Up next in 10
Host Matthew Zator welcomes Detroit Red Wings writer Jordan Orth to The Hockey Writers Roundtable to preview the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season.
0:00 Intro
0:50 Forwards - Big Storylines/Burning Questions
5:20 Red Wings' Defense
7:20 Goaltending - Talbot, Lyon, Husso & Campbell
10:35 How do the Red Wings stack up in the Atlantic Division?
Quick Fire
12:41 Biggest Storyline/Question Mark
13:02 Breakout Stars
14:01 One Player That Needs to Bounce Back
15:27 Potential X-Factors
16:56 Rookie/Prospect That Could Surprise & Make the Team
18:45 Prospects to Watch
20:29 Who will lead the team in scoring (forwards & defense)?
22:00 Bold Prediction/Hot Take
Follow Jordan's work - https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jorth/
And the rest of the Red Wings writers at THW as they preview the season in written form - https://thehockeywriters.com/tag/red-wings-season-preview/
Check out The Hockey Writers Detroit Red Wings Substack for all the best Red Wings content - https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/s/detroit-red-wings
Follow The Hockey Writers:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TheHockeyWriter
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thehockeywriters_
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TheHockeyWriters/
THW Substack - https://thehockeywriters.substack.com/
Graphics by Vince Richard - https://www.behance.net/vincergraphics
#detroitredwings #redwings #lgrw #nhl
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Hello, everybody
0:03
Welcome into another season preview show on the Hockey Writers' YouTube channel. We're up to the Detroit Red Wings, and I've got Red Wings writer Jordan Orth here
0:10
Also covers the Penguins, if you've seen him on a previous preview, but he is also a Red Wings writer too
0:17
So, Jordan, thanks for coming on. Absolutely. Thanks for having me on. All right
0:21
Well, the Red Wings, I had a really good season last year
0:26
They almost, by the thinnest of margins, missed the playoffs. and the last day and were tied with the Washington Capitals
0:33
but didn't make the playoffs because of regulation wins, but whatever. They were almost there
0:39
So we'll see if they could actually break through this season. Of course, I have a really good team
0:46
Stillen added to it forward-wise. And so let's just jump right into the Red Wings here and start talking about their forward
0:54
group, which only added one guy was Vladimir Tarcenko. which is actually a pretty big addition
1:01
So let's start with him. What do you think Teresenko brings to this group
1:05
Of course, the Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers. Now a two-time Stanley Cup winner from the Blues, too
1:11
I had a secondary role with the Panthers, but he's probably going to have a bit of more of a role with the Red Wings
1:17
What do you think about him being added? Yeah, I think he kind of overtakes that, David Perron role
1:24
and takes that to another level. I mean, like you said, he's got the experience in the playoffs
1:29
He brings the leadership. that Iran had as well, but brings probably a little bit more
1:34
of that offensive prowess to him. So he should be able to add
1:39
to put him on that second line, say with Comfer and maybe Kane or DeBring
1:44
whatever they decide to do, it's going to be a fun top six to watch
1:48
with someone like that in the fold now. Yeah, I mean, when you're looking at where he's going to play
1:55
I mean, it looks like he's going to be slotted in with Kane and Comfer on that second line
1:58
because Lark and Ray, Raymond and Debrinke had really good stretch together and how Raymond broke out last season was
2:06
insane, especially towards the end of the season. When Larkin was out, he basically carried the team
2:12
Right. You're looking at that group that's looking, that top six looks pretty lethal at this point
2:18
And the bottom six is, as a couple question marks when you're looking at what's going to
2:23
happen with Janjim Bergerin. I mean, he's going to be traded. Could he, you know, to me, I think he needs to be a top
2:29
top six guy, but it doesn't look like that's where he's going to play this season. And then you've got they added Tyler Mott on the fourth line, which I love Mott
2:38
He's one of my favorite players, favorite bottom six guys. He was in Vancouver for a couple seasons
2:43
And I didn't like it that they traded him away. But, you know, he's bounced around since, but he's still a really good utility fourth line
2:51
guy that can kill penalties, bring a bit of speed. What do you think about this four group in general
2:58
