The Detroit Red Wings acquired additional fourth-round picks in each of the next two drafts in separate trades this weekend.
It might not seem significant, and time will tell. But consider that a fourth-round pick was the price general manager Steve Yzerman paid to get Adam Erne from the Tampa Bay Lightning in August 2019.
That move is paying huge dividends 18 months later. Erne has been the hottest Red Wing the past several weeks, earning more minutes, a role on the power play, shifts in overtime, and on Saturday, an opportunity in the shootout.
It took until the seventh round, but Erne whipped a shot past Petr Mrazek to lift the Red Wings past the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 at PNC Arena.
This came after Erne scored on a breakaway with 6:20 remaining in the third period to put his team ahead 4-3.
It was Erne’s 10th goal in 35 games, a pace equivalent to 23 goals over 82 games. He has one fewer goal than team leader Anthony Mantha.
This is what Yzerman, as GM of the Lightning in 2013, hoped to see from Erne when Tampa Bay selected him 33rd overall, just three spots outside of the first round.
Opportunities on a stacked Lightning team were tough to come by. In Detroit, he has been an established fourth-line grinder and energy player and has played almost exclusively on a line with Luke Glendening and Darren Helm.
But that hasn’t prevented him from tapping into his offensive ability.
“Adam’s got good hands and he scored in juniors, scored in the American League,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “I know that’s a big reason Steve made the trade, because he believed there was some in him in terms of offense and that he could be a good 200-foot player that could provide offense. And that’s exactly what he’s doing right now. He blocks a shot, goes down and scores. Nice handsy goal around the net with a backhand shot.”
Blashill added, “He wasn’t given anything. He’s had to earn every inch of ice he’s got, and he’s done a good job of it.”
Erne’s previous career high was seven with Tampa Bay in 2018-19. He scored only two goals in 56 games his first season with the Red Wings – both in the same game.
“It’s been going well lately, but I’m just trying to stick to my game, just trying to take advantage of the opportunities I get and luckily I was able to tonight,” Erne said.
The shootout attempt was his first in the NHL, and he was prepared with his move.
“I plan it before I get off the bench,” Erne said. “That’s a move I like to do, and I was able to watch (six) guys go before me and see (Mrazek’s) tendency. It didn’t look like he was moving too much. The guys had some good moves, and he made some good saves, but it was just kind of what I saw.”
Merrill likely to be dealt
The Red Wings kept Jon Merrill out of the lineup Saturday, apparently not wanting to risk an injury that could quash what looks like an impending move by Monday’s 3 p.m. deadline.
Merrill, one of the team’s many impending unrestricted free agents, has a low salary ($925,000), making him affordable for teams that are either tight against the cap or have financial constraints during a season in which revenues are down due to limited or a lack of attendance at games.
Merrill, 29, who played at Michigan, is a stay-at-home defenseman who has appeared in 36 games (no goals, five assists).
Blashill said of Merrill not being in the lineup: “We lose a big body that’s smart, has done a really good job for us. He’s defended well. He’s got poise and he’s got moxie and confidence.”
More: How Red Wings’ protected list for expansion draft has likely changed
The Link LonkApril 11, 2021 at 05:04PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/04/adam-erne-displaying-the-hands-red-wings-hoped-to-see.html
Adam Erne displaying the hands Red Wings hoped to see - MLive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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