Detroit Hockey Now’s Nate Brown examines the players in the mix for spots on the Red Wings’ fourth line, presuming that Andrew Copp does return to the lineup healthily during the first week of the regular season:
Givani Smith: Smith is one of those guys who hasn’t really had a full chance to demonstrate what he brings to the table. Last season, he was one of the few Red Wings who exchanged in physical battles and was often out there doing what he could to agitate the opponents. His offensive game never really got going because he was either a healthy scratch or his role was to play “heavy” hockey.
This really feels like the opportunity for Smith to make his presence known.
Joe Veleno and Michael Rasmussen: Many once slotted Veleno in as a top six forward. The former 2018 first round pick is still only 22, but looks firmly cemented as a top nine forward. But the question around him is more about whether he’ll be on the wing or down the middle. The latter certainly seems the safer bet, but perhaps new coach Derek Lalonde sees something different.
The same goes for Rasmussen. The hulking forward really came into his own during the second half of the season and arguably was one of the best Red Wings on the roster during that stretch. He, too, can shuffle between wing and center, but seems the likelier option at this point to be anywhere from the second to the fourth line.