any question marks that you have going into this season? Well, I kind of, like you said with the whole, I mean, the bottom six isn't 100% set
3:08
You're obviously going to have a Christian Fisher who's coming back after becoming one of the guys that noise kind of gravitated towards because of his mentality and his attitude and just the way he handled himself around the organization and the fans itself
3:24
But, I mean, like you said, Burgren's a big question mark because you don't know what
3:28
it's going to happen. He hasn't signed. I mean, he still got Delph in the room with
3:32
cider and Raymond not having their deal signed it either, but that's a different situation
3:37
But you, yeah, you got someone like Bergrand, like you said, should be a top six type of
3:43
player with the skill set he has, but you're kind of crowded at the top six. So he's going to
3:49
you got to pick what he wants to do, I guess, because he's kind of got that leeway at this point
3:54
as well. Yeah, it seems like there's a couple guys like that
3:58
Nick Robertson in Toronto, Bergeron seemed to be the same type of boat
4:02
although he hasn't come out and said he wants to be traded. He's a guy that could, I mean, I like Bergen
4:09
I think he could end up being a really good player in, I don't know
4:13
in Detroit though, because, you know, to where he is in the lineup, I don't know if he fits, like I've said
4:18
So it'll all depend on if he has to sign first. So we'll wait for that. Right
4:24
I like Christian Fisher, though, too. I really like that they re-sign
4:28
him because he was really good on that line with Rasmussen and Valeno
4:33
Was it Villano? Yeah. I think it was. Yes. Yeah. It was Valeno, Rasmussen, and Fisher
4:39
And they're a really good line for a stretch there. So, yeah, it's going to be fun
4:44
I think this board group's a really fun group, and especially that top six
4:48
There's a lot of firepower there. And resigning Patrick Kane, which wasn't a for a sure thing, was great
4:54
Seems to like, and then he signed for more than just one year, too. So long as his hip holds up, I think he's going to end up being a really big part of this team, too, even though he is an older guy
5:05
Still doesn't look at it, though. No, no. It's like he's prime time, showtime
5:10
Every night he's out there, it seems like. So if we can get a full season out of him, it'd be a good thing to have
5:18
For sure. All right. Let's move to the defense, which has a bit of question marks
5:23
You know, you're looking at Moritz Sider, of course, leads the way. He's the best defenseman by far
5:28
Looking at guy like Simon Evanson, looks like he's going to play a full season in the top four
5:34
But you got guys like Ben Chirot, who had an okay season last year. You got Jeff Petrie who did not have a good season
5:40
Then you got other guys that they added, Eric Gustafson. Justin Hull is, again, not good
5:46
He was in the press box for most of the season. What do you think about this defense going into this 2020
5:54
Outside of the, I think, outside of the goal titting, I think it's definitely the biggest question mark heading into the season
5:59
Kind of, again, I mean, it kind of was last year, too. You didn't know what you were going to get with Chirot having the bad start he had two years ago
6:07
He had a bounce back year compared to what he did the year before
6:11
But like you said, Hall, not. He really enjoyed that suit and tie in the stands quite a bit last year
6:18
So, I mean, if you got Oli Amada, I think the biggest
6:23
I think the biggest X factor for the defense in all reality in my mind is how Edmondson is able to play If he can show what he did in Grand Rapids for time he was down there and translate it to the NHL
6:36
I think that's going to make a world of the difference with that top board of the defensive unit
6:42
Yeah, I mean, we've been climbing to have Edmondson play a full time up in the league
6:47
I mean, bouncing around going to Grand Rapids quite a bit. He should have been on the team last season
6:54
But, I mean, he was, but he wasn't there from the beginning. And they adding veterans again
7:00
I mean, Gustafsson's an okay ad. I mean, they lost Goss despair. So he's basically their replace his replacement
7:06
I mean, it could be on the power play. But yeah, it's a big question mark of how this group's going to be
7:11
And I think that's going to be the biggest reason why or why not they make the playoffs is this defense
7:18
And of course, we'll talk about now, the goaltending. You know, you're looking at last season, there was a third
7:24
three-headed monster. I don't know if we want to call it a monster because it wasn't very good, a three-headed
