I’d be lying to you if I said Detroit was going to be the most exciting team in the NHL next year. From this year to last, there aren’t a ton of major differences to look forward to on the roster. No blockbuster free agents signed, no franchise-altering prospect fell to them in the draft, and Detroit wasn’t dishing out any offer sheets. All that being said, I still think there are a lot of things Red Wings fans really do have to look forward to this season, on ice or not.
Non-Hockey Related:
Centennial Season Festivities:
Detroit’s marketing team gets an A+ as always, but the centennial marketing feels even better. Dedicated game nights to certain historic events, giveaways, and all but confirmed new jersey coming out (likely what’s in that red briefcase they keep teasing). It sounds almost insulting to some fans that the Red Wings are trying to make you relive their history to be relevant again, and I get that, I do. But I won’t sit here and say they haven’t given fans something to look forward to.
Fedorov’s Jersey Retirement:
Fedorov was before my time. However, the Russian Five documentary and all the highlights you can find on the internet could make anyone understand why this is so big. The nuance that led up to this made it all the more special. Arguably, the last pivotal piece of those late 90s teams to have his jersey retired will be the Russian. There’s a great piece on the site written about a potential return of Fedorov to the front office by Andrew Walsh, and that will be linked below.
Front Office Related:
Trade Talks:
I know nothing has happened yet, but take a look at the rumour reports that have come out. Any name from Rust to McTavish, it seems like Detroit is rumoured to be one of the teams calling. Yzerman is clearly ready to get this team over the hump by adding Gibson. For someone with the competitive drive that he has, Yzerman’s finesse work might be back on display after spending a few years being pretty tame on the trade front.
Transparency and Culture Shift:
This one feels niche, and maybe I care about it more than others do, but McClellan,Yzerman, and players like Larkin were very open in their end-of-season pressers. It makes you wonder if the tight-lipped and cliché Red Wings organization of the past is on its way out. A culture shift is needed, and maybe silent leadership isn’t the way to go. McClellan has called out players for their poor performance and praised them for great performance. Larkin and Yzerman were critical of each other, but I think they will both be better for it. All in all, for a team that seems to soil themselves every March, a mentality shift will go a long way for the team.
On the Ice:
Lucas Raymond:
No flashy header, no general statement about development, Red Wings fans should be excited for the new season just to see what happens with Raymond. At worst, Raymond will continue to be a two-way facilitator; at best, Raymond might just take the superstar jump Red Wings fans have been praying for. You hope for one last big step from Lucas Raymond, and if it comes, he alone will keep Red Wings fans optimistic, regardless of the standings.
Sophomore Seasons:
I’m counting Edvinsson in this because he is going to his second full season. Kasper, Edvinsson, and Johansson were such great silver linings from a disappointing season. Kasper could cement himself as a physical and gritty two-way center with a scoring touch; he might just make Red Wings fans feel like they saved money on signing Sam Bennett. His physicality and junkyard-dog traits will give the top six a different playstyle. Kasper is on an incredible trajectory from an elite pace under Todd McClellan, a borderline MVP-level World Championship campaign, and some flashy highlights in a summer league. Simon Edvinsson already looks like a top 4 defenceman on any NHL team, and he’s only fated to get better. Despite burning out a little at the end of last season, Edvinsson was Detroit’s second-best defenceman. With a full off-season to prepare himself, Edvinsson can continue to climb. Albert Johansson won the heart of Todd McClellan, who had high praise for him. If Albert Johansson can put together a full season of being a steady defenceman, no matter where he plays in the lineup, Red Wings fans will have a huge smile on their faces.
New Arrivals:
Is it Marner, no. But John Gibson is legitimately a huge upgrade in net, and I think a lot of fans would be lying if they said they weren’t excited to see a solid goalie in Detroit. Some people think Gibson “fell off”, but Father Time hardly hits goalies at age 32; he was just behind an awful Ducks team. Van Riemsdyk, Appleton, and Bernard-Docker are all considerable upgrades on who they are replacing. Are any of these guys world beaters, no, but a better Red Wings team is a better watch and I think you’d be hard pressed to say the team isn’t better.
Rookie Seasons:
Whether some rookies make the Red Wings like Mazur or Danielson, or ASP, MBN, and Kiiskinen have their Grand Rapids rookie seasons, there’s a youth movement coming. Here’s the personal take, I think we’re likely to see two of the five names I mentioned by the end of the season. Rookies are always one of the most likable players for a franchise, and with an influx of them in the organization, fans will get a glimpse of the future.
More to Read:
ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing – Inside The Rink
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