[Son of Sam99]

October 5th 2015

Red Wings Season Preview

Detroit, MI-

Probable Line Parings

FWD 1: Abdelkader - Datsyuk - Taresenko
FWD 2: Sheahan - Zetterberg - Franzen
FWD 3: Nyquist - Andersson - Clutterbuck
FWD 4: Miller – Weiss – Frolik

With Vladimir Tarasenko back and healthy after his wrist injury in the playoffs last year we can expect the top line to lead the way in scoring as long as the aging magic man Pavel Datsyuk can stay on the ice most of the season. Riley Sheahan will be expected to step up his game as the young centerman will be skating on the left alongside the captain Henrik Zetterberg and the Mule Johan Franzen. Shehan has been lauded for his high energy level and nose for the puck, he’ll be given a lot of chances to show those attributes this season.

Joakim Anderssson is the freshest face among the bottom six forwards as he’ll lead the third line with Cal Clutterbuck and Gustav Nyquist. Drew Miller is maybe the biggest surprise to be active on opening night as he was a healthy scratch nearly all of last season only filling in when injuries required. He’s paird with Stephen Weiss and Michael Frolik.

DEF 1: Kronwall - Quincey
DEF 2: Smith - Tinordi
DEF 3: Kindl – Ellerby

Two new defenseman will step up into the opening night roster; Jarred Tinordi and Keeton Ellerby add major size to the lineup standing at 6’6” and 6’5” respectively. Beyond the new hires its business as usual for Niklas Kronwall, Kyle Quincey, and Jakub Kindl. Kronwall once again begins the season as a favorite for the Norris Trophy and Brandon Smith will shoot to have a breakout season after the franchise rewarded him with a 4 year $17 million contract.

Goalies: Bernier – Elliot

Jonathan Bernier signed a four year $24 million contract with the Wings as an unrestricted free agent and was handed the starting job between the pipes this past off season. To the media the young net minder is excited to have the opportunity to show the team made the right call opening up their wallet to sign a top flight keeper. In the process of acquiring Bernier, former starter Brian Elliot has be slotted into the backup roll and he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to be in that position very long “I’ve been a backup before and it’s not ideal, you always want to be out on the ice making a difference. I’ll be ready when my number is called to show the league that I should be a starter.”

AHLers to Watch For

With Sheahan and Andersson in Detroit the Grand Rapids Griffins will look to a new crop of players to carry the squad to another Calder Cup playoff berth.
Corey Emmerton and Landon Ferraro are expected to share the roll of leader to the team and team executives are high on both centers, expecting them to be in the NHL sooner than later. Anthony Mantha and Teemu Pulkkinen will be the top call ups when the Wings need spot starts. “Both those guys are right there, ready to contribute at the highest level.” Rick Watkins said about the pair of wingers.
Defensive stalwarts Brian Lashoff and Xavier Oulett will start the season in Grand Rapids but it is widely assumed that both will see significant ice time in Detroit as well this year.

No McDavid

Fans looking to catch a glimpse of the franchise’s most recent super prospect, Connor McDavid, will have to wait another season to see the young star donning the winged wheel. The front office has elected to send the young playmaker back to the juniors to develop for one more year before seeing if he can compete professionally. McDavid will play for the Erie Otters for the fourth year in a row where in 2014-15 he accrued 120 points and won CHL player of the year.