7:29
Although Alex Lyon was good at the end of the season, but I think he was overworked
7:34
But then now this season, you've got another potential three-headed monster. They added Cam Talbot, Billy Huso, we're not sure about him, and then Alex Lines
7:44
still here. And then they also added Jack Campbell to probably playing the HAL, most likely
7:50
So we're four goaltenders. What is this goal tending? I mean, it's a question mark, but what do you make of it right now
7:59
I mean, I don't, a lion, like you said, he was overworked last year, bringing in
8:05
Talbot that it's going to lessen the load that both of them are going to play
8:09
It's Talbot's coming in. He had a good year in L.A. You got to look at the team L.A. had in front of them, too
8:14
He had a more solid defensive unit in front of them. Is he going to be able to replicate any of those numbers he did last year
8:21
Maybe not, but if he can play. Rimer wasn't awful for the wings last year
8:26
He had stretches where he definitely didn't look great. But if he can come in and take another step off of where Rimer was, like I said
8:35
give that mode a little bit less to Lyon. I think it's going to help out
8:39
I don't, who so is a question mark. It seems every the last two seasons
8:44
He comes in. Oh, yeah, he's healthy. He's healthy. And then, oh, he's hurt again
8:48
How do we know what we have when he can't. stay healthy on the ice
8:52
I mean, it'd be great for him to stay healthy. But then you run into the problem, okay, who's going to start
8:59
They don't have that clear, 100% clear cut number one goalie at this point
9:05
But then, I mean, do you think Jack Campbell has any, like, is he a guy just for the
9:11
HL, maybe mentor, you know, COSA? Is that the reason they signed him
9:16
Or are they hoping for something more with him? It might be a mix of both
9:20
I'm probably hoping maybe it comes into camp and preseason and lights the world on fire
9:26
I guess worst case scenario, he goes to Grand Rapids. And like you said, he mentors COSA and shows him not like Coast really needs a whole lot of mentor
9:33
It's done pretty well down there. But he, I mean, yeah, I fully expect him to be in Grand Rapids with Coase, for sure
9:42
Yeah, I mean, it's just so crazy how much he's fallen down from the Maple Leafs because he was a really good goalie there
9:50
And now he's an AHL guy and borderline. And he had to sign a league minimum to get bought out first and then have to sign a league minimum somewhere in the AHL, most likely
10:02
But yeah, it's been interesting to see how he comes into camp. And maybe, I mean, it'd be really surprising if he is a factor on this team
10:09
But we'll wait and see. That's something. Yeah, I mean, if he does, you're running into an even bigger problem
10:15
You got four bullies on an NHL roster. one, if not two of them have to be shipped out and I don't know how much you're going to get in return
10:22
It could end up being a Walman trading in future considerations. Yeah, yeah
10:26
I'm not sure. It's going to be an interesting. That's a big storyline going into camp
10:31
That's for sure. All right. Let's talk about the division because this Atlantic division is so tough
10:38
And you got so many teams that are in that middle part that you're not really sure about
10:44
And the Red Wings fall right in that position. Is that where they are
10:48
Or do you see them being potentially going into that top tier at this point
10:56
At this point, I don't think you're going to see the top three of like Florida, Toronto, and Boston, really going anywhere
11:02
They might be interchangeable in that top three. Tampa Bay, I mean, yeah, they lost Damcoast
11:08
They moved their good job, but their Tampa Bay, they seem to be irrelevant every year no matter what happens
11:14
So, yeah, I think you're going to see the wings in that four to, six range of the division
11:19
I mean, Montreal, yeah, they've added some pieces, but you're still, they're still looking
11:22
a couple years down the road before they're probably a real true threat
11:27
Buffalo, they're right kind of right there with the wings in my mind with how they've got
11:32
their youngsters coming up, becoming more prominent in the lineup. And then Ottawa, yeah, I think they're going to probably bounce back a little bit, but
11:43
I just, yeah, I don't know about Ottawa, to be honest. I mean, I could see the division kind of shaping out like it was last year
11:52
just the same three at the top. I mean, there's not been a whole lot of over all in that division of this season or off season
12:03
