from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
Will Simon Edvinsson make the team?
The sixth overall selection in 2021 is big (6-6, 207), mobile, skilled and by most accounts, NHL-ready. Can he beat out veteran Olli Maatta for a spot in the top four (joining Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot and Filip Hronek)? If not, would the Red Wings be OK using Edvinsson on the third pairing, where his minutes would be limited? Or would they prefer to start him in Grand Rapids, where he would log a lot of ice time and play an important role in all situations? Yzerman indicated Edvinsson would need to play a significant amount and on at least one specialty team to make Detroit’s roster. Injuries to Jake Walman (due back in mid-November) and Mark Pysyk (due back in mid-January) alleviate the logjam on defense, but the Red Wings still have Jordan Oesterle, Gustav Lindstrom and Robert Hagg competing for spots on the third pairing.
Will Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi be distracted by their contract situations?
Yzerman’s offseason signing spree did not include extensions for two of his top players as Larkin and Bertuzzi head into the season in the final year of their contracts. It’s only a question of when the Red Wings lock up Larkin, who’s headed into his third season as captain and could get an eight-year deal worth more than $8 million per season. Bertuzzi’s ability to play in Canada moving forward could help progress contract talks. It could also make him a more viable trade candidate. Both are coming off 30-goal seasons and could enhance their bargaining power with strong starts.
Will a new coaching staff ignite Filip Zadina?
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.