Jeff Blashill interview, Jan. 9, 2021. Detroit Free Press
Our Free Press sports writers share their thoughts on how the Detroit Red Wings' season will shake out:
Helene St. James
Best-case scenario: Wings play competitive hockey, avoid being derailed by injuries/illness, and take a step forward in the rebuild.
Worst-case scenario: They get off to a bad start and then see what depth they’ve built up depleted by injuries or illness.
[ Wings doing all they can to fight COVID-19: 'The life we live in right now' ]
Breakout player: Filip Zadina. He’s grown stronger and more mature, and should be good for around 14-15 goals in a 56-game season.
Goals leader: Anthony Mantha. If he stays healthy, he’s a dominant force who even in a shortened season could hit somewhere in the 20-goal range.
Will they make the playoffs: It would be stunning if they did. This season will be judged on whether the young players improve, and how competitive the team plays overall.
Dylan Larkin interview, Jan. 9, 2021. Detroit Free Press
Jeff Seidel
Best-case scenario: Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha rock and roll together. Steve Yzerman is able to flip several vets at the deadline. And the Wings win the lottery, landing a future star.
Worst-case scenario: Several youngsters struggle. The Wings try to flip some vets at the deadline but get little in return and then fall back in the draft lottery ... again. Ugh.
Breakout player: Coming off his play in the Czech Republic, Filip Zadina shows his growing confidence, starting out sizzling hot. He stays healthy and scores 20 goals.
[ Mantha has a new special teams job: Stopping goals ]
Goals leader: Anthony Mantha will surge — and stay healthy — while playing with Larkin and Mantha.
Will they make the playoffs: No way. This will be the fifth-straight year without the playoffs.
Luke Glendening interview, Jan. 9, 2021. Detroit Free Press
Shawn Windsor
Best-case scenario: The young guys keep improving and the team occasionally takes a heavyweight down. Also: stay healthy.
Worst-case scenario: Injuries to youngsters, of course. Any wasted develop time would be a setback.
Breakout player: Filip Zadina, who else? A creative and gifted skater and scorer should get all the time he needs to show he’s ready.
Goals leader: Anthony Mantha. He found ways to score on the league’s worst offensive team a year ago before injuries and the pandemic shortened his season. If he stays healthy, he should build on the promise — and production — he flashed last season.
Will they make the playoffs: No. Not likely. This season isn’t about the playoffs anyway. It’s about staying healthy and building chemistry and getting better and trading for more assets.
The Link LonkJanuary 10, 2021 at 06:03PM
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2021/01/10/detroit-red-wings-season-predictions-rebuild/6609205002/
Detroit Red Wings predictions: Even in shortened season, steps forward in rebuild are vital - Detroit Free Press
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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