Yeah, there's not been a lot. I mean, it's just going to just, and every season I say it
12:07
it's like this is the year that the Senators, Red Wings, and Sabres are going to make
12:12
one of them is going to make a move into the playoffs. I mean, Detroit took a big step last season
12:17
But again, those bad stretches just killed them. And that's, and that's, again, the two question marks we've already talked about is
12:24
goaltending and the defense, which we talked about a lot on grind line last season
12:29
And I don't know if it's been solved yet. So we'll wait and see what happens there
12:37
And yeah. All right. Moving to a quick fire round. And we'll start with the biggest storyline or question mark
12:43
And we probably have already said it many times, what do you got for a story
12:47
Sorry, that question mark. The back end of the ice, goaltending and defense
12:51
What's going to happen? What does it look like? Who going to start Yeah there you go And we were ready with details Go back to the conversation Yep All right one or two breakout stars for this year
13:04
I think Edmondson's going to, I don't want to say he's going to have a breakout season
13:09
in the manner of production point-wise. I just think he's going to become that solid second pair of defenseman that could eventually
13:19
end up pairing up with Mo Cider on the first pairing and create that
13:23
twin towers effect on the blue line that's i mean you give him a full season i think he's going to
13:28
really shine and you're going to show wings fans that the hype and the weight was well worth of
13:33
yeah and i mean i i think they could be a good tandem the thing is is i think they need to have
13:41
more depth behind them before that happens because they just right you put them together now you're not
13:46
i don't really like the second pairing no not at all so i think that has to be some stronger pieces
13:53
later on before that happens. They better off on two separate ones right now
13:58
Yep, yep. All right, bounce back. Who needs to bounce back from last season
14:03
Well, I don't want to say he had a bad season last year, but, I mean, Rasmussen, the extension he's signed
14:11
and the responsibilities and expectations he's had placed upon him. I mean, you could even look at Joe Valeno
14:17
Valeno's kind of stayed at that steady pace where he's been since he came to the lead
14:21
But I think if he, if he's able to stay, fully healthy this year, going from 33 to maybe if he can push the 40 point mark this year
14:29
and help kill penalties, maybe slide in on that second power play, I think would be a massive
14:35
help for that middle six of the lineup and hopefully take that third, fourth line roll to another
14:43
level. Yeah, Rasterson's an interesting guy that I really like, I don't think he has much
14:49
a ceiling as a top six, but definitely a really solid. bottom six guy, like you said, kill penalties
14:56
slotting on the power play at times because he's got really, his size is just
15:00
is really good for, yeah, I think he's never going to go up to his first round pick where he was selected in
15:08
the draft ever, because he's now, I think, settled into what he is
15:11
but he could still be a really effective player for the Red Wing. So, yeah
15:15
I don't know, like you said, I don't know if he had a bad season, but definitely could be maybe grow into his role a bit more
15:22
this season and we'll be good for this for the team all right who or what could be uh x factor this
15:30
season for the red wings well i don't want it's not going to be a uh massive you know shocker
15:37
surprise i'm going with dill and larkin yeah i mean he show he like you said when he when he was
15:42
hurt the team it just seemed like the team was just out of energy like said raymond had to carry
15:47
the team he drove the bus i mean yeah he's all over the ice i i mean he's all over the ice
15:52
each end of the ice doing everything leading that's why he's got to see on his jersey he's growing
15:57
into that role a lot lately i think if he stays healthy he's going to be a point per game player
16:03
this year i really do and something like that with him playing with raymond and to bring that
16:09
that takes that whole first line to another level i love dylan lark and he's he's just one of those
16:15
guys that just keeps getting better and if he can like stay be healthy all season i could i could
16:21
him pushing 100 points, honestly. He's very underrated centermen. Maybe not the, not everyone thinks of him as a first line center
16:30
but I think he is growing closer to that now, especially after last season when, yeah
16:36
