Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff reports that the Red Wings currently plan on icing a second line consisting of Viktor Arvidsson, Marco Kasper and Emmitt Finnie, with the 33-year-old Arvidsson setting the pace for his new linemates:
Arvidsson is no stranger to McLellan’s systems, having played under him with the LA Kings, and he knows what his ‘new’ coach expects of him and how to set the right example for the rest of the roster. The Red Wings, without an official on-ice leader, are needing to pull from a lot of different sources when it comes to establishing the identity McLellan wants.
“Just his leadership is pretty direct. He’s really structured and can push you,” said Arvidsson, “He’s easy to work with and he’ll give it to you in a really honest way.”
The Red Wings will need plenty of structure to support an offense that lost 34 goals and 91 points over the summer. Arvidsson should help to alleviate some of those losses, with six 20+ goal seasons under his belt, but the real barometer will be whether the rest of his linemates are able to follow his lead.
“Me and Emmitt are just trying to listen to him as well, and do the things we do well. He’s been great off the ice too- Just awesome guy all around,” said Kasper.
Continued; if the 2nd line works, the Wings are better off with a rebounding Kasper between the gritty Arvidsson and plucky Finnie.
