Detroit Red Wings Preview 2021
From 1991 through 2016, the Red Wings did not miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, our Detroit Red Wings preview 2021 - 22 notes that they have not been to the postseason in the past five years. Last season, Detroit finished seventh in the Central Division with a 19-27-10 record and 48 points. Jeff Blashill (172-221-62) starts his seventh year as Detroit’s head coach. The near future, that is the 2021-22 season, doesn’t look anymore promising for this team than the past five. This isn’t the fault of Bashill, as the Red Wings skate into the season with a list of needs and weaknesses.
Red Wings - Key Skaters
There’s hope that 20-year-old rookie defenseman Moritz Seider, the German-born sixth overall NHL Draft pick in 2019, will be a difference-maker. Seider, who got in a season of pro experience in 2020-21 playing in the Swedish Hockey League for Rogle, will likely skate on the same line with vet D-man Nick Leddy. The veteran/rookie combo could be effective. Our Detroit Red Wings preview 2021 - 22 notes that this is a young team. Its top line is comprised of center Dylan Larkin and wing Jakub Vrana, both 25, and wing Tyler Bertuzzi, who’s 26. Note, Vrana will be out for about four months due to shoulder surgery. During that time, we expect Lucas Raymond will take up some of the slack.
Detroit Red Wings Preview 2021 – Goaltending
After spending his first four NHL seasons in net with Carolina, Alex Nedeljkovic comes to the Red Wings. With the Hurricanes, Nedeljkovic started a total of 27 games and appeared in two more. In his fourth and last season with the club, he started 23 games, posting a 15-3-3 record while saving .932 percent of the shots he saw. His GAA was 1.90. Veteran goalie Thomas Greiss is in his 13th NHL season and his second with Detroit. Last year, he was 8-15-8 with 2.70 GAA and .912 SV%.
Detroit Red Wings Preview 2021 – Final Word
In developing our Detroit Red Wings preview 2021 - 22, we found that this team has many question marks. One primary issue is goaltending. Neither Nedeljkovic nor Greiss appear to be durable or reliable enough to be designated starters. Plus, in terms of skaters, there’s certainly a depth problem. True, there are promising young players, but the lack of quality second and third lines is disconcerting. However, the Red Wings are not the worst team in the Atlantic Division. We just don’t see them having enough to push into and finish in the top 50 percent of the division. Still, Blashill is a solid coach and will get the most possible out of this team.
NHL Atlantic Division - Detroit Red Wings Projection 2021
Finish: 6th
No Postseason Appearance