I think the team imploded when he was gone. Yeah, for a bit
16:40
Until Raymond kind of just said, guys, we need to do something here
16:45
And then he continued it when Larkin came back. So, yeah, I think he could definitely
16:50
be an X factor this season. He was an X factor last season. Right
16:55
All right, let's talk about some rookies or prospects. Now, there's not a lot of room in the lineup for a rookie to make the team
17:02
but who do you see surprising in doing that? Honestly, probably someone, maybe Nate Danielson, maybe Marco Casper
17:13
He didn't have, Casper didn't have the greatest start last year with Grand Rapids, but he got himself back and going after getting hurt
17:20
in his first game with the wings two years ago. I think if, I mean, him or Danielson would be the ones that have the biggest shot
17:27
Maybe someone like Albert Johansson, if they decide they want to go off the beaten path
17:32
a little bit with the defense. But like you said, there really isn't a whole lot of room for a prospect or a rookie to make
17:38
the team right out of camp unless injuries start popping up right at the beginning of the year
17:45
I mean, Carter Mazur could potentially be, I think he could be a good third, fourth line
17:49
option but again there's not a lot of space and you want these guys playing limited minutes
17:55
down right i mean better off playing big minutes in grand rapids at this point and um danielsen i've
18:02
said many times i think he could start in the nch l's a third or fourth line guy because
18:06
he's just so good defensively already um but again is that the best for his development it's
18:13
always looking at that and i think danelson's ready i had to make that jump and he had a really
18:19
good camp last season. But we'll see. We'll see how that goes
18:24
But there's just not a lot of stuff. Right. No, I mean, you know, we all know how Iserman is
18:28
He likes to let those kids really develop and season themselves. And whether it's Grand Rapids or wherever else, he wants them
18:36
If he doesn't feel they're ready, they aren't playing. So. Yeah. Well, we saw that with Edmondson many times
18:41
Yep. Exactly. Yep. All right. Outside of that, the Redmond's have a lot of exciting prospects throughout the everywhere
18:51
Who should everyone be watching this season? I think they need to be watching
18:56
Shane William, honestly. His first year in Grand Rapids after coming in
19:01
after his college season ended. He doesn't have the allure and all the hype behind him
19:05
like his brother did after getting drafted this year. But I think his game
19:09
should translate well to Grand Rapids. He could honestly be, he could end up being
19:15
a tie. I mean, he'll make the lineup here, I think, in a few years
19:19
and he should be adding a lot to that defensive unit by the time someone like Sherrod or Paul or Petrie any of those guys are gone i mean between him and yohansson they got options there if they go down the right path development so i think
19:35
he's definitely someone in grand rap is this year to watch yeah i i've loved him since uh he was
19:41
drafted too i he doesn't he's not definitely not the same guy zeeve at all um but he he
19:47
he definitely has upside as an NHL defenseman so i like that um axle standing pelica i think
19:53
everyone of course should be watching this guy is another another great offensive defenseman
19:59
and uh a queen hughes type um how comparing to when hughes i mean hues is probably a
20:06
generational talent at this point um but he's got a similar style um but yeah i i i really love him
20:14
so definitely watch him there's so many guys well just read devon top 25 prospects list and there's all your guys we should be watching so there you
20:22
all right i to our last couple questions here i who do you see leading the team in
20:31
scoring on forwards and defense here this season some obvious right forward wise i think i think
20:39
larkin's gonna i honestly i'm kind of with you i think if he all things
20:43
line up and fire on the right cylinders he could be a 90 to 100 point player
20:50
I think with, again, another year of him and DeBrin Kett together with Raymond
20:54
hopefully fingers crossed that deal gets done. But with them together, I think, a healthy season between the three of them
21:01
he's got every possibility to reach that 90 to 100 point mark
21:06
So then on defense, I'm going to go, he ain't got a whole lot of options scoring-wise
21:11
from the back end, but I think Cider's going to break the double-digit goal mark
21:16
I think he's going to take that next step. I mean, he's progressed his offensive game each year
21:21
