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Apart from being out with some sort of “bug”, I’ve spend the past 24 hours plus chewing on what the pre season should look like. I’ve continued to give some predictions with some push back (i.e. - Detroit isn’t making the playoffs) and I understand where some of you are at. This is a new year, there are new faces, and so far Detroit has a perfect record in the regular season. After several brutal seasons and several exciting draft picks, trades and signings, everyone is ready for better days. Red Wings fans, for the first time in 30 years, are dealing with LFS - Lions Fans Syndrome.
The year Detroit hosted the Super Bowl, I had a guy at church (bitterly) tell me that this was the year Detroit made it to and won the Super Bowl. And all the haters would be embarrassed. He bordered on believing it was divine providence. That franchise has been a heartbreak for almost as long as it’s existed (post season wise).
A big chunk of the issues are going to be goals scored. Detroit was 30th of 31 teams. If Vrana is healthy and gets 30 and Larkin and Bertuzzi can combine for 40, that would be a good year if that’s the top line. Austin Matthews could score 50. Whoever is on his line could score 25 apiece or more. That could be 100 goals on 1 line, and Detroit’s top 2 lines could combine for 120-130. It’s not pleasant, but Detroit just isn’t loaded with guys that can score 30+ at this point. That can change, of course.
Of greater concern at this point is that the top scorers be healthy. Bertuzzi played 9 games last year and had 3 power play goals. Over the rest of the season 2 other players had 3 total. He could have had 8 - 10 on the man advantage. Losing him hurt. Losing Vrana will hurt. Losing Larkin will hurt. All of a sudden, the guy you brought in to play 2C is your top center with Zadina and (?) as your top wings. We’ve seen what happens when other teams only have to focus on one or 2 lines. Not good.
My thought is this, play the kids all preseason long. If there’s even a chance that Larkin, Vrana, Bertuzzi, Fabbri are nursing injuries, let them heal up. The preseason is already a nightmare for injuries. The Golden Knights lost 3 players in one game (including stone) and former Griffin McIlrath was ejected for an elbow to the head. Guys are flying around trying to get a 4th line job, and physicality is the way you get it. The league is cracking down on cross checking, and Larkin’s injury from Jamie Benn may well have been a catalyst. No call on the play and Larkin needed surgery.
Other than making sure the top players are healthy, I was a little “flustered” by the Red and White game. Usually, by the end of camp, you can see some definitive marks of the coach’s system. This year, it looked like a scrambled mess. I know they are experimenting, but this lineup needs a strong system in place. The hallmark of a Barry Trotz is 4 lines that look very similar. If you have a McDavid or Matthews, you have players so dominant that they do their own thing. Otherwise, you need to see some form of what structure the players are working on.
Maybe the new philosophies are so nouveau and advanced that I just can’t recognize them (Andy Warhol meets Frank Lloyd Wright and Picasso). We’re going to find out, and in a big way. Wednesday, as the travel team meets Chicago’s lines, if there isn’t a system in place it will be fairly evident. What I’m looking for is defensive zone “collapse” with a solid outlet pass. Reduce high danger opportunities and make stretch passes to a winger. I want to see the Power play with a definitive structure on shooters, net front and puck retrieval. A PK box that effectively closes passing and shooting lanes. Something, anything.
In short, I’m more optimistic about the talent and less optimistic about the structure than in the past couple years (that’s saying something). Last year was a big step forward defensively. Yzerman has doubled down on offense as a priority. If we lose 3 top forwards again this year, it’s going to be a rough run. I’d rather a brutal preseason with Veleno and Co getting reps and going to GR with some bumps and bruises than have the top guys blow a tire/neck/shoulder and miss 3 months.
We’ll find out on Wednesday, hopefully Thursday (when Buffalo comes to town) it will be a lot of fun.
Check out my Previous Blogs:
Red and White game
Training Camp Day 3
Interviews from Seider, Nedeljkovic and Erne
Training Camp day 2
Edvinsson gets assist in Frolunda loss
Day 1 of training camp
Vrana should switch to Discover
Yzerman did a pre camp presser
Training Camp Preview
Bobby Ryan has signed a PTO Bobby Ryan has signed a PTO
My final thoughts on the Prospects Tournament
Another injury riddle tournament
St Louis had their way with Detroit
Pregame Detroit vs St Louis
Soderblom and Edvinsson combine for GWG
Detroit is looking for a 2nd straight win,
Detroit won its first game of the prospects tournament
Frolunda won 2-0
Detroit is streaming the prospects tournament
Word on Woodward talks prospect tournament
Givani Smith signs 2 yr 1 way deal at 750k
Up Close with Jared McIsaac
Griffins TV packages are available
Frolunda Drops opener, Oesterle on Wings TV
Word on Woodward with Robby Fabbri
Prospects Camp Roster and Denver Wings
Cholowski signs with Kraken
Simon Edvinsson is picking up points
10 Days Until Prospect Camp
The Atlantic Division is a bit of a gauntlet for a rebuilding team.
Filip Hronek’s 3 year extension
Who’s your newbie? 
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