Detroit — Meet the 2021-22 Detroit Red Wings, with analysis from Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News.
Goalies
Alex Nedeljkovic
►Age: 25
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 189
►Stats: 15-5-3, 1.90 GAA, .932 SV%
►Analysis: Had an outstanding rookie season in Carolina, but Hurricanes were comfortable trading him away. Is Nedeljkovic the Wings’ goaltender of the future?
Thomas Greiss
►Age: 35
►Height: 6-2
►Weight: 232
►Stats: 8-15-8, 2.70 GAA, .912 SV%
►Analysis: After a slow, miserable start, Greiss gradually became the goaltender the Wings’ envisioned. With managed workload, Greiss can be a force.
Defense
Danny DeKeyser
►Age: 31
►Height: 6-3
►Weight: 190
►Stats: 47 games, 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 pts.
►Analysis: Seemingly healthy after back surgery a year ago, DeKeyser is looking like his pre-surgery self — which would be a big boon for the Wings’ blue line.
Filip Hronek
►Age: 23
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 183
►Stats: 56 games, 2 goals, 24 assists, 26 pts.
►Analysis: Hronek may not have to carry a huge load this season, thereby keeping him fresher and stronger deep into the season. One of the best competitors on the roster.
Nick Leddy
►Age: 30
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 207
►Stats: (New York Islanders) 56 games, 2 goals, 29 assists, 31 pts.
►Analysis: Showed in preseason the ability to run a power play and skate the puck out of trouble. Could be a valuable top-four, veteran presence.
Gustav Lindstrom
►Age: 22
►Height: 6-2
►Weight: 190
►Stats: 20 games, 0 goals, 11 assist, 11 pts.
►Analysis: Lindstrom has shown in limited NHL playing time he can be a serviceable defenseman who can be plugged in seamlessly. Not flashy, but also doesn’t make many mistakes.
Jordan Oesterle
►Age: 29
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 182
►Stats: (Arizona) 43 games, 1 goal, 10 assists, 11 pts.
►Analysis: The Dearborn Heights native provides the Wings with NHL-caliber depth, and the ability to play in a variety of roles. Will push for more playing time.
Moritz Seider
►Age: 20
►Height: 6-4
►Weight: 203
►Stats: (Rogle, Sweden) 41 games, 7 goals, 21 assists, 28 pts.
►Analysis: Fans have clamored for Seider’s graduation to the NHL and the time has finally arrived. Considered by many analysts the best prospect not playing in the NHL last season — and he’s looked good in camp.
Marc Staal
►Age: 34
►Height: 6-4
►Weight: 209
►Stats: 56 games, 3 goals, 7 assists, 10 pts.
►Analysis: Proved to be a valuable presence on the ice, in the locker room, and was re-signed in the offseason. Has become a trusted veteran voice, presence on a younger roster.
Troy Stecher
►Age: 26
►Height: 5-10
►Weight: 186
►Stats: 44 games, 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 pts.
►Analysis: Will be interesting to see whether Stecher can carry over a splendid performance at the world championships. Gives everything he has on the ice, and can surprise offensively.
Forwards
Tyler Bertuzzi
►Age: 26
►Height: 6-1
►Weight: 199
►Stats: 9 games, 5 goals, 2 assists, 7 pts.
►Analysis: How well Bertuzzi returns after back surgery will be closely watched. Bertuzzi’s decision to not be vaccinated raises possibility of missing nine games in Canada, which weakens the lineup.
Adam Erne
►Age: 26
►Height: 6-1
►Weight: 212
►Stats: 45 games, 11 goals, 9 assists, 20 pts.
►Analysis: Erne was the surprise of last season, providing an offensive spark that was entirely unexpected. Can be a boost offensively when playing with confidence, while supplying grit and size.
Robby Fabbri
►Age: 25
►Height: 5-10
►Weight: 190
►Stats: 30 games, 10 goals, 8 assists, 18 pts.
►Analysis: Fabbri’s time with the Wings has mirrored his previous NHL career — when he’s been healthy, he’s been a productive offensive player. But Fabbri has had trouble consistently staying on the ice.
Sam Gagner
►Age: 32
►Height: 5-11
►Weight: 200
►Stats: 42 games, 7 goals, 8 assists, 15 pts.
►Analysis: Valuable, savvy veteran who provides outstanding leadership and ability to strengthen the lineup with offense, defense. Gagner’s ability to transform his game over the years is a lesson for younger players.
Dylan Larkin
►Age: 25
►Height: 6-1
►Weight: 198
►Stats: 44 games, 9 goals, 14 assists, 23 pts.
►Analysis: Returning after suffering a scary neck injury late last season. Larkin didn’t have the type of season offensively he liked. Having Bertuzzi as linemate again could help significantly.
Vladislav Namestnikov
►Age: 28
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 183
►Stats: 53 games, 8 goals, 9 assists, 17 pts.
►Analysis: Showed his versatility and veteran poise last season, but Namestnikov’s offensive production was disappointing. Hasn’t played much in preseason, raising concerns of possibly injury.
Michael Rasmussen
►Age: 22
►Height: 6-6
►Weight: 229
►Stats: 40 games, 3 goals, 9 assists, 12 pts.
►Analysis: Few players took as big a step forward as Rasmussen did last season, displaying glimpses of being the big, shut-down center who the Wings have envisioned. He also can be a force around the net.
Lucas Raymond
►Age: 19
►Height: 5-11
►Weight: 182
►Stats: Frolunda (Sweden): 34 games, 6 goals, 12 assists, 18 pts.
►Analysis: Wasn’t expected to make the NHL in his first training camp, but Raymond simply played too well and showed a maturity to his game that could not be ignored. He has a bright, exciting future.
Carter Rowney
►Age: 32
►Height: 6-2
►Weight: 208
►Stats: (Anaheim) 19 games, 0 goals, 6 assists, 6 pts.
►Analysis: Veteran who can supply size and defensive presence, while comfortable being in and out of the lineup. Had a good season in the face-off circle, and has shown ability to chip in offensively at times.
Givani Smith
►Age: 23
►Height: 6-2
►Weight: 215
►Stats: 16 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points.
►Analysis: Physical presence has waited for his first extended look in the NHL, but a spotty exhibition season and late injury have made his spot in the lineup uncertain.
Mitchell Stephens
►Age: 24
►Height: 5-11
►Weight: 190
►Stats: (With Tampa) 7 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, 1 pts.
►Analysis: Acquired in offseason, Stephens has shown ability to fill fourth-line role with his speed, grit, and sneaky offensive ability. Looking for opportunity he didn’t get in deep Tampa lineup.
Pius Suter
►Age: 25
►Height: 5-11
►Weight: 176
►Stats: (Chicago) 55 games, 14 goals, 13 assists, 27 points.
►Analysis: Could prove to be one of GM Steve Yzerman’s best acquisitions. Suter has shown superb offensive instincts during exhibition season, with the ability to thrive on both specialty teams and good defense.
Jakub Vrana (injured)
►Age: 25
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 197
►Stats: (Wash-Det) 50 games, 19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points.
►Analysis: Suffered shoulder injury just 10 minutes into training camp, which will keep Vrana out of lineup for four months. Devastating blow, as Vrana is arguably Wings’ best, pure goal-scorer.
Filip Zadina
►Age: 21
►Height: 6-0
►Weight: 189
►Stats: 49 games, 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points.
►Analysis: Truly developed his two-way game last season, there’s no concern there, but Zadina has yet to show he can consistently score in the NHL. Needs to improve in that area.