It seems like he's becoming more comfortable back there. I think he's going to prove whatever deal they get done with him that he was worth it
21:31
Yeah. I think those two deals are going to get done within the next week or so
21:36
I mean, it can't go longer than, I mean, I hope it doesn't go into training camp and it hangs over
21:41
because I hate it when players can't start training camp and these contracts
21:46
are hanging over their head. So hopefully both get done. I mean, they will get done
21:52
I mean, obviously. But it's just hopefully. The timing is what matters. Yeah, yeah
21:57
All right. Last question, a bold prediction, hot take for this season
22:03
We'll go two. I'm going to go. Lucas Raymond breaks the 40 goal mark on that top line with marking into Brinket
22:09
And then they end up, they find their way into the playoffs, finally, and end that drought
22:13
Get some playoff hockey and little Caesar's arena finally. I think things are going to work
22:21
I think Lelon's starting to get the players and Arizman's starting to, they're starting to click together
22:26
and I just think they're going to figure it out this year. I mean, we were all saying it last year too
22:32
but sooner or later it's got to be the year. So hopefully it's this one
22:36
That's what I'm hoping we're going to go with. Well, I mean, like I say, they were a point
22:42
I mean, they just needed an O-TL. I mean, at any point in the season
22:46
There's needed one more point to make it past the capitals. And that's just, I mean, they were so close
22:55
And they even won their last game and didn't matter. But yeah, we'll see if they could get a bit of a cushion on that spot by the end of the season
23:08
Because I think they got the forward group to do it, like we said. It's just a question mark
23:12
Can the defense and goaltending hold up and, not have the Red Wrenuous have to win game 6-5 because they had to do that way too many times last
23:22
season and they're just not sustainable right so right well and that was the big thing going
23:27
into the off season that they were oh we got to get the defense short up we got to do this and like
23:32
you said the biggest addition they made was Gustavson and let's just hold jeff Petrie or
23:37
charot or maybe Hall ends up I mean like you said it's a big question mark going into the season again
23:44
I mean, Petrie looked better when he was paired with Edmondson for the time they were together at the end of the year
23:50
But again, he didn't have a season you were hoping for. So it's tough, tough area for the wings right now
24:01
Yeah. This is one last question. Do you see defense someone getting added
24:08
I mean, trade-wise, before the beginning of the season? or is this the group that Eisen was going to run with to start
24:15
I think it's going to be the group he goes with. I think this late in the game
24:19
unless something miraculous way, we all know he keeps everything very tight to the vest
24:25
So, I mean, he could pull something off tomorrow. Who knows? But I just, it'd be nice if he did, but I don't
24:33
I think this is what they're going to go into camp with. And they said maybe you get someone like Johansson that impresses
24:39
and kind of push us for a spot, but I think that's about what they're going to go with at an end of the year
24:46
Yeah. I think so too. I mean, there was the rumors of Jacob Truba
24:50
but of course Truba said, no, he's not going anywhere. So that was shot down pretty quick
24:55
I don't know who else they could acquire, really, at this point. I mean
24:59
seems like a lot of teams don't have, I mean, and if they are, the prices are ridiculous of what they want
25:05
So, I mean, we'll wait. I mean, the Calgary, flame seem to be they want to sell up everyone so i mean maybe a mackenzie weger i don't know maybe a guy
25:15
like that i mean rast was anderson would be interesting um yeah there's some targets out there but
25:21
i just don't know if that's what's going to happen now i think it's going to be later on those guys
25:24
are going to move um but we'll wait we'll wait and see how this all plans plans out but thanks
25:30
jordan for coming on and talking the red wings it's got another exciting season i think even
25:36
even though, I mean, the playoffs aren't a guarantee, but it's going to be fun
25:40
So make sure to check out everything at the Hockberries.com with the Red Wings coverage
25:45
We are going to have throughout the season and going into training camp and throughout training camp in the preseason
25:50
But yeah, check out the substack as well. But until our next preview, we'll see you next time
Online Video
Sports
Hockey
Hockey