Detroit has been criticized for its slow pace of improvement while attempting to return to the playoffs. Further critiques among fans will involve their holes at the top line left-wing and first pair left defense (or second pair right defense, depending on how you look at the lineup card). So with that, let’s take a minute to grade the Red Wings on how they match up to other teams’ situations. For example, top lines compare to top lines.
Top Line: C+
This ranking can fluctuate highly based on what each player on the line does. First, I look at Larkin. He was steady this past season, but not the point-per-game star that he had been for most of the years leading up to this one. If he can return to around 80-85 point form, it will go a long way for this rating. Lucas Raymond, I’m less worried about. I’m still of the mind that he will take another step this season and hang around that 90-point mark. If he proves that, again, I’m more than willing to raise the grade. But if Raymond is an 80-point guy again, I’ll have trouble moving it up much more. Finally, a lot of this grade hinges on who is at left wing. If the Red Wings bring in legit top-line talent, yeah, this ranking moves up a lot. If Kasper comes in and plays wing again, this ranking moves up a lot. However, it’s more likely than not to be Soderblom or JVR, and neither is a player I’m super comfortable putting in that role right now.
Second Line: B+
The second line is one that I like quite a bit. Kasper and DeBrincat play rather sound games with some serious offensive upside. It’s more Kane that I worry about. His speed is basically a negative at this point, and while his passing and puck skills are still top-notch, getting the puck to him is a challenge. Regardless of it being because of his lack of speed, physical play, or ability to consistently retrieve the puck, Kane doesn’t always end up with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. Now, briefly on Kasper, he isn’t without his flaws. He does need to get much better in the faceoff circle and prove that his 55-point McClellan pace wasn’t a fluke. Not to mention, Kasper generally has to bump the sophomore slump, and if he does, this line could take huge strides.
Third Line: B-
Weirdly, I really like Detroit’s third line. In my mind, it’s going to be JVR-Copp-Appleton, which is a line I love. They’re defensively responsible and hard to play against. I do have questions about Appleton and Copp in major offensive roles, but if they can take some defensive pressure off Larkin and Raymond, I’d argue that’s a bigger win. There are a lot of different line combinations you can probably come up with, and no matter who you swap, Detroit’s depth has at least one solid two-way line.
Fourth Line: A
I know this is going to be weird to hear, given Detroit’s depth was God awful last season. But Compher is going to be outclassing just about every fourth-line center in the league (yes, he’s overpaid, I’m aware), and he is going to have plenty of really solid winger options. If you want two-way prowess, Rasmussen and Mazur can be really hard to play against and push tempo. If you want offense, put Berggren out there. Hell, if you want to be physical, send Watson out to do some damage. Detroit’s fourth line isn’t just bottom-of-the-barrel players anymore. No more Motte, Fischer, Smith or Veleno. The fourth line is likely going to split minutes with the third line, given how good they are on paper.
First Pair: C+
I’m going to assume it’s the Chiarot-Seider pair again. Before I rip on him, let’s make one thing clear. Detroit needs Chiarot more than Chiarot needs Detroit. There are contenders who would love his services as a fourth or fifth best defenceman. Detroit playing him in a top-line role is squeezing a gallon of blood from a stone. All that to say, Chiarot isn’t a top-pair guy. Other than speed and the occasional bad slip-up, it’s not that Chiarot exhibits any bad traits; he’s just outclassed by the elite competition Seider faces. Onto Seider, the fact that he’s been elite given his deployment is absurd. Seider spent the most minutes of any defenceman against elite competition last year, and he did it without a top-pairing-level teammate. Seider’s cross is one he bears as a legitimate top 10-15 defenceman in the NHL (and arguably the best defensively). Generally, Chiraot is 50% of the pair, and he weighs it down supremely to a C+.
Second Pair: B-
Now, if this were purely based on last year, I would have given them a C+ as well. I do think that they deserve the boost, given that both Edvinsson and Johansson are so young that taking a developmental step is almost certain. Genuinely, Edvinsson already held his own on both ends really well, so I expect to do a lot of the same, just a bit more refined. Johansson admittedly has a longer way to go. His IQ is already quite solid, but his frame needs a lot of work. If Johansson can bulk up a little, I can see a world where the two are a genuinely average middle pair.
Third Pair: B-
This one kind of hinges on the pairing. Gustafsson feels really likely as he is the only true left shot. However, if Wallinder impresses in camp, I think he can earn a spot. For the sake of argument, I’ll say that it’s going to be Gustafsson and Bernard-Docker. I don’t think the Holl experiment is something I’d be willing to run back. I also believe Hamonic as a seventh defenceman isn’t too bad. For Gustafsson and Docker, it depends on how well JBD turns out to be. He had solid minutes on the second pair in Buffalo, if he can be a solid third pair guy in Detroit that’s already a big win. I think Gustafsson does have it in him to just be a steady bottom-pair guy; his end-of-season was decent, and so was his World Championship. As far as third pairs go, if things go right, I could see them being average.
Goalie Tandem: B+
I have this rated so high, mostly because the collective tandem is solid. Admittedly, I’m not entirely sold on John Gibson right now. I do think he is an upgrade over Talbot and Lyon; I just have serious health concerns for him. I am of the belief he can really easily prove me wrong, however. Talbot as the backup sounds really great to me, actually. When given adequate rest, Talbot was genuinely stellar. Addition by subtraction with Husso is real too, the guy couldn’t buy a win in Detroit. I like the blend that they have, and I do believe Cossa will be a better third than Husso was these past two seasons. The goalie room is far improved.
All in all, I like what Detroit is building. They have the right pieces, but they are clearly missing the top of the lineup guys. Prospects and trades always exist, so I won’t rule that out. I think some lineup shuffling done by the great Todd McClellan might be what they need to get all these grades up across the board and slip into a contested final wild card slot.
More to Read:
ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing – Inside The Rink
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