Dobber’s Offseason Fantasy Grades: Detroit Red Wings

Dobber

2015-08-25

USA Today Sports Images

 

Dobber's offseason fantasy hockey grades – Detroit Red Wings

 

For the last 12 years over at The Hockey News, I have reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them. Now that I am no longer with THN, my 13th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey.

Enjoy!

 

GoneDan Cleary, Erik Cole, Jonas Gustavsson, Stephen Weiss, Marek Zidlicky, Mike Babcock (coach)

 

IncomingMike Green, Brad Richards, Jeff Blashill (coach)

 

Impact of changes – The coaching style changes, though by most accounts Blashill's style is similar to Babcock's. So until we see different let's assume status quo. All coaches have their 'pets' though, so whichever young player catches his favor and maybe didn't have Babcock's, would be at an advantage.

The biggest on-ice change is adding Green. This hurts the young defensemen hoping to make the team, but it also hurts Niklas Kronwall. Kronwall posted 0.37 points-per-game after Zidlicky arrived last season, and he had 0.61 points-per-game before that. I'd expect a similar impact thanks to Green. Kronwall just isn't needed in an offensive capacity as much anymore. Adding a puck-mover like Green will also help the young starts make their mark. Stars such as Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist and to a lesser extent Tomas Jurco, Riley Sheahan and Teemu Pulkkinen.

The Richards signing just replaces Weiss, except Richards is cheaper, healthier and offers more playoff experience. Obviously a win on all counts.

 

Ready for full-time – There are lots of players close to NHL readiness, but only a couple of roster spots on defense. In fact, of the players I'll list in this section I would expect seven of them to get into at least a handful of games this year – but only two of them sticking from start to finish.

First, the aforementioned two. Pulkkinen is probably going to make the team or get called up early enough to get into at least 65 games. This is a deep squad, but also an injury-prone one so there will be no shortage of opportunities. Pulkkinen is embarrassing the AHL at this point – 61 points in 46 games last year. Sending him back there is pointless.

The other likely regular is defenseman Xavier Ouellet, who has impressed team brass with his poise and maturity. Although Ouellet showed some offensive promise in junior, he is more of a stay-at-home guy. So don't expect the big points.

And now for the prospects who are looking at anywhere from five to 35 games in the NHL this season. Without including the following players, Detroit already has 14 forwards and eight defensemen:

Landon Ferraro led the AHL in shots last season with 205. As a depth winger, he did not look out of place in three games with Detroit.

– Tomas Nosek is an undrafted Czech signed by Detroit a year ago. His first AHL season saw him post 34 points in 55 games and plus-30, while contributing to both special teams. He'll get some cups of coffee with the big club.

– Larkin is possibly the best prospect in Detroit's system. But he turned 19 on July 30! There is no need to rush him, but he's so good that he may get a few games with the Wings late in the season.

Andy Miele led Grand Rapids in scoring with 70 points in 71 games. He also signed a one-way contract with Detroit, though it's for the NHL minimum and thus could be buried in the AHL easily. Still, he's worth noting.

– Defenseman Brian Lashoff has already played 117 NHL games, but he's a victim of the numbers game. Still only 25, he shouldn't be counted out completely.

– Alexey Marchenko, a 23-year-old blueliner from Moscow, Russia, has a great combination of size and skill. He looked solid during 13 games with the big club a year ago.

 

I wasn't going to list Anthony Mantha here, but figured I'd get asked about him so I'll just say – he's probably not going to see time with Detroit this season, unless they just want to expose him to a game or two. He needs to dominate with Grand Rapids first. Last year he had too much going on, what with injuries, transition to pro, hype and expectations.

📢 advertisement:

 

Fantasy Outlook – As always, Detroit continues to do reasonably well in the league and they continue to successfully run their conveyor belt of prospects into their system. That reliability counts for something, as poolies don't like it when an entire NHL team tanks unexpectedly. Last season they finished 10th in league scoring and second in PP% (23.8). Lots to like, and just a great looking farm system too.

 

Fantasy Grade: B+ (last year was B-)

 

 

 

Order the 10th annual DobberHockey Fantasy Hockey Guide here (out on August 1)

OR

Get the Fantasy Guide, the Prospects Report, the Midseason Guide, the Playoff Draft List all for just $10 here!

 

 

 

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Anaheim Ducks

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Arizona Coyotes

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Boston Bruins

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Buffalo Sabres

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Calgary Flames

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Carolina Hurricanes

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Chicago Blackhawks

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Colorado Avalanche

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Columbus Blue Jackets

Offseason Fantasy Grades: Dallas Stars

3 Comments

  1. Jason Gagnon 2015-08-28 at 20:25

    By my count, Ferraro was 6th in shots on goal in the AHL with 235, following Arvidsson (272), Marchessault (257), Agozzino (252), Backman (239) and Thompson (237).

    • Dobber Sports 2015-08-30 at 15:31

      Correct, sorry. I read this stat near the end of the season and thought he held on

  2. tteedmundswille 2015-09-03 at 02:52

    ith a great rule that when students drive 12 months without very much damages and / or accidents they can discount 90% rates value etc.But it should be noted which usually student have to drive the automobile thereafter around the same popularity if he/she tends to make any pain the top quality discount ratith a great rule that when students drive 12 months without very much damages and / or accidents they can discount 90% rates value etc.But it should be noted which usually student have to drive the automobile thereafter around the same popularity if he/she tends to make any pain the top quality discount rate will likely be reduced.

    Several of the motor supplier while purchasing your vehicle itself supplies student automobile discount insurance in bargain premium, in case the buyer is usually aged involving 17 and also 30 and is particularly a student from the recognized collage.This version of insurances offered by the car company will likely be paying high grade free with the first year to the students and the students have to continue on the cheaper rate.This type is additionally suitable intended for students.Hence this students are supplied with a number of insurance scheme they will could select for a car.

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

Mar 28 - 19:03 OTT vs CHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 TOR vs WSH
Mar 28 - 19:03 MTL vs PHI
Mar 28 - 19:03 PIT vs CBJ
Mar 28 - 19:03 FLA vs NYI
Mar 28 - 19:03 CAR vs DET
Mar 28 - 20:03 MIN vs S.J
Mar 28 - 20:03 STL vs CGY
Mar 28 - 20:03 WPG vs VGK
Mar 28 - 21:03 EDM vs L.A
Mar 28 - 21:03 COL vs NYR
Mar 28 - 22:03 SEA vs ANA
Mar 28 - 22:03 VAN vs DAL
Mar 28 - 22:03 ARI vs NSH

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
TAGE THOMPSON BUF
JJ PETERKA BUF
JORDAN GREENWAY BUF
ANTHONY DUCLAIR T.B
JURAJ SLAFKOVSKY MTL

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
ALEKSEI KOLOSOV PHI
JOONAS KORPISALO OTT
UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN BUF
KAREL VEJMELKA ARI
JUSTUS ANNUNEN COL

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency WPG Players
18.9 NINO NIEDERREITER ADAM LOWRY MASON APPLETON
18.3 TYLER TOFFOLI SEAN MONAHAN NIKOLAJ EHLERS
16.4 MARK SCHEIFELE ALEX IAFALLO KYLE CONNOR

DobberHockey Podcasts

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

📢 advertisement: