Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman spent July giving the roster a bit of a makeover, adding and detracting via trades and the free-agent market.
Multiple changes have been made to the team that finished a 56-game slate in May: Behind the bench, in goal, on defense and up front. The expectation is the Wings will be more competitive in 2021-22, but as Yzerman noted in late July, “We’re going to have some younger players playing bigger roles, and sometimes that can be a challenge.”
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Overall, Yzerman has balanced the mix of core rebuild players with complementary veterans and fresh faces.
Yzerman used free agency to add forward Pius Suter and defenseman Jordan Oesterle, and signed swingman Luke Witkowski for depth. Forward Sam Gagner and defenseman Marc Staal agreed to extensions before reaching free agency. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and defenseman Nick Leddy were added via trade; the Nedeljkovic trade included saying goodbye to Jonathan Bernier, who has been a rock for the Wings the past two seasons. It won’t just be new faces on the bench, either: Former NHL forward Alex Tanguay joined the coaching staff, taking charge of the forwards and the power play.
The Wings take the ice for training camp Sept. 22 and begin their season Oct. 14. Here is an early projection for how they will look:
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Line 1: Tyler Bertuzzi-Dylan Larkin-Filip Zadina
When Bertuzzi left the Jan. 30 game with a back injury that would sideline him the rest of the season, nobody missed him more than Larkin. In the nine games they played together, Larkin had three goals and four assists, a 0.78 points-per-game average. Without Bertuzzi, Larkin registered six goals and 10 assists, his PPG plummeting to 0.46. Larkin is coming off a neck injury that required hospitalization, and Bertuzzi is coming off back surgery, so both have something to prove, and they’re best off trying to prove it together. Zadina didn’t have a great season offensively (six goals, 19 points in 49 games) but he showed growth as an all-around player and had nice chemistry with Larkin.
Line 2: Jakub Vrana-Pius Suter-Robby Fabbri
Suter has good hockey IQ and hands. Vrana made a terrific impression after being acquired at the trade deadline, pumping 11 points into 11 games. He’s an opportunistic, savvy scorer, and could help Suter as he transitions to a new team. A concussion sidelined Fabbri in early April, but he said in July that he’s fully recovered. He’s been a solid, steady scoring threat since arriving in December 2019, and he adds a nice bit of grit.
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Line 3: Vladislav Namestnikov-Joe Veleno-Sam Gagner
Yzerman said in late July that Veleno, who played five games for the Wings after his season in the Swedish Hockey League ended, isn’t a shoo-in for a spot in Detroit. But Veleno looks poised to stake a claim, strengthened by the experience he gained playing for Malmö and by gotten significantly stronger. Gagner is a good fit because he’s a savvy veteran who keeps things calm. Both he and Namestnikov can take faceoffs if needed.
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Line 4: Givani Smith-Michael Rasmussen-Adam Erne
Rasmussen took advantage of the opportunity he got last season to show he’s ready for the NHL. He’s filled into his 6-foot-6 frame and uses it to protect the puck. Smith brings physicality and the willingness to fight on behalf of a teammate. Erne is another thick body, and he rediscovered his scoring touch last season. This has the potentially to be a heavy line that grinds down opponents.
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The others
Jonatan Berggren, the No. 33 pick in 2018, is the sort of creative forward the Wings need, and he’s got a good shot and drives the net. He is, however, waiver exempt, so he’d have to have a phenomenal camp to earn a spot in the lineup out of camp. Lucas Raymond, the No. 4 pick in 2020, projects to need some time in Grand Rapids. Mitchell Stephens, a late-July trade acquisition, could push for a spot in the bottom six. Veteran Frans Nielsen was on the outside looking in when training camp began last season, and probably will be the 13th forward. If it comes down to it, he could be placed on waivers and assigned to the minors. There’d be a little north of $1 million in salary cap relief, but the bigger gain would be a roster spot.
Defense pair 1: Nick Leddy-Filip Hronek
Leddy is a puck-moving defenseman and top-notch skater, and should pair well with Hronek. Hronek has had a tough couple seasons, having had to take on the role of team workhorse after Danny DeKeyser was lost to a back injury eight games into the 2018-19 season. That overburdened Hronek, who is only 23. Leddy, 30, will provide balance, and take some of the pressure off of Hronek.
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Pair 2: Marc Staal-Moritz Seider
It made all the sense in the world to bring back Staal: He’s a 6-4, 209-pound veteran who does tons of little things to disrupt plays, and provides a calming presence. He’s played in 948 games, and with that wealth of experience should form a perfect partner with Seider, who is poised to make his NHL debut. Seider, 6-4, is coming off a SHL Defenseman-of-the-Year performance. These two could be fun to watch, because they both play with some bite to their game, and neither is prone to backing down.
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Pair 3: Jordan Oesterle-Troy Stecher
Oesterle brings a well-rounded game to the equation, with potential for providing some offense. Stecher was exposed in the expansion draft, but the Seattle Kraken preferred Dennis Cholowski, a first-round pick from 2016. Stecher was a healthy scratch at times last season, but he’s a hard worker and can skate the puck out of danger.
The others
DeKeyser played 47 games last season, but he hasn’t been as effective since back surgery in December 2019. Gustav Lindstrom is 22 and has only played 29 NHL games. He plays a fairly smart, safe game, but he may be an extra when the season begins. He’s no longer waiver exempt, so he’ll have to be on the roster.
Goaltending: Alex Nedeljkovic and Thomas Greiss
Greiss struggled at the start of last season, but righted himself in the second half. Nedeljkovic comes to a new team eager to cement his foothold in the NHL after a Calder Trophy finalist performance. Until there’s a reason to do otherwise, expect them to rotate starts when the season begins.
Summer reading
What: “The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings.”
Author: Helene St. James, who has covered the Red Wings at the Detroit Free Press since 1996. Foreword by Chris Osgood, winner of three Stanley Cups as a Wings goaltender.
Publisher: Triumph Books.
Pages: 336 pages (paperback).
Price: $16.95.
Availability: Available in leading bookstores and online from booksellers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
About the book: “The Big 50” brings to life the men and moments that made the Red Wings such a dynamic and iconic franchise for nearly a century. The book features never-before-told stories about the greats such as Howe, Yzerman, Lidstrom and Lindsay, the near-greats beloved by fans and the great memories of Fight Night, the Fabulous Fifties, the Team for the Ages, the Grind Line, The Joe and much more.
Get it signed! For a personalized copy of “The Big 50,” contact St. James at hstjames@freepress.com
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her book, The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.