from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

Beyond coaching, there were players who turned in mediocre performances, too, especially in the second half. Let's examine who got what grade, and why:

Forwards
Tyler Bertuzzi: A
Age: 27.

Status: Signed through 2022-23 at a $4.75 million salary cap hit.

Stats: 30 goals, 32 assists, minus-11 in 68 games.

The buzz: He reached career highs in goals and assists, provided energy and grit and was missed in the nine games he couldn’t play in Canada because of his vaccination status.

Adam Erne: D
Age: 27.

Status: Signed through 2022-23 at a $2.1 million salary cap hit.

Stats: Six goals, 13 assists, minus-22 in 79 games.

Grade: Erne wasn't as productive as last season (11 goals, nine assists in 45 games) and didn’t provide energy on a consistent basis; had no power play points despite averaging nearly a minute per game on man advantages.

Filip Zadina: D
Age: 22.

Status: Expiring contract with $894,167 salary cap hit; restricted free agent.

Stats: 10 goals, 14 assists, minus-24 in 74 games.

Grade: Showed sporadic signs of productivity but went long stretches where he barely was noticeable; was given a chance to play in the top six and regular power play time and didn’t make much of it.

more (paid), all the dmen received C or D besides Seider A and Stall B+.

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,