Grading the 2022-23 Detroit Red Wings at midseason revealed growth and improvement. At season’s end, it was a matter of balancing the juxtaposition between the first four months and the last two months.
Under new head coach Derek Lalonde, the Wings played better team defense, and performed better on special teams, which was encouraging. Three players topped 20 goals, with one player — Dylan Larkin — topping 30. The team’s best defenseman grew more well-rounded, while other young players showed flashes of growth as they learned how hard it is to be a regular in the NHL. Veterans new to the team added a dose of stability.
In February, the Wings finally put together a winning streak that led to a brief stay in the playoff picture — and then they crashed. The week of the trade deadline, general manager Steve Yzerman moved out skilled forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Jakub Vrana (both of whom missed significant time because of injuries and personal reasons, respectively), along with Oskar Sundqvist and top-four defenseman Filip Hronek. Around that same time frame, the Wings lost a couple of key forwards to injury in Michael Rasmussen and Robby Fabbri. Once again, the lineup that finished the season was patched with minor leaguers.
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That the Wings (35-37-10) weren’t mathematically eliminated until there was one week left in the season left players feeling encouraged for next season. But before looking that far ahead, here are the final grades for this season.
F Jonatan Berggren: B
Stats: 15 goals, 13 assists, minus-14 in 67 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $925,000 salary cap hit.
The rookie stood out consistently for his offensive savvy, whether getting time in the top or bottom six, and earned power play time. Has the potential to be a really good player but needs to put in a lot of work on his defensive game.
D Ben Chiarot: C+
Stats: 5 goals, 14 assists, minus-31 in 76 games.
Contract: Signed through 2025-26 with a $4.75 million salary cap hit.
Played a physical, heavy game, often facing one of the opponent’s top lines. An ugly plus-minus, but that’s a group stat that isn’t always fair to the individual skater. Does a good job standing up for teammates and was second on the team with 163 blocked shots.
F Alex Chiasson: B
Stats: 6 goals, 3 assists, minus-8 in 20 games.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
Added after the trade deadline when the Wings needed bodies, he was a boon on the power play, where he contributed five goals and two assists.
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F Andrew Copp: B
Stats: 9 goals, 33 assists, plus-2 in 82 games.
Contract: Signed through 2026-27 with $5.625 million salary cap hit.
It’s a tribute to his work ethic that he played the entire season after missing camp because of core surgery. He showed the aftereffects of that in the first half, but looked much stronger in the second half. The production wasn’t where it needs to be for a second-line center and power play guy, but he was good defensively and overall added a solid veteran presence.
F Austin Czarnik: C
Stats: 3 goals, 2 assists, minus-4 in 29 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $762,500 salary cap hit.
He was another fill-in, especially so after the trade deadline. Worked hard, but he’s not an NHL regular.
D Simon Edvinsson: C
Stats: 2 goals, minus-7 in 9 games.
Contract: On entry-level contract.
The 20-year-old was brought up to get a taste of what it takes to play in the NHL. Has skill on offense, but hopefully he learned that he can’t get away with risky plays, and can’t get caught out of position, which he was prone to do throughout his short stay.
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F Adam Erne: D
Stats: 8 goals, 20 assists, minus-12 in 61 games.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
There were too many shifts where not much was happening for a guy with a $2.1 million salary cap hit. Went through waivers, suggesting he doesn’t fit into team’s future.
F Robby Fabbri: C
Stats: 7 goals, 9 assists, minus-1 rating in 28 games.
Contract: Signed through 2024-25 with a $4 million salary cap hit.
Spent the first three months rehabilitating from his third major knee surgery, burst onto the scene with three goals in his first four games combined, then slowed as he tried to keep pace before his season ended March 8 with another knee injury. Showed perseverance, but lacked consistency for a top-six winger.
G Magnus Hellberg: D
Stats: 4-8-1, 3.29 goals-against average, .885 save percentage.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
Made some standout saves on occasion, but there were too many soft goals allowed and too many nights he just didn’t give his teammates a chance to win. Started just once over the last two weeks of the season.
D Robert Hägg: C+
Stats: 2 goals, 5 assists, minus-5 in 38 games.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
Serviceable third-pair defender who generally made smart plays with the puck and played with physicality.
G Ville Husso: B-
Stats: 26-22-7, 3.11 goals-against average, .896 save percentage.
Contract: Signed through 2024-25 with a $4.75 million salary cap hit.
Was so good past the halfway point, but buckled as his workload (56 starts) grew to a career high. Dealt with injury late in the season, and came back and looked well off his mid-season game.
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F Dominik Kubalik: B-
Stats: 20 goals, 25 assists, minus-15 in 81 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $2.5 million salary cap hit.
Recorded 13 of his goals and 17 of his assists in his first 40 games. Needs to show more consistency for a guy who played in the top six and got regular power play time.
