Of Red Wings-related note this morning:
- The Athletic’s Murat Ates examines the power play units utilized by every one of the NHL’s 32 teams, via The Athletic’s beat writers, and here’s what Max Bultman has to say about the Red Wings’ preseason power play:
PP1: Moritz Seider, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, David Perron
PP2: Shayne Gostisbehere, Daniel Sprong, J.T. Compher, Jake Walman, Andrew Copp
Potential high-impact sleeper: Walman
Analysis: Through a couple of preseason games, the Red Wings’ top unit has been quite effective. It hasn’t been off the stick of marquee trade acquisition DeBrincat, though; rather, the attention teams have had to give DeBrincat has created room elsewhere on the ice, and DeBrincat has twice found Larkin alone on the back door for goals as a result. Seider has fired a few shots in from the point, as well. It certainly seems like Detroit has found a legit top group to lean on after years of searching. — Max Bultman
Continued; given that the Wings are utilizing a now-conventional cross-shaped power play with a net-front “bumper,” the PP units have looked like this:
Larkin
DeBrincat-Raymond
Seider-Perron
And Compher
Copp-Gostisbehere
Walman-Sprong
It’s a little unique, putting Sprong on the point so that Gostisbehere can roam the right wing…And I should note that on the top unit, Larkin tends to drift toward the right wing, where he’s scored two power play goals from the goal line.
2. And you’ll have to excuse me for posting what is probably the most politely, positively generic comment about the three-way race between the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings for an Atlantic Division playoff spot via ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski. Greg discusses a gaggle of topics (i.e. many topics) during his “NHL 2023-2024 season guide,” including this comparison of the three rivals:
The Atlantic Division bubble: If the Bruins falter, or another of last season’s Eastern Conference playoff teams struggles, all eyes are on a trio of Atlantic Division teams that have been rebuilding towards getting back to the playoffs.
The Buffalo Sabres have garnered the most interest, having not made the playoffs since 2011. They have a newly minted star center in Tage Thompson and two great young defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.
The Ottawa Senators also have a breakout star in forward Tim Stutzle, who joins players like Brad Tkachuk and Claude Giroux in trying to get the Sens their first playoff spot since 2017 under new owner Michael Andlauer.
The Detroit Red Wings, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2016, hope their mix of established veterans and younger talents finally brings GM Steve Yzerman’s plans into sharper focus.
Continued (Greg’s work is quite good here); I think Wyshynski might be the first or second writer whose NHL preview hasn’t bagged on the Red Wings or lamented the “Yzerplan’s” demise with some catchy phrase.
At this point, I’ll take the compliment.
