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Red Wings On Course to Have All-Yzerman Draft Picks on Defense

Check out the video of why Albert Johansson has grabbed a spot in the top four

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William Wallinder, Griffins

The Red Wings have won four consecutive games and defenseman Albert Johansson has averaged 20 minutes and 19 seconds per game.



Before Christmas, Johansson was a player who’d rarely get into the lineup. Now, he is a player that looks indespensible.  Here is a video that explains why Johansson looks like he can be one of Detroit’s top four defensemen for years to come:

Under McLellan, the Red Wings are 12-4-1 going into tonight’s game in Calgary. They have given up two or fewer goals in 11 of those games (64.7%). Albert Johansson is playing a role in Detroit’s improved defensive play as the video shows. He’s quality one-on-one defender.

Three of Detroit’s top six defenseman are now GM Steve Yzerman draft picks, and those numbers are going to grow over the next two season. Axel Sandin Pellikka, a gifted offensive defensemen, could make the team next season at some point.

Red Wings Growing Big D

Six-foot-5 Finnish defenseman Antti Tuomisto is in his second season at Grand Rapids, and pro scouts tell Detroit Hockey Now they believe he has a chance to play in the Show.

“He’s been steady for us defensively, he’s been steady for us moving pucks, and that’s one of his biggest attributes, the way he sees the ice and can distribute the pucks,” Watson said. “He makes great passes. He sees it extremely well.”

Watson said what Tuomisto is working on now on his footwork and his mobility.

“He understands that and knows that,” Watson said. “So he puts himself in position to have success defensively. Again, with the length of a stick, you know, his angling, the way he is around our net right now, he’s got that intensity that maybe that he lacked a little bit last year, that’s growing and you have to build on that. That’s just not something that happens overnight. You have to do that consistently. So through practices, through games up to this point.”

Watson is seeing it from Tuomisto.

“I do see more consistent intensity, inside our own zone when he doesn’t have the puck, and that’s going to help him,” Watson said. “He’s going to have to defend. He’s have to learn to defend really hard if he wants to make it to the next level, which he is.

“And then again, just be that, be that puck distributor that he is.”

Wallinder’s Offense Coming

Another Swede,William Wallinder, is showing in Grand Rapids he’s not far away from being ready.

“(When) I think for him, again, it’s growing, the intensity and, and moving his feet,” Watson said.  “When he moves his feet, he’s an elite skater. He’s one of the best on our team, if not the best defenseman at closing gaps, using his stick. He’s right there.”

Watson just wants to see more consistent intensity from Wallinder.

“And it’s been happening too, around the net.” Watson said. “I’m starting to see him play a little bit harder on guys after scrums, after the whistle, things like that, where he’s not backing away, he’s not backing down, he’s ending plays. And that’s another thing too, is being hard to end plays to stop pucks, to stop people’s feet from moving in the D zone so we can get out through the neutral zone.”

Watson likes to view footage of Wallinder skating through the neutral zone.

“It’s actually really fun to watch,” Watson said. “And I do think there’s more offense there from him as well. I think he can move his feet more along the blue line, create more offense and, and that’s going to help propel him up to next level.”

Shai Buium is in his first season with the Griffins, but he’s getting on the NHL trek. He’s already on the power play.

It seems clear that the Red Wings are on a course to have all Yzerman draft picks on the defense by next season or the season after that.

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Ken

If Lalonde was still here, Albert would still be sitting. Anton is another good one.

AKscott

I think Wallinder has some big upside because of his smooth powerful skating stride. He looks like a bigger Miro Heiskanen in transition, just really smooth and effortless acceleration. I think as his confidence grows, he’s going to use that skating as more and more of an advantage.

Gord Cheswick

Well fans – it sounds like DRW has the back-end covered. D men galore – and three very good goalies in Cossa, Augustine and Gylandet.
NOW – we have to find that consistent 40 goal guy!!!

Mark W

AGREE Gord, but re getting a 40 goal guy, rumors have Wings giving up too much for not enough in E. Pettersson or D. Cozens. I think S.Y.is best off waiting to close to the deadline.

Hocytwnrth

DRW have too many veteran forwards, goalies, and defensemen. Letting contracts expire and moving cap out at the trade deadline is what the team needs now. The best path to the playoffs is to sell at the trade deadline. Very unique Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. Guys like Copp and Holl can be replaced with talent already in GR Talbot is the only starting quality goal tender on the roster. Get rid of either of the other two. Both for the right return, then bring one up from GR. Now that we finally have a coach, look how the young guys are lifting this team.

JERRY

patience is the yzerplan