Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Review: Taro Hirose’s Future

Hirose has played 60 games for Red Wings

Published

11 months ago

June 10, 2023

Bob Duff

Taro Hirose has been part of the Red Wings organization since turning pro in 2019.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Red Wings Review series is assessing every player who held a significant place in the fortunes of the 2022-23 Detroit Red Wings season. We’ll be looking at the highs and lows they experienced during the recently-completed campaign, as well as what the future holds for them in Detroit. Today, we feature Taro Hirose

Taro Hirose

Position: Left Wing

2022-23 totals (GP-G-A-PTS-): 3-0-0-0

Contract Status: Signed through the 2023-24 season at $850,000.

Season Synopsis

Every NHL team needs players such as Taro Hirose. When you hear coaches speaking to the value of organizational depth, it’s guys like Hirose that they are talking about.

Undersized for an NHLer at 5-foot-10 and 162 pounds, Hirose is nonetheless skilled enough that he can step in and fill a role for the Red Wings when called upon.

Amadeus Lombardi with a beauty of a set up for Taro Hirose 😮‍💨@betparx @PlayGunLake | #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/79GTvg4Mkv

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) April 15, 2023

“Just doing the right things every day and then when you get your chance up here just try to take a hold of it,” Hirose listed as the role he sees himself filling.

2022-23 Red Wings Highlights

Twice recalled from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions, Hirose would fill a bottom-six forward role in three NHL games for the Red Wings.

Taro Hirose posted career highs in goals (16), assists (41), points (57) and games played (71) during the 2022-23 season #GoGRG

FULL REVIEW >> https://t.co/jzcToQtea4 pic.twitter.com/7t8bmcO3HC

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 9, 2023

With the Griffins, Hirose set career highs in games played (71), goals (16), 41 assists (41), and points (57). He led the club in assists and points. He wound up tied for 11th in the AHL in assists and sixth in the league in power-play assists (22). Hirose would tally his first pro hat-trick during a 6-5 win over the San Diego Gulls on Nov. 18.

2022-23 Red Wings Lowlights

While he’s enjoyed stints with Detroit in each of his five NHL seasons, the three games played last season were the lowest NHL total in any of Hirose pro campaigns. He was good for 15 games in 2021-22, collecting 1-3-4 totals. Overall, he’s played 60 NHL games for Detroit, counting four goals and 16 assists.

The future, though, may hold more of an AHL role for Hirose as a teacher to younger forwards such as Elmer Soderblom, Cross Hanas, Amadeus Lombardi and Carter Mazur, who will be seeking to climb to the NHL level as pros.

What Does His Detroit Future Hold?

In Grand Rapids, Hirose is now sixth in franchise history in assists (124) and 10th in points (165). It will be his destiny again to fill a top-six forward role with the Griffins in 2023-24, while being on call should the Red Wings find the need for help. He’ll also be tasked with helping to mentor the young forwards coming up through the Detroit system.