- Moritz Seider is a finalist for the Calder Trophy
- I don't think this is too far fetched. He is showing why he was defenseman of the year in the SHL last season. Big, mobile, and can handle the puck.
- There will be speed bumps, but he will be a massive upgrade to the Wings' D-corps in the short and long term.
- He should score 30-35 points, manning the second powerplay unit.
- Dylan Larkin will have a bounce-back season
- He will lead the team in points, with 50-60.
- Lucas Raymond will score less than 45 points
- He looks poised to start the season on the top line with Larkin. He will provide some pop at times, but I fully anticipate the 82 game grind to take a toll mid-season, and he will slow down. The Olympic break could be a godsend for him, as it could be just the break he needs, just when the grind usually gets to the younger players.
- Pius Suter scores 50+ points
- Honestly, I think Larkin gets more of the minutes early, but I think Suter will eventually supplant Larkin as the top center. Whether that's this year or next is another story.
- Thomas Greiss plays more than 60% of the games
- While I think Alex Nedeljkovic has a whole lot of talent, I do think he will come back to earth a bit. Thomas Greiss had a fantastic second half last year, and I think he continues that, now that he is familiar with the defense. I think this will be something of a platoon situation, with the team riding the hot hand, but I think Nedeljkovic will be 1a rather than number 1.
Five Predictions for the 2021-22 Season
Bobby Ryan out in Detroit
Blashill has told the media that Bobby Ryan has been released from hit PTO.
Obviously, with Veleno and Raymond still skating with the team, they think the youngsters bring more jump to the lineup. I thought Ryan had a strong camp, and goes to some hard areas to play in. The youth movement is in full swing.
Preseason thoughts so far...
As we wind our way through the preseason, I figured I'd share a few thoughts.
- While Nedeljkovic struggled in his first couple outings, he looked largely stellar in the 4-2 loss to Columbus. I only say largely because this is where my observations come in. While he was making quick saves, practically standing on his head a few times, it was the first goal that I've seen a few times out of him. The puck took a funny bounce and went over his head, and he looked absolutely clueless. There was no regathering, no repositioning, just leaving the far side of the net wide open for the puck to be buried behind him. Literally, not even looking at it. Now, you can't put this all on Ned. This is where the defense needs to learn to communicate with the new goalie, and tell him where he needs to be if he is clearly unaware. But the fact of the matter is, if the puck takes a funny bounce, he usually looks lost, and bad goals are being given up as a result. Bad bounces are part of the game, but it has seemed like quite a few of them early on. Hopefully the team can help communicate with him to correct some of this.
- Lucas Raymond has looked like the real deal. His puck skills are probably tops in the organization, save for maybe Vrana. He has looked outstanding with the puck on his stick. Without the puck, it's hit or miss. Positionally, he looks good, but he's not exactly a puck hound in trying to get it back. He looks very timid defensively when the play comes his way, and instead of trying to make a play on the puck, he tends to shy away from engagement in the play. I'm sure he will learn better as he becomes more comfortable with the physicality of the NHL, but maybe the biggest knock I've seen on him yet. Still, the future is bright for Raymond.
- Holy smokes, Seider is a beast. Skating the puck, he has power, pace, and poise. Unlike a lot of defenders in the offensive zone that tend to just dump it deep, he is always looking toward the net, and I have seen so many times where he gets the puck at the blue line, drifting backward, and somehow gets it to the net. And I have been seeing it this preseason. And rushing the puck up the ice, he does it with authority. His skating is a major asset given his size, and while he doesn't have Cale Makar level puck skills, he is good enough to make some really nice plays. I can't wait to see the physical presence in the defensive zone when he gets more comfortable. He is clearly learning, taking what's given to him, and experiencing a few growing pains along the way. The ceiling is very high for Seider.
- It would be a disappointment if Bobby Ryan didn't make the team. He would clearly be one of the top-9 forwards in the organization, possibly top-6. The skill is there as it always was, and you notice him every time on the ice. Over a full season in good health, I think he would push for 30-40 points. Unfortunately, the numbers are not on his side. More on that next...
- With Raymond showing he belongs, and garnering rave reviews from captain Dylan Larkin (who benefitted from then-captain Henrik Zetterberg clamoring for his inclusion on the team), and Joe Veleno looking like he is ready to take the next step, you wonder how many spots are really up for grabs. Even with injuries to Vrana, and shorter term to Rasmussen, there likely aren't enough spots for everyone. If Raymond and Veleno are to make the team, it would appear to be at Ryan's expense.
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