Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Stock Index: Roller Coaster of Returns

Published

1 year ago

January 15, 2023

Nate Brown

The Detroit Red Wings have some players coming back, some in roster limbo, and some who still have some time to work through injury.

Mixed into all of it is an up and down streaky team that saw them defeat Toronto only to lose to Columbus Saturday.

Roller coaster is the best descriptive of this team’s ride. All that remains is whether it ends well.

Here’s a look at where some players stand in this week’s Stock Index.

Up: Robby Fabbri

He’s been a breath of fresh air with three goals in five games, chipping in for a team that was sputtering at times offensively. No one was sure how Fabbri would respond after a long layoff due to a knee injury, but he’s been a tonic for the Red Wings during a challenging stretch.

Holding: Tyler Bertuzzi

There hasn’t been much statistically, and Bertuzzi’s presence and grit has been noted. In three games, he hasn’t registered a point, and to be fair, it may be some time before the offensive force many fans were accustomed to returns. This will likely change as Bertuzzi gets closer to the version that scored 30 goals last season. But it’s interesting to watch as his contract is set to expire and the trade deadline inches closer.

What will his value be? Will Bertuzzi remain with the Red Wings? Certainly a storyline to keep an eye on.

Up: Alex Nedeljkovic

A 27-save performance against the Chicago Wolves underscored another strong showing for the veteran netminder in his conditioning stint. It’s looking more likely Detroit will carry three goalies when Nedeljkovic is deemed healthy to resume the NHL workload.

Down: Jakub Vrana

After missing a couple games as a healthy scratch, with veteran AHL rules a result, Vrana recorded just one shot in the Griffins 1-0 victory over Chicago. In seven games, Vrana has an assist.

In the words of Buffalo Springfield….. “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear”@DetroitRedWings forward Jakub Vrana a healthy scratch again tonight (veteran rule????). Alex Nedeljkovic @alexned_ back between the pipes for GR. @griffinshockey host Iowa pic.twitter.com/jG8kiiWQ4n

— Larry Figurski (@larryfigurski) January 14, 2023

Much has been written and commented on regarding the situation. But with each passing game, it’s alarming to see how Vrana has yet to really move the needle and while the front office seems calm about it, it surely doesn’t help maters. Steve Yzerman already sent him through waivers. Will a buyout this offseason be the eventual conclusion? It sure seems like it could be on the table.

Up: Jake Walman

Move over Filip Hronek and make room for Jake Walman. The defenseman is on a four-game point streak, with three goals and an assist in that time frame. The pairing with Moritz Seider has been a boon, and though Detroit was on the wrong side of things against Columbus, it was Walman again chipping in.

Without question one of the brightest spots for the Red Wings this season has been production from the back end.

Red Wings To Watch: Filip Zadina

A setback for the forward, Zadina is still weeks away from playing again. But it’s still something to watch as Zadina had yet to garner a point in the nine games he played. There will likely be a bit of a reclamation period when he is healthy. But a full recovery takes precedence and it is likely still some time before Zadina is back in the lineup.