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I will be featuring the writings of Kevin Allen for a summer reading program this year. It’s tough to break up the summer months, and the one on one formats that Kevin has perfected is not only a pleasure to read but gives insight that isn’t easy to come by. I’ll be starting with Chris Chelios “Made in America”. Head to
Triumphbooks.com and you can find this and several other titles by Kevin Allen. Digital formats are also available.
Steve Yzerman will be looking for two left shot defensemen for the coming season. Prospect Albert Johansson won’t get a look in Grand Rapids quite yet as he’s been loaned back to the SHL. Yzerman has an impeccable sense on development and the process is actually fairly involved. He speaks with the player’s coach from the previous season, with the player and with the development staff. From there they sit down with the player and make recommendations. Last year, Seider was offered the opportunity to stay in Germany and come back if/when the AHL got up and running. He chose instead to go to the SHL where there isn’t a transfer agreement so he could focus on competing in a stronger league without worrying about the AHL restart. It turned out well for Mo.
The left side of the blue line is, ironically, much more in flux than the right side. After nearly a decade of struggling to get the right shot defensemen in place, there now seems to be the beginnings of decent depth over there.
Newcomer Wyatt Newpower, Hronek, Seider and Stecher are in place and that’s not a bad rollout. The left side feels much less certain. Dekeyser’s injury history brings great concern. Dennis Cholowski hasn’t grabbed onto the role as he was originally projected. Jared McIsaac has had some issues staying healthy as well, though still fairly young. (To be fair, if Chycrun wasn’t such an enviable “miss” I might not be quite so critical of Cholowski. Man that deal still hurts. Yes we used the 2nd round pick for Hronek, but there is still a burn).
This time and iteration of the team provides something that for a long time has not been available for prospects. A genuine opportunity to take an NHL job. The aptitude, as well as the attitude, are critical. The “over ripen” philosophy of a reloading championship team is over and done. Also gone seems to be the entitlement era. The work you put in will either gain or lose you a roster spot. Yzerman has no qualms regarding turnover. Heading into his 3rd draft at the helm there’s been nearly a teams worth of comings and goings (roughly 20 players through trade, release or buyout).
Dennis Cholowski, Jared McIsaac, Eemil Viro and Albert Johansson are the top considerations in the prospect pool (for now). I’m waiting for a chance to see newly signed Wyatt Newpower play in Grand Rapids (assuming that’s where he’ll start). Cholowski just doesn’t seem to have the intensity and desire to break through. That can change, and he’s certainly capable of putting in the work. McIsaac just needs to stay healthy. His work ethic is strong, but injuries just continue to derail opportunity. Viro had some outstanding performances on the international stage, and we’ll see what his transition to North America brings.
As you go down the list, it may be fair to say that the future first pairing left side defenseman may not be there. Whether by draft or acquisition, a long term blue line parter for Seider still needs to be introduced. The hopes of grabbing Werenski from Columbus faces long odds. Dahlin from Buffalo or Chycrun from AZ even longer. Yzerman has shown himself more than capable of producing the right piece, and after this year’s draft we may have a glimpse at who that will be.
The road of development for defense is, in my opinion, the 2nd longest of all positions. Goalies face an immense leap in transitioning from every other league into the pros. Even after finding a spot in the NHL, it’s estimated that it can take 200-300 games for a defenseman to really lock into the position. They have to be good enough to get there and then good enough to stay to get good enough to stay longer. That’s pro sports all the way.
So, where do you stand? Is there someone on the list that you think will break through? Will Yzerman make a deal to bring in a 22-25 year old asset? Or is this draft going to be the first glimpse of Detroit’s future top left d?
Yzerman’s commitment to bring in two defenseman is refreshing. No one is going to be handed the keys, it’s going to be earned or lost. The opportunity is immense, but hard won. We’ll see if this coming season brings Detroit closer to putting those puzzle pieces in place.
Check out some of my previous posts
Colorado is out of the playoffs.
Isle be darned, Boston is out
(M)Over Achiever - Seider getting accolades
setting the limits on trades
Moritz Seider reminds me of Jiri Fischer
Mo Seider is getting good ice time at the IIHF Worlds Championship.
There may be some blockbuster deals coming.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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