The Detroit Red Wings started the 2022-2023 season with nine games in October. The month started off nicely but ended with a thud for the Detroit Red Wings. After starting the season 2-0-2, the Red Wings finished the month with three lopsided losses in the final week. After nine games, Detroit finished October with a record of 4-3-2, good for 5th in the Atlantic Conference.
Here are the Red Wings Top Performers for the month of October.
#1- Dylan Larkin
Dylan Larkin is the Red Wings Top Performer of the Month. Larkin played all nine games and currently leads the Red Wings with five goals, six assists, 11 points, and 25 shots on goal. Larkin is also the top center in the faceoff circle, winning 50.85% of his draws. On three occasions, Larking was awarded the second star of the game. On October 17th against the Los Angeles Kings, Larkin made a game-saving defensive play with the net empty. The Red Wings tied up the game but lost in overtime. Larkin routinely plays top minutes among forwards for the Red Wings. As well as playing on the top line, Larkin plays on the top power-play unit and kills penalties. He is currently averaging 20:22 in ice time per game to start the season. Larkin is now in the final year of his most recent contract extension and can become a UFA at the end of the season.
#2- Ville Husso
Ville Husso is currently sharing the goaltending duties with Alex Nedeljkovic. In five games, Husso has a 3-1-1 record, a .700 winning percentage, 2.40 GAA, .926 SV%, and one shutout. These statistics are more remarkable when you compare them to those of Nedeljkovic. Alex has a record of 1-2-1, a 4.96 GAA, and a .871 SV%. Husso is about to become the #1 goaltender for the Red Wings. Husso was obtained from St. Louis before the NHL Entry Draft in July. He promptly signed a three-year extension so he would not become a UFA after the draft. Husso is currently in the first year of his deal, with a cap hit of $4.75M annually.
#3- Dominik Kubalik
Dominik Kubalik started the season in the bottom six amongst forwards and was promoted to the top line when Tyler Bertuzzi injured his hand. With Bertuzzi sideline for 4-6 weeks, Kubalik has taken advantage of the increased responsibilities and has played with Dylan Larkin for the last eight games. Kubalik is tied for the team lead with 11 points and leads the Red Wings with seven assists. Kubalik is excelling on the power play, where he has accumulated five points to lead the Red Wings. The Red Wings obtained Kubalik in July when they signed him to a two-year contract. He currently has a cap hit of $2.5M annually and can become a UFA again after the 2023-2024 season.
Looking Ahead to November
The Red Wings begin the month of November with four out of the next five games at home. This will allow Detroit to return to where they were to start the season. The Red Wings play 13 games during November, with eight games at home and five on the road. Detroit starts the month hosting Washington on Thursday night. Game time is 7:00 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI.
