The NHL season lurks around the corner and before we know it, the Red Wings will begin one of their most competitive campaigns since the end of the Streak. The question remains: what will the lineup look like?
This article will try to crack the elusive thinking of Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill. If you’re into that, stick around; If you think I’m full of it, rip me in the comments; if you could care less, consider unsubscribing. Today, I will focus on the offense. Later, I will address defense and goaltending.
Line 1: Tyler Bertuzzi — Dylan Larkin — Filip Zadina
Despite some disagreement among the most experienced talking heads of Red Wings media, I think we’ll see this combination take a lot of ice time — if not in the first weeks, then as the season progresses.
The reasoning seems simple: Bertuzzi played like a firecracker in his limited action last season. While he’s coming off of a major injury, no one on the roster pairs physical love with offensive touch. Bertuzzi will play a key part in the near future of the team, and he’s shown in the past that he can handle first-line assignments.
I won’t go much into Larkin playing first-line center. Anyone who’s watched the Wings in the past five years knows he’s the most talented, consistent player on this roster. He’s going to play a lot of minutes, and that bodes well for Detroit.
While the first two feel like locks, Zadina is more of a stretch. After proving he can handle the NHL game last year, he’s going to get every chance possible to “fill their pucks with nets.” This right-wing spot could see plenty of players cycle in and out to kickstart the offense on slow nights, but I see Zadina absorbing most of those minutes.
This line should fare well against other teams. It provides offensive versatility with defensive responsibility. Their biggest issue might be simply staying healthy — a task easier said than done. All three have missed many games in the past three years, especially Bertuzzi. Considering the lack of first-line talent on this roster, all three need to stay in the lineup to give the Red Wings any chance of improving this season.
Line 2: Jakub Vrana — Pius Suter — Robby Fabbri
The second line is where things start to widen, and they only grow from here. Buckle in, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Vrana shows early returns of being a cap steal — especially after the deal he signed with Detroit. He scored eight goals and three assists in 11 games donning the Winged Wheel, and he has a finesse about his game that Detroit’s been longing for since the days of Datsyuk. Vrana is a player I can see taking Zadina’s spot on the first line, but I think he will thrive in lower-pressure, second-line assignments that could pit him against worn out or lower skilled lines. His speed is his greatest weapon, followed by his lethal shot. His ability to produce down the stretch will be tested, but I see Vrana thriving in a second line scorer role.
Suter has been unanimously crowned second-line center by various fan and media analyses. Surprisingly, I won’t buck that trend. He played admirably on a depleted Chicago Blackhawks team, scoring 14 goals and 13 assists in 55 games. I don’t know why Chicago simply washed its hands of Suter, but as a Detroit fan I am more than happy to take him. He’ll get lots of playing time in Detroit, and that’s good for both parties.
Fabbri proved his worth over the past two seasons. In one of Yzerman’s best trades so far (granted there have been many good deals), Fabbri joined the Wings and immediately started producing. He’s had dry patches in his game, but his two-way game makes up for any production lag. While he doesn’t normally play left wing, I see him playing more time on the right side this season.
This line could change dramatically over the first month, but I think it’s a safe guess that these three will get plenty of second-line icetime. How they use that opportunity is beyond guessing, but something tells me this line would be special.
Line 3: Adam Erne — Michael Rasmussen — Vladislav Namestnikov
This line continues the big, physical checking pair of Erne-Rasmussen — a duo that connected for plenty of depth offense last season. This line won’t be called on to pot goal after goal, but having that ability could help the Wings in close, one-goal games. Detroit had 22 of those last season, going 5-7-10.
Erne led the team in goals last season (shocking, isn’t it?), but I doubt he does that again. He’s got hands and loves to use them, but his role on this team will be knocking around opposing scorers and creating chances for his linemates. Think Luke Glendening without the uncanny ability to win draws.
Rasmussen proved he can play well in the bottom six. Regardless of his ninth overall selection, he’s on this team and can provide a service. Evaluations of Ken Holland’s drafting can come another day (and likely will, so stay tuned). He’ll likely play a power forward role, crashing the net and using his big frame to screen opposing goalies.
Namestnikov will likely get promoted as top six players inevitably fall to the injury bug. He’s a versatile, gifted player who knows how to score — granted he was a bit snakebitten early last year. He’s also been around the horn enough to help mentor Rasmussen and Erne as they hit the meat of their careers. He’s likely to be flipped for a pick at the deadline, but he’ll be a great leader for this line in the meantime.
This line won’t be called on to score incredible goals, and that’s OK. Locking down opposing scorers and wearing out defenses will open up opportunities for more skilled scorers, and that could be crucial for Detroit to win more games.
Line 4: Mitchell Stepehens — Sam Gagner — Lucas Raymond
This line will play limited minutes 5-on-5, but each player could be a force as fresh legs intermixed with other lines. That’s especially true for Raymond in his likely first crack at the NHL.
Stephens is a depth guy, and he’ll likely play some time with the penalty kill units. Don’t expect much scoring, but he can lock down his assignments and showed skills with Tampa in their first cup run. Not the flashiest choice, but he provides a consistent presence.
Gagner re-signed with the Wings this season, and frankly I’m all for it. He puts his heart on the ice every game and loves to play the game. He’ll fill center spots as injuries shift the lineup, but on opening night I can see him playing limited ice time in a support role. He could also center a penalty kill much like Stephens, but I think his veteran experience will be called on in more key defensive situations.
Raymond remains Detroit’s biggest question mark. Will he play for the Wings this season? Certainly. Will that be long term? That depends on his ability to gel with the roster. He will get cycled in with the top six to evaluate his ability to hack it in the NHL. He’ll stun fans with his shot, but Yzerman might play him seven games and send him down to slide his contract. Still, that cup of coffee could grow into a full pot if he possesses the right energy and scoring touch. Similar to Larkin in 2015, he’ll get a chance right out of the gate. His future this season depends on how he utilizes that opportunity.
This line won’t get a lot of ice time — at least together as a unit. More likely, they will serve as the substitutions to let better players rest. Special teams assignments will constitute much of their ice time, but they’ll still play a key role in helping the Wings climb a crowded Atlantic Division.
Healthy Scratches: Taro Hirose — Carter Rowney
To preface this, Givani Smith and Jonatan Berggren will be honorable mentions until more players injure themselves. They’ll probably get that time soon enough.
Hirose showed scoring clout in his first seven games, but much of that came from playing with Henrik Zetterberg — now off the roster. He could show potential to score at a middle-six rate, but that’s quite hopeful. He’ll get his chances, but I don’t expect him to take off just yet. He’ll be key for the Griffins, but struggle to differentiate himself in the NHL. Hirose is a AAAA player.
Rowney recently signed with the Wings as depth after the Nielsen buyout, and he’ll likely see some fourth-line ice time as a hitting machine. He can handle limited minutes and will get that opportunity with the oft-injured Red Wings. Rowney’s sacrificial play style will get him plenty of Detroit love, but he’s a firework — he’s not going to fade out of this roster quickly.
This offensive setup could help the Red Wings compete in a packed Atlantic Division, but it lacks the skill to make a playoff run. I think it tops out at sixth in the division as long as the defense and goaltending don’t run off a cliff. Those two sections will get some attention next time.
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