Drafting is the heart of the “Yzerplan”
While Detroit has added players like Jared Bernard-Docker to try and fill the roster, the core pieces are coming from the NHL draft.
Criticisms regarding free agent additions have been leveled by fans, but drafting for the Red Wings has improved since 2019.
Last season, fans saw what may be the heart of the rebuild with the performances of four players. Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper all held significant spots on the roster. The table has been set for those players to continue to add to their value in the organization.
Four players in four critical positions for the team to see success going forward. Seider and Edvinsson look to be the future top pairing for Detroit’s defense. Lucas Raymond is the organization’s most complete winger with both scoring and 200 ft play. Marco Kasper has shown skill and tenacity that saw him grab ahold of the 2nd line center position.
The future on defense is bright
While the Red Wings have multiple areas that need to be addressed, the blue line is currently the greatest challenge. A league worst penalty kill usurped the efforts of a strong power play last season. While efforts to upgrade via free agency have largely fallen short, the internal development is much more promising.
The selection of Moritz Seider in 2019 at sixth overall caught much of the hockey world by surprise. Fortunately for Red Wings fans, Seider has taken the reins as the teams top defender. Last season, the 6’3” right shot defender averaged 25:04 on ice with a healthy amount of defensive zone starts. For the past four straight seasons he has played in 82 contests. He could easily be the next to wear the “C” for the winged wheel.
Simon Edvinsson’s selection in 2021 was a pleasant surprise. Also selected at sixth overall, the then 6’4” left shot blue liner drew comparisons to Victor Hedman. In the months after his draft Edvinsson grew 2 more inches and now stands at 6’6”. His skating belies his frame, and his increased physicality is a welcome sight. He averaged 21:07 last season and saw minutes paired with Moritz Seider at points through the season. These two may make up Detroit’s top tandem for the next several years.
Lucas Raymond and Marco Kasper
Lucas Raymond’s selection at 4th overall had some mixed initial reaction. This was due, in part, to Detroit’s “lottery landslide” having slid from first overall to fourth in the annual drawing. Raymond, however, proved to be a fantastic pickup for Steve Yzerman.
Raymond not only made the roster at 19, but he secured a spot in the top six. He scored 23 goals in his initial outing, dropped to 17 in year two, then exploded for 31 in year three earning a max term contract with Detroit. He’s played 82 games in three of the past four seasons, playing in 74 in his sophomore season. Raymond has become a strong and reliable scorer with a strong 200 ft game.
Marco Kasper, many felt, should have made the main roster out of camp last season. He was initially slated for Grand Rapids, but ended up playing 77 games for Detroit. His initial service was on the wing of Dylan Larkin, but he was moved to center on a line with Alex Debrincat and Patrick Kane. That was, arguably, Detroit’s best line in the second half of the season.
Kasper’s 19 goals and 18 assists don’t tell the full story of his growth. 17 of those goals came after the coaching change in late December. With a strong start, it seems reasonable to expect an increase in scoring and continued deployment in the top six. Kasper took advantage of an opportunity and forced Detroit to keep him in the NHL.
The upcoming season will have a solid focus on internal growth and development. The group of Seider, Edvinsson, Raymond and Kasper should be at the forefront of improvement in the rebuild if the team is to find success. Their growth and presence is the strongest testament, thus far, to the rebuild.
