from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

While next season will be lighter on recent prospects because they’re better off overseas, there are fresh faces who certainly look like they will make the team more competitive.

Here is a prediction of the lineup on opening night.

Forwards
Valtteri Filppula-Robby Fabbri-Anthony Mantha

We know Larkin, Mantha and Bertuzzi have chemistry, but I’d like to see Mantha with more of a playmaker than Larkin and Fabbri could fit that bill. He has played more center than wing in his career, and he’s creative with the puck. Filppula was one of many Wings who didn’t have a good 2019-20, but he has way longer history as a dependable two-way forward who makes deft passes and is sound defensively, and adds a responsible veteran presence to the line.

Tyler Bertuzzi-Dylan Larkin-Bobby Ryan

I think Ryan would fit well with Larkin and Bertuzzi, adding a big, right-shot dimension to make that line more dangerous....

Defensemen
Marc Staal-Filip Hronek

Like Zadina, Hronek is expected to be recalled from the Czech league when the NHL gives the go-ahead on training camps. He was one of the bright spots last year, showing excellent growth in his game and handling hard minutes....

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