Three goals often translate into two points for NHL teams. The Detroit Red Wings went 17-1-2 this season when scoring three or more goals.
Problem was, they averaged only 2.23 goals, the second-lowest output in the league. It has been an issue the past two seasons – they ranked last in 2019-20, averaging only 2.00 goals per game.
After improving defensively and in net in 2021, offense is the Red Wings’ top priority.
“We need to score more goals and improve offensively,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “That’s easier said than done. The biggest part of that is having players who have the ability to produce.
“I’m hopeful our younger players can generate a little more offense. With the players that have been here for a while, I expect them to score more than they did this year.”
The improvement must come mostly from within the organization. The Red Wings will look to sign a couple of free-agent forwards, preferably right-handed shooters, but that market surely will be thin when it opens on July 28.
The list of potential unrestricted free-agent forwards with offensive ability includes Alex Ovechkin (Washington), Gabriel Landeskog and Brandon Saad (Colorado), Taylor Hall and David Krejci (Boston), Mike Hoffman and Jaden Schwartz (St. Louis), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Edmonton), Blake Coleman (Tampa Bay) and Zach Hyman (Toronto).
Several are expected to re-sign with their current club. Those that don’t might not be inclined to move from a strong team, in many cases, to a rebuilding club.
Yzerman didn’t rule out trading for offense – in addition to their own first-round pick, the Red Wings have Washington’s (it will be in the mid- to late 20s), as well as three second-rounders.
“I don’t think it makes a lot of sense for us to be trading draft picks and prospects for players that might not be here in three, four, five years,” Yzerman said. “So, if we are able to do something with some of our future assets, I’d certainly be willing to do that, but I would look to add younger players that are going to fit with the core group – Dylan Larkin, Jakub Vrana, Tyler Bertuzzi, roughly in that 26 or under range.
“Having said that, if something is too good to pass up that doesn’t necessarily fit that description, I’d be open to it. You can look at free agency, the players that might be there today, I don’t know that they’re going to be there once free agency opens. What are they going to cost and are we a fit for them? We’ll explore it. In trades I’d like to add younger players; in free agency I’m more open to anything.”
Regardless of who they add, the Red Wings must generate more offense from players already here.
It starts with a healthy Bertuzzi (limited to nine games) and Robby Fabbri (10 goals in only 30 games) and a better season from Larkin (nine goals and 23 points in 44 games).
Having Vrana for a full season will help (eight goals and 11 points in 11 games with Detroit), as will growth from younger players like Filip Zadina and Michael Rasmussen.
“Having introduced a number of young players over the last couple years, and we’ll continue to do that, the growth of those players can be big depending on the steps they take,” coach Jeff Blashill said.
“It’s probably going to take a little bit of everything. You don’t need to lead the league in goals in order to be a really good team. If you play smart hockey, you play the right way, you have to score enough. We didn’t win some of those close games; you just have to slowly turn those close games into wins. Certainly, the growth of the players that have been here will be important and any additions that add scoring without sacrificing the other side will be important as well.”
More: Which of their many restricted free agents will Red Wings re-sign?
The Link LonkMay 27, 2021 at 05:03PM
https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2021/05/red-wings-offensive-improvement-must-come-mostly-from-within.html
Red Wings’ offensive improvement must come mostly from within - MLive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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