If we are to assume that the Red Wings will carry 2 goaltenders, 8 defensemen and 13 forwards, the Red Wings currently have 12 signed forwards at the NHL level…
So Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen debated whether the Red Wings might utilize a top prospect like Nate Danielson or Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, a gritty forward like Carter Mazur or the speedy Amadeus Lombardi, the Wings organization’s resident enforcer, Austin Watson, or even free agent forward Eduards Tralmaks in that spot.
Here’s what Allen has to say about the “middle six” guys:
Amadeus Lombardi has the passion, drive, and determination to make his NHL debut as a fourth-line forechecker. The only issue is his lack of size. It will be interesting to see how much stronger he has gotten in the offseason. Lombardi is another player who could start on the fourth line and work himself into a scoring line position. He was a dependable, exciting offensive producer last season.
Meanwhile, Mazur has added bulk to his frame. That could help him stay in the lineup. He is a feisty competitor, likes to stick his nose into trouble, and he can score.
“I think we all know and love Maze,” said Detroit director of player development Dan Cleary. “He’s a great kid. He’s a good player. But he played a minute. Just his elbow and before that his collarbone. So he’s had some tough luck injuries here over the course of his pro life, which has been unfortunate.
“But like I tell him, I’m like, I know this sucks, but you gotta start over, you gotta dig in, you gotta rehab, you gotta keep going because he was in such a good place last year. Put in tremendous work. He’s put on good weight to his frame. He’s been able to keep it, and he’s gonna need it. But I think for him it’s just that he’s had some bad luck. And I’m hoping he can get past that bad luck, and I know he does, too, and I believe he will. ”
Continued; I’m not much of one for “thought experiments” at this time of the year, at least regarding the shape of the Wings’ roster, but Allen offers a thoughtful and thought-out exercise here. It’s worth your time.