F Dylan Larkin: A
Stats: 32 goals, 47 assists, minus-7 in 80 games.
Contract: Signed through 2030-31 with an $8.7 million salary cap hit.
Consistently the team’s best forward, the captain reached a career high with 79 points. Played against top lines in all situations. Signed an eight-year extension in early March, securing his future as a leader of the rebuild.
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D Gustav Lindstrom: C-
Stats: 1 goal, 7 assists, minus-16 in 36 games.
Contract: Pending restricted free agent.
Isn’t prone to making overly risky plays with the puck, but he’s not nearly assertive enough physically to warrant time as a regular.
F Matt Luff: C
Stats: 2 goals, 2 assists, minus-4 in 19 games.
Contract: Pending restricted free agent.
Another minor-leaguer called upon after the trade deadline. Would be a good depth player to have in Grand Rapids, where he could help mentor young prospects.
D Olli Määttä: B+
Stats: 6 goals, 17 assists, minus-9 in 78 games.
Contract: Signed through 2024-25 with a $3 million salary cap hit.
Was sound defensively, took advantage of offensive opportunities when possible, blocked 128 shots (third on the team) and earned a two-year extension with his overall reliability.
G Alex Nedeljkovic: D+
Stats: 5-7-2, 3.53 goals-against average, .895 save percentage.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
A dismal first two months earned him a trip to the AHL after he cleared waivers. Recalled for the final month of the season, he looked more like his former self, but still not quite reliable.
D Jordan Oesterle: C-
Stats: 2 goals, 9 assist, minus-9 rating in 52 games.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
Serviceable third-pairing/reserve who mostly played a pretty safe game.
F David Perron: A-
Stats: 24 goals, 32 assists, minus-7 rating in 82 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $4.75 million salary cap hit.
Delivered consistency and leadership, demonstrating the small habits that it takes to be a winner in the NHL. At times took hot-headed penalties, but his overall emotion was a big plus.
F Michael Rasmussen: B+
Stats: 10 goals, 19 assists, plus-2 in 56 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $1.46 million salary cap hit.
Came into his own this season, before it was cut short by a knee injury on Feb 25. Played capably centering the third line and leaned into the defensive side of the game when he was promoted to play wing in the top six.
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F Lucas Raymond: C
Stats: 17 goals, 28 assists, minus-17 in 74 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $925,000 salary cap hit.
Some growing pains for the second-year forward, as he had to fight through being targeted by opponents. Went through multiple dry spells — stretches of seven and nine games — in which he did not score. He had just one goal over his last 18 games — not good enough for a guy who played most of the season on the top line and was a regular on the first power play unit.
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D Moritz Seider: A
Stats: 5 goals, 42 assists, minus-11 in 82 games.
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 with a $863,333 salary cap hit.
Finished with eight points less than his rookie season, but his overall improvement showed in his team-best 207 hits and 190 blocked shots. Played workhorse minutes (just north of 23 per game) against opposing top lines, and manned both special teams.
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F Pius Suter: B
Stats: 14 goals, 10 assists, minus-3 in 79 games.
Contract: Pending unrestricted free agent.
Showed his versatility late in the season when, due to trades and injuries, the Wings needed him to play in the top six. Excellent penalty killer with a knack for creating chances, thanks to his smarts and skating.
F Joe Veleno: C
Stats: 9 goals, 11 assists, minus-12 in 81 games.
Contract: Pending restricted free agent.
Plays hard physically, finishing his checks, and has shown growth in his defensive game. Needs to finish on more of his chances to become a better all-around bottom-six player.
D Jake Walman: A-
Stats: 9 goals, 9 assists, plus-10 in 63 games.
Contract: Signed through 2025-26 with a $3.4 million salary cap hit.
Missed the first month recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, then quickly worked his way onto the top pairing. An elite skater who can transport the puck and makes good plays — but, also guilty of some gobsmacking turnovers.
F Filip Zadina: F
Stats: 3 goals, 4 assists, minus-5 in 30 games.
Contract: Signed through 2024-25 with a $1.825 million salary cap hit.
Five years after he was the No. 6 pick, Zadina has not been able to demonstrate he belongs in the lineup. There’s no faulting his work ethic, but that has not translated into effective performances. Just as it appeared he was playing a bit better, his season ended because of injury.
Coaching staff: B
Derek Lalonde handled his first season as an NHL head coach with aplomb, giving honest assessments and keeping realistic expectations. He and top assistants Bob Boughner (defense, penalty kill) and Alex Tanguay (forwards, power play) guided the team to better defense by reducing risky plays, and improved both special teams. Players responded well to Lalonde, buying into the championship-caliber approach he brought with him from Tampa Bay. Overall, a solid first year.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
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Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.