The Detroit Red Wings record is a healthy 4-1-0, but the roster is now down two players. Patrick Kane is now listed as day to day, consequently he won’t suit up against Edmonton. Kane joins Lucas Raymond on IR, and those are not small losses for Detroit.
Both players are scoring a point per game, with Kane amassing two goals and three assists in five games. Similarly, Raymond has two goals and one assist in three games played. The Oilers are already going to be a test, but now that test got a little more difficult. Hopefully, one of those players will be back on the ice soon.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka continues to stand out
Detroit’s youngest defenseman continues to impress, and it looks like ASP is here to stay. The 20 year old is being used all over the ice, thus garnering over 20 minutes per night. With five games played, ASP is halfway to burning a year off of his ELC.
The Red Wings have some stability on the right side, and it is a welcome change for the team. Seider continues to lead the entire team in minutes, however ASP has been able to take on important situations early in the year. Along with Johansson, four of the six defenseman were drafted under Yzerman’s tenure as GM. ASP, however, may be the most promising offensive defenseman Detroit has seen in a very long time.
John Gibson will start against Edmonton
John Gibson’s performance against Tampa was impressive, and it has earned another start. Coach McLellan announced that Gibson will be in net against Edmonton, perhaps the team’s toughest test so far. The team will have to be a lot sharper for 60 minutes, or else that win streak could end in spectacular fashion.
Talbot has certainly earned a breather, carrying the team at times throught their first three wins. The opening stretch of six games stood out on the schedule, and Detroit has answered the bell. The team will at the very least be 4-2-0 after Edmonton, and that’s is a promising start to the year. The upcoming road trip will be another important moment for the young team to show that this year is indeed a step forward for the Yzerplan.
There is no doubt in my mind in all my years as a Wings fan… ASP is the best defensive prospect / player since Niklas Lidstrom. At age 20 this kid has a sky-high ceiling. He’s going to need to bulk up and put some some more pounds of muscle to help prevent injury and also get used to the grueling NHL schedule of 82 games as well. This kid is going to be a star in this league. Wings still need to add some toughness / sandpaper to help protect this kid and their other star players. Montreal has done that… Tampa has as well. But not Detroit. Other teams will eventually take liberties until this is addressed.
Thank goodness LaLonde is gone and the kids are finally getting a chance to play and replace the mediocre veterans. The veteran is always first dinosaur mindset has finally left the building along with Ken Holland, Babcock, Blashill and LaLonde.
Since he was drafted, ASP has been so tough to evaluate and feel “balanced”. He just excels in every season. At this point I’m just going to stand back and see where he lands this year. He hasn’t looked out of place at all. I know he’s going to hit some lulls, and it will be interesting to see how he manages those times. But at this point he’s a solid top 4 dman.
For sandpaper, I’ve been fairly happy with the mindset going in. Edvinsson not afraid to mix it up, Seider has a lot of edge to him. MBN is willing to get his hands dirty, Appleton, even Larkin will jump into the muck. I think they’ve moved forward from where they were the past few years
ASP is a good player indeed, probably more on the offensive side than the defensive for now.
Mo and Ed are really good and solid but maybe not so creative. For now, they seem better defensively.
Lidstrom had everything : skating, offense, defense, shot, size… talent ! I’m not sure ASP will be as good, but he is fun to watch indeed.
The long season will be the toughest test for the team (already 2 – good – players on IR, Larkin in maintenance… that’s a lot).
Next headline: Wings Win Big Without Kane