene St. James’ morning article discusses Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry’s ability to help the team produce offense from their blueline:
“We need offense throughout our lineup,” coach Derek Lalonde said Wednesday. “I think the added depth in the offseason had a lot to do with just adding some goals throughout, and he can contribute there.”
Petry projects to help the Wings at even strength, and fortifies the second power play unit, where, during exhibition season, he has either played the point or been a shooter. The nice thing for the Wings is that either Petry or fellow defenseman Jake Walman is an option to put there.
“Both can run it and both can play in that shooter’s spot, and they’re both good on breakouts, good poise,” Lalonde said.
Petry has 353 points, 100 of them on the power play, in 864 career NHL games. His ability to maneuver the puck was a key part of the attraction that drove general manager Steve Yzerman to acquire Petry in mid-August, when he was available on a great deal: The Wings sent the Montreal Canadiens little-used defenseman Gustav Lindstrom and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2025 for Petry, whose $6.25 million salary cap hit (through 2024-25) will be covered partly by the Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins, to the point it only costs the Wings $2,343,750 annually. That’s a reasonable price for a player who makes the Wings better in multiple ways.
“He’s a veteran, solid player,” Walman said. “He takes command a lot out there and it’s nice having him. It feels steady. Off the ice he’s got a lot of wisdom, as well, and he’s been in those places that we all want to be, and those games late in the season, so we can lean on him a little bit.”
Continued; as discussed last night, Petry’s 35, so it’s hard to expect him to post 45 points this upcoming season, but I think that 25-30 points are a realistic total, and the Red Wings need as much help as they can get in terms of scoring from the blueline.
