Red Wings coach Todd McLellan wants the Wings to become “harder and firmer” to play against, and Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that three players, one new to the organization and two young prospects, might accentuate a game that’s more crash-and-bang:
“Now we’ve got to get some other guys that are on our roster that can provide us that and become heavier and harder to play against,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “Then collectively we might score more by doing that.”
The Red Wings ranked 22nd in the league in scoring last season and 29th at just over 17 hits per game. More hitting also creates a mental edge, undermines an opponent’s puck-moving and forces turnovers. Turnovers brought about by a heavy forecheck can lead to goals.
“If I can do what I can do and bring that role, I think guys can feed
off it well,” [Keegan] Kolesar said.Kolesar has averaged 262 hits per season for the past five seasons. Physical play has always seemed contagious.
“I would hope so,” Kolesar said. “I think there’s a room full of proud guys in here that want to turn things around. Maybe the first step is bringing what I can, and see who wants to follow along. The Red Wings do have some young hitters, like Marco Kasper (who led the team in hits), Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Emmitt Finnie, plus veteran Ben Chiarot.
Prospects Carter Mazur and particularly Michael Brandsegg-Nygard could both add prickliness to the lineup.
“Nygaard’s going to make our team harder, assuming he makes the team, which I think he can,” McLellan said. “He’s going to make our team play a little harder.”
Continued; a little “heaviness” can’t hurt.
