We’ve been following the media’s coverage of Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde’s appearance at the team’s “Summer Hockey in the D” event, and the coach’s comments regarding his team’s offseason additions, the state of the team’s defense and goaltending, and the need to re-sign Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider before training camp begins in a month.
This evening, DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills ties a bow on the coverage with a from-the-team article discussing Lalonde’s remarks, including the following comments:
“I think we did a good job addressing some holes,” Lalonde said. “It feels like guys may be slotted going into the year a little bit. I think we did a good job addressing some offense, which is very important. It’s just exciting. All I’ve known since coming here is progression.”
Lalonde said expectations have been raised after Detroit just missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
“This is all part of the process,” Lalonde said. “Expectations have changed because we flirted with getting there — 91 points. We just want a little bit more from everyone. It’s going to be all about a good start.”
For the Red Wings to take another step forward this season, Lalonde said every player must be committed to improving their defensive game.
“We made strides last year,” Lalonde said. “A lot of that was because we were able to find some goals, but obviously I think the numbers speak for themselves. We were a top-10 team in goals scored but bottom-10 in goals against, so we’d love to improve that goals against.”
Detroit added to its blue-line depth this offseason by signing Erik Gustafsson to a two-year free-agent contract and William Lagesson to a one-year free-agent contract on July 1. And prospect Albert Johansson, who inked a one-year, two-way deal on June 19, is expected to compete for a Red Wings roster spot during Training Camp next month.
“I think we were very fortunate last year in staying healthy on the back end, but we’ll need that depth,” Lalonde said. “All eight (defensemen) are very capable. I’m very excited about Simon (Edvinsson). His play towards the end of the year last year was exciting.”
Continued; here’s hoping that we can now move on to the next thing.
