Why the Red Wings Should be Optimistic after Two Losses

Look, I think Todd has done a pretty amicable job given what he’s working with. I’ll always appreciate how candid his answers are and how he’s been able to get some really great efforts out of this really poor team. That said, it’s on him to tighten up some of the problems here.

Obviously, special teams are the most X’s and O’s part of hockey. You can coach up a solid penalty kill, even if talent there isn’t perfect; 50% on the kill isn’t going to cut it. Especially not after getting chewed up by Kyle Connor and the Jets, who went 3/3 today. Obviously it’s early, but you won’t want this unit to end up like the 2024-25 Red Wings that couldn’t keep the puck out of their net when they went down a man.

The power play is also similar. I understand Dylan Larkin and Patrick Kane are both gone, but the unit is at 14.3%, which is tied for second-last. While this certainly is a bit more of a talent-based unit, it shouldn’t be this low.

The lines could certainly use some shuffling as well. There’s no reason Marco Kasper shouldn’t be a top-six center next game. Kasper was driving play better than anyone on Detroit against the Rangers while winning over 70% of his face-offs. I certainly trust his skill set up top more than Copp or Compher.

A few swaps up front, plus some health from Dylan Larkin and Marco Kasper, should give Detroit the jump they need early on. Giving in to whatever demands Simon Edvinsson (rightly) has and bringing him into the lineup should have a similar effect.

Wrapping Up

I’ve been a believer in this team for a while, and after two games, I’ve yet to form a solid opinion. I don’t think this team is good by any metric, but I also don’t think that this season is gone just yet.

Get a solid return for Larkin. Bring Simon Edvinsson back. Hand Marco Kasper the keys to the center position and figure out the right coaching choices. Then, and only then, will we really know what this team can be.

Spoiler alert: I think that could be surprisingly solid.