Projecting Red Wings 2020-21 roster: Lines, defense pairs

The Detroit Red Wings will look different when they open the 2020-21 season, as they should after a historically bad 2019-20.

General manager Steve Yzerman overhauled one-third of the roster. It will be a deeper team. Coach Jeff Blashill will have more NHL-quality players to insert into the lineup.

The NHL is still aiming to start the season on Jan. 1, but plans have not been finalized.

Here is a look at the Red Wings’ projected season-opening roster, with potential line combinations and defense pairings.

First line

LW: Tyler Bertuzzi, C: Dylan Larkin, RW: Anthony Mantha

Blashill hasn’t played the team’s top three forwards together often, wanting to spread the wealth over the top two lines, but the Red Wings might have more depth now to keep the trio together for longer stretches. They have finished with a flurry in each of the past two seasons. In the final 10 games of 2019-20, the three combined for 11 goals and 22 assists.

Second line

LW: Robby Fabbri, C: Vladislav Namestnikov, RW: Bobby Ryan

The additions of Namestnikov (two years/$4 million) and Ryan (one year/$1 million) gives the Red Wings more skilled options for their top six. Namestnikov can play all three forward positions but will fill an important void as the second-line center. Ryan provides a much-needed right-handed shot up front, someone with a shooting mentality, another need for this team. Fabbri was rejuvenated last season and saw some time at center late in the year, so that remains an option.

Third line

LW: Evgeny Svechnikov, C: Sam Gagner, RW: Filip Zadina

The Red Wings have the potential for a more skilled third line as opposed to a checking-oriented, grinding unit. It is a huge season for Svechnikov to prove he is an NHL player. The club’s top 2015 pick is out of AHL options and should finally get a good opportunity to establish himself. Zadina was progressing before suffering a fractured ankle last season. He is playing well on loan to a Czech team and can return when camp opens. The veteran Gagner is a better option in this spot than Valtteri Filppula or Frans Nielsen.

Fourth line

LW: Darren Helm, C: Valtteri Filppula, RW: Luke Glendening

Three long-time Red Wings with defensive instincts could join to form an energy line. Helm is coming off a decent season while Glendening mostly struggled. Filppula does not appear to have much left in the tank, going from plus-19 to minus-42 in one season. All three are in the final year of their contracts.

Extras: Frans Nielsen, Adam Erne

Nielsen has struggled the past two seasons and figures to be a frequent scratch and a buyout candidate in 2021. Erne needs to make his presence felt more, physically and offensively, to maintain a regular spot in the lineup.

Missed the cut: Dmytro Timashov, Michael Rasmussen, Givani Smith, Taro Hirose, Mathias Brome.

Yzerman said he might still sign Timashov, a restricted free agent, despite the crowded roster. If so, he will be competing for a regular spot. Rasmussen is on loan to an Austrian club and might finish the season there if the AHL does not resume. He, Smith and Hirose are waiver-exempt, and all could get a look in Detroit, especially late in the season if, as expected, several players are moved for draft picks at the trade deadline. Brome is an intriguing, skilled player signed to a one-year deal in May. He is playing well for Orebro in Sweden’s top league (three goals, 11 assists in 15 games) and might get a look late in the NHL season after his Swedish team is done.

Defense First pair

LD: Danny DeKeyser, RD: Filip Hronek

This would pair players who log a lot of minutes and have contrasting styles. An experienced, defensive-minded DeKeyser could help the young, offensive-minded Hronek. DeKeyser was limited to eight games in 2019-20 due to back surgery. Hronek was their leading scorer among defensemen and is flourishing while on loan to a Czech team.

Second pair

LD: Marc Staal, RD: Patrik Nemeth

This is a shutdown pairing that can play against the opposition’s top line. Nemeth had a quietly efficient season in 2019-20, no small feat on this team. Staal, who had spent his entire 13-year career with the Rangers, likely will be moved for a draft pick at the deadline.

Third pair

LD: Jon Merrill, RD: Troy Stecher

A pair of free agents who are an upgrade over veterans Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley, players who were frequently injured the past couple of seasons. Merrill is a Michigan native who is excited to return home on a one-year deal that could be extended if he plays well. The undrafted, undersized Stecher bucked the odds by playing four seasons in Vancouver, gaining a reputation as a hard worker.

Extra: Alex Biega.

Biega, another former Canuck, acquitted himself well near the end of the season on an injury-riddled blue line, even playing on what could be considered the top pairing with Nemeth. He is a player who can move in and out of the lineup as needed and provides depth.

Missed the cut: Dennis Cholowski, Gustav Lindstrom, Moritz Seider.

Seider is playing well while on loan in Sweden and might stay there until that league’s season is complete before joining the Red Wings late in the NHL season. Cholowski has started strong in each of the past two seasons only to be demoted due to defensive issues. The Red Wings could use his offensive ability on a blue line that doesn’t figure to contribute a lot of offense and his left-handed shot at the point on the second power-play unit. He might be next in line if there is an injury to one of the top six. Lindstrom, playing in Sweden, probably needs another year of development.

Goaltending

Jonathan Bernier assumed the No. 1 job from Jimmy Howard in early December and played well, giving the team a chance to win in most of his starts, despite the lack of talent in front of him. He has the inside track on the starting job but will be pushed by Thomas Greiss, signed to a two-year, $7.2 million contract last month. Greiss has played well in four of the past five seasons with the Islanders and should provide a significant upgrade in net. The Red Wings could go with a 50-50 split in goal.

More: How Filip Zadina, Filip Hronek are faring in Czech Republic

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