Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Red Wings Need Another Scorer; Power Play Struggling
Whether the Detroit Red Wings’ interest in Artemi Panarin was minimal or quite serious didn’t matter because Panarin’s no-trade clause allowed him to go where he wanted to go. It wasn’t Detroit.
But watching the point-per-game scorer land with Ken Holland’s Los Angeles Kings is a reminder that a top four defensemen isn’t Detroit’s only need. Even if it isn’t a center, the Red Wings could use another scorer. The Red Wings last five games, including Thursday’s 4-1 loss to Utah, highlighted the need for an offensive booster shot.
Averaging 2.97 goals per game, the 20th-ranked Red Wings offense is a below average group. But the more telling statistic is a 27th ranking in five-on-five goals. They have 99 in 58 games. That’s an average of 1.7 even-strength goals per game. You can’t, and shouldn’t, win many games with a scoring rate of 1.7 five-on-five goals per game. But they have been saved this season by one of the NHL’s top power play groups and stellar John Gibson goaltending.
But with the power play in a 2-for-23 (8.6%) slump heading into the Olympic break, the five-on-five problem now looks frightening. The Red Wings only scored seven goals in the final five games before the break and lost four of them. They need another proven scorer for their top six, or even to play on the third line to make it more dangerous. The Red Wings have to do more than help the defense.
Red Wings In Case You Missed It
Detroit 30-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat also leads the NHL in missed shots.
Defenseman Olli Maatta isn’t finding the love in Utah he had in Detroit.
Former Detroit puck-moving defenseman James Morrison is dead at 94. Played on a pairing with Red Kelly
Red Wings Extra
Former Detroit player Riley Barber (2021-22) is still second in the German League (DEL) scoring race with 27 goals and 29 assists for 56 points in 44 games. Another ex-Red Wing Taro Hirose is seventh with 47 points. Another former Detroit player Austin Czarnik is seventh in the Swiss League scoring race with 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points in 45 games.
Hockey Now Digest
Florida: Brad Marchand returned to the Florida lineup and of course the Panthers beat the Boston Bruins. Florida Panthers.Â
New Jersey: The Devils added Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues as a depth center. New Jersey Devils.Â
Pittsburgh: Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones was suspended 20 games for testing positive for a performance enhancing substance. Pittsburgh Penguins.Â
I hope they make the playoffs. On another note, it would be nice if they can add some players. Trochek or even EP40. Robert Thomas would be most ideal. But who knows what player is actually available. The team has not played well lately other than the game in Colorado. They must really pick it up. But I think the confidence factor will rest on the GM. He needs to make some moves. Of course, if nothing is solid then it is understandable. We will see soon enough.
I hope they stear clear of the Expensive Petersson reclamation project. Thomas would be great. Trochek would be alright, I think he has 2 years left in his deal.
Just to change the subject a little bit. I don’t really follow baseball very much anymore but in 1968 I would eat, sleep, and drink the Detroit Tigers. A tip of the cap to Mickey Lolich, 1968 World Series MVP. Thanks for some great memories.
I too was a Lolich fan as well as Denny McClain with his 31-game win season. As much as I liked the 68 season the one that stands out to me is the 84 season starting out with a 35/5 record. RIP Mickey.
I was able to get to a couple games in the 68 season and even got Denny McClains autograph at an event at Eastland shopping center. I had moved out of state long before the 84 season but saw the Tigers a couple times that year in Anaheim CA.
One of the best teams ever. Was a great season
Thank you for reminding all of us.
Way to go dude! Lets vote down the mention of a sports icon and local hero’s passing. Classless individual.
Avast Wingers!
Another cheery article regarding the current state of affairs about our rock bottom 1.7 even strength five on five goals per game. Wow, we are not looking good! The Yaz plan had better kick something into high gear and get us a top-drawer defenseman and another quality goal scorer in here or we might be looking at a decade of sucking gas playoff hopes.
PBB
Trying hard to find something positive to say before this break. Well I suppose it’s good that older key guys like Gibson are going to get a lot of rest . But let’s face facts folks. All of us here are worried. The roster needs to be strengthened. Look what happens when one key injury (ED) pops up. This roster is still weak, and it will show more down the stretch, especially if another key injury pops up , which is a distinct possibility. SY must improve this roster. Competition isn’t going to sit and wait for the Red Wings to magically improve. I would say that this year of all years, if the playoffs are missed again , will be the most upsetting one.of the last miserable decade. Bouncing players back and forth between Grand Rapids and Detroit is not going improve the roster. If the SY can add some solid NHL depth , then the team could have a shot.
The good news is that Simon Edvinsson will be back. I think they will try and add by all means. Who is available as you know is going to be the issue?
What do you give up for rentals? Hopefully, only picks. Supposedly they were seeking to acquire Luke Schenn. EP40 would be nice, but is Vancouver really going to move him. However, even so he must agree to it and for the team being the Red Wings. The big fish (Robert Thomas) if truly available would be great. Faulk would be nice, but is he available? Do you give up a top prospect and a 1st for him? He is 33. I am not sure if I would give up that much for him. Thomas is another matter of course. Finally, the only other person out there is Trocheck. What do you give up for him as well? He is 32 and will be 33 over the summer.
My question to you would be, who do they add? Who is out there?
Personally, I would be happy if they brought up MBN and forget about the ELC.
RW: Trocheck would be a good ad and would fill one of their most pressing needs. Tough and gritty and plays a 200 ft game. The man also knows what he’s doing in the circle. He also is signed for a couple more years at a reasonable price. I would look at him as a solution, not a rental. Myself I’m not sold on Danielson, so if that’s a piece of the price … I’m okay with it.
I hear ya,
As of now MBN hasn’t produced much offense at the SHL or AHL levels, he needs more time. Lots of skill and size but doesn’t score at a level that matches his physical talents. Hopefully that will eventually come, but some players are just not goal scorers.
In the SHL, we typically do not see high scoring. Raymond was not that high in terms of scoring in the SHL. When you look at MBN in the AHL, he is doing very well. He got moved around on the lines in the AHL due to more seasoned players there. He would be fine with a call-up.
No goals and three assists his last 12. He has great potential but a full season in GR will do him good, no need to rush, let him learn to be a pro, it will serve him well.
Seems like we have been hearing the same thing for nine years.