Sportsnet is beginning its NHL team previews with division-by-division lists of “one player who must deliver” during the 2024-2025 season, and here’s Emily Sadler’s surprising pick for the Red Wings:
Detroit Red Wings: Jonatan Berggren: The Red Wings ranked ninth in goals per game last year (3.35) but lost a little fire power this off-season with the departures of David Perron, Daniel Sprong, and Robby Fabbri. While the signing of Vladimir Tarasenko and the return of Patrick Kane definitely addresses some of that, the team will also need to lean on internal promotions to fill out the lineup and bring more offence. Is Jonatan Berggren ready to take on a larger role?
After suiting up for 67 games in 2022-23, registering 15 goals and 28 points, the 2018 second-rounder took a step back last year. He appeared in just 12 games in 2023-24, recording six points, but couldn’t stick.
With reliable goal-scorers atop the lineup in Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and hopefully Kane and Tarasenko, too, the Red Wings will need some of their younger players like Berggren to deliver on their potential if they are to take the next step into contention.
Continued; the Wings do need their third/fourth line players like Berggren and Veleno to step up and help balance out the team’s scoring.
