Redwings 2024 review

[yave1964]

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Yzerman signed every vet in the Worls, like nine free agents July first and they were all good, not great but replacing people who were not. A modest improvement was expected with the hope that they would fight for a wildcard playoff spot.

 

FINAL RECORD 41-32-9 91 points, tied with Washington for the final playoff spot, Washington made the playoffs with the tiebreaker

 

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR I can argue that very few players meant as much as Dylan Larkin meant to Detroit. He missed 14 games including a horrible stretch late, without him in the lineup the Wings were a pitiful 3-10-1. With Larkin in the lineup they were an exceptional 38-22-8. There is absolutely no doubt that if Larkin had not broke down and missed a critical 7 game stretch late where the team fell apart, he would have certainly won multiple games and we would be doing the writeup for the Caps right now instead of the Wings.

 

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR Two. Signing Patrik Kane was fantastic, he played amazing at near a point a game player. They had an amzing February, culminating with a six game winning streak ending by beating Washington 8-3 pushing the record to 33-20-6. Vegas oddsmakers had the Wings at a 94 percent chance of making the playoffs. 

 

LOW POINT Larkin was injured and the team did not respond. The Wings lost their next 7, including twice to the bad Coyotes and the Sabres. Larkin came back, they straightened it out but the damage was done. Lyon who had been a world beater played very bad down the stretch. It was sickening and painful to watch as we fell off the playoff cliff.

 

WHAT WENT RIGHT Larkin scored 69 points in 68 games and was brilliant in both ends of the ice. Seider was one of five players in the game to have 200 hits and 200 blocks and established himself as a top flight minute muncher. Raymond was brilliant down the stretch and established himself as a top winger to fear for years to come. Kane was brilliant and amazing. The free agents mostly worked out well, Gostisbehere ran the power play and was great, Petry was steady , Sprong was great with 18 goals and 43 points. Fischer did a good job on the 4th line. Chiarot and Waalman were a steady influence on the back end. Compher was solid on the back end. Debrincat was a ton of fun to watch. Perron was steady especially down the stretch.
 

WHAT WENT WRONG I am gonna piss off some Wings fans, but our goaltenders were downright awful. Yeah Lyon had a nice stretch but in crunch time he faded badly and lost starts to Reimer who was not good down the stretch. Husso was ineffective and couldnt stay healthy. Not alll free agents worked out, Kostin was terrible and was dealt near the deadline. At the free agent frenzy the Wings were ripped on for signing Justin Holl to that term and money and he was ineffective and was a healthy scratch for much of the year. Fabbri had a hot stretch early but was invisible in the second half. Copp had a second disappointing season. 

 

FREE AGENTS Big news here. Gostisbehere is an UFA and the Wings want and need back. Perron is probably leaving looking at the Canadiens to finish his career. Reimer wont be back. Fischer was solid and we would like to have him back. Kane is the big one with rumors that he wants to play in Chicago again with Bedard but we have to hope he returns. Sprong was under the radar secondary scoring and wants to return.

  The problem is Seider and Raymond are RFA and both will demand term/money and will eat a lot of the cap space up. It will play a critical role in who they can return or sign.

 

 PROSPECTS There is no doubt that Edvinsson will be an extremely valuable second pair defender who was an offensive force with the Griffins and should develop as the second crown jewel on the back end. Jonatan Berggren is an absolute middle six winger who is an offensive force, he will be top six on the wing and will be a great add. Marco Kasper became stronger and more a force for the Griffins as the year went on, he will fight for a middle six position either on the wing or at center. William Wallinder will certainly play on the bottom pair on defense at one point, many scouts feel he is as good as Edvinsson. Sebastian Cossa was amazing for the Griffins and that includes the playoffs. Yzerman is not rushing him but he would be brilliant in a 1B role in net.

 

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS Will the Wings carry the loss of the playoffs carry over the coming year? Will Kane be back, and if not will Berggren and other young kids fill up the offense? Will we go with Lyon and Husso with Cossa in the minors in the wings or will we bring in a better netminder? 

 

  I see a lot to like, Edvinsson and Berggren in full time with Kasper, Wallinder and Cossa chomping at the bit for a chance. Detroit has depth everywhere and look like a team on the rise.