The Detroit Red Wings roster is already facing major instability, with COVID and injuries running through the players, especially with the latest postponement. The lineup will only become more unstable at the deadline. Let’s take a look a couple of players that could soon find themselves in a larger role as a result of the roster chaos.
Joe Veleno
Veleno has swapped between Grand Rapids and the Red Wings throughout the season. He started off the season with the Griffins, but with the COVID and injury bugs striking hard, Veleno has spent more time in Detroit than Grand Rapids. He scored three goals in seven games with the Griffins, and he’s nabbed three goals and an assist in 15 games with the Red Wings. In the NHL, he hasn’t done too much to impress, but he’s also been given pretty limited minutes in a minor role.
Veleno is the first one out of the Griffins. Whenever the team has needed depth or a roster fill-in, Veleno has been the first player called up. If there’s a player primed to benefit from roster movements (whether that be in the form of trade, injury, or COVID), it’s Veleno. He will probably find a spot on the main roster by the end of the year, and it’ll start with the organization slowly entrusting him with bigger roles.
Gustav Lindstrom
Lindstrom has been really solid this season. While he doesn’t have the flashiest defensive style, he makes smart passes, takes care of the puck and is responsible in his own zone. However, fans haven’t really been able to see much of Lindstrom this season; he’s typically on the third pairing or the seventh defenseman.
After the trade deadline, fans could see a bit more of the young blue-liner. There are a couple of defensemen that could be on the chopping block at the deadline – Nick Leddy and Marc Staal (Staal does have a no-movement clause, but he can still be traded if he agrees to the destination). If either of these veterans are shipped off, Lindstrom could fill in.
Lindstrom doesn’t seem to have the toolkit to become a top-four defenseman in the league, but he could very well assuage criticism if he continues to look good in a larger role.