Detroit — There have been many disappointing things concerning the Red Wings during the last seven years, aside from missing the playoffs.
But a common, irritating thread among all seasons for most fans, and the Wings too, was a weak power play.
On paper, at least, some of the rosters should have been more effective with the man advantage, but they weren’t, which contributed to overall offensive issues and ultimately stockpiling losses every season.
Last season, the Wings ranked 17th (of 32 teams), with a 21.1% success rate. It was actually their best season since 2014-15 (23.8%). As the Wings gradually rose in the standings, a better power play helped.
With the opening of training camp in three weeks, the Wings have the potential for a much more dangerous power-play unit. Which in turn, possibly, could help a push toward the playoffs.
General manager Steve Yzerman’s off-season acquisitions have provided the coaching staff with much more depth, different options to look at, and the potential for two equally effective units.
“Potential being the key word,” Yzerman said after he completed his summer acquisitions. “We have more options. We have more left and right shots, a bit better balance. I would hope that both units are a little deeper and we can put both units out there and be a little more effective, and in turn, bump that power-play percentage up a little bit.”
Gone from last season’s roster are Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakub Vrana, Dominik Kubalik and Filip Hronek, though the contributions from Bertuzzi and Vrana were limited because of injuries and in Vrana’s case, off-ice issues. Hronek was dealt at the trade deadline.
Added this summer were forwards Alex DeBrincat, J.T. Compher, Daniel Sprong and defensemen Jeff Petry and Shayne Gostisbehere, all of whom have been effective on the power play on previous teams.
“The biggest thing for power plays is familiarity, just playing with each other,” said Gostisbehere, who has earned 140 of his 311 career points on the power play. “You get a comfort level playing with guys. You know where the outs are, know where a guy is going to be. Obviously, puck movement and chemistry are big things, but for any good power plays, you see that they’ve been together for a while.
“The way they move the puck, they just know where everyone is going to be. You get used to guys and it helps a lot.”
Five of Gostisbehere’s 13 goals last season came on the power play, and 34 of his 87 career goals have come with the man advantage. He’s generally considered to have one of the harder and more accurate shots in the NHL.
“Gostisbehere can really shoot the puck,” Yzerman said. “He has been on good power plays. He can score from back there, so it gives the coaching staff another option and a left-shot option (with Moritz Seider) on the top.”
Another key acquisition is DeBrincat, the Farmington Hills native, who has 63 career power-play goals over his six-year career in Chicago and Ottawa.
“There’s still a lot of great players on the power play and we can just build chemistry throughout the year and be a top team on the power play,” DeBrincat said during his introductory press conference. “A lot of games are won on special teams, so if I can bring that little extra threat on the power play, I’m doing my job.”
Six of Sprong’s 21 goals last season in Seattle were on the power play. In Sprong, DeBrincat and David Perron, the Wings have three prolific right-handed options for a one-timer from the left flank. Sprong, too, is generally considered to have one of the hardest shots in the league.
“I’m a shooter; that’s something I can really help the power play with,” Sprong said during his introductory Zoom call. “I can get off that one-timer pretty well and control it on that side, as well. Hopefully, I can bring an impact to the power play.”
Nine of Petry’s 31 points last season in Pittsburgh were on the power play. One hundred of his 353 career points have been on the man advantage, where his passing and ability to find open creases have stood out.
“There’s a good balance on that back end,” said Petry (Orchard Lake St. Mary/Michigan State) of the Wings’ defense. “Everyone has different skill sets that come into play. That balance is exciting to see.”
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