Detroit might have a more extensive roster compared to last season.
In a series of articles, Detroit Hockey Now is examining the state of the Detroit Red Wings as they approach the 2024-25 NHL season. Today, the focus is on the team’s depth and how it could serve as a significant advantage.
Depth is a common topic among NHL teams, and the Detroit Red Wings are no exception. However, when the Red Wings talk about the depth of their roster, it’s not just talk—it’s a reality that could benefit them throughout the 2024-25 NHL season.
“I look at our group and our team today, the roster today and compare it to last year’s group,” said Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman. “It’s a little bit different, might be a little bit better fit as far as roles for players with where they play.”
Christian Fischer on the state of the Red Wings: “We’ve got hall of famers choosing to sign contracts with us … I think that says a lot about our organization.” #LGRW
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Wherever you look, there are plenty of NHL-caliber players ready to fill roles. For example, among the team’s top-six forwards, there are five players who’ve had 30-goal seasons in the league: Dylan Larkin, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Lucas Raymond. Kane, DeBrincat, and Tarasenko each have 40-goal seasons on their NHL records.
Red Wings Lalonde Has Options
Detroit coach Derek Lalonde has several options for arranging his forward lines. Among the top six, he could pair frequent linemates DeBrincat and Kane together, leaving the 6-foot-1, 219-pound Tarasenko to add size alongside Larkin and Raymond.
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In the bottom-six group, Lalonde might continue with the effective checking line of Andrew Copp, Michael Rasmussen, and Christian Fischer, who performed well in the latter half of last season. Alternatively, he could place Jonatan Berggren on that line for more offensive potential. By moving Fischer to the fourth line with Joe Veleno and Tyler Motte, Detroit would have an energy line, as all three players recorded at least 100 hits last season.
Defense Still Deep
Even with Shayne Gostisbehere and Jake Walman leaving, the Red Wings still have seven solid NHL defenders. The top two pairs are expected to remain unchanged, with Moritz Seider paired with Ben Chiarot and Simon Edvinsson alongside Jeff Petry. Olli Maatta and newcomer Erik Gustafsson are likely to form the third pairing.
Don’t overlook Justin Holl, either. As a right-shot defenseman, he’ll get playing time, especially if there are injuries.
“He’s an NHL defenseman,” Yzerman said of Holl. “Justin was a good player in the NHL and will be.”
Additionally, Albert Johansson will be getting his first NHL experience, and William Lagesson played 40 NHL games last season.
Red Wings Have Four Veteran Goaltenders
Few NHL teams can claim to have four goalies with over 80 NHL games under their belts, but the Red Wings can. In addition to Alex Lyon and Vill Husso, offseason moves brought in Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell.
Each of these goalies has served as a No. 1 goalie in the NHL. Talbot believes that this wealth of experience in net will benefit the team.
“There’s going to be competition among the three or four of us,” Talbot said. “That internal competition is good for everyone. It’s good for the goalies; it pushes us. It pushes the goalie coaches to make us better.
“It also gives the team confidence in whoever is in net. When they see us fighting hard for that spot, they’ll want to play even harder in front of us.”
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