The Detroit Red Wings (and every other NHL team) are enjoying a break from games right now. Practices began yesterday for the 4 Nations Faceoff, which is taking place in Montreal and Boston.
This makes right now a great time to take stock of the season. With that in mind, here are the three biggest surprises for the Red Wings this season.
Vladimir Tarasenko
When Vladimir Tarasenko and the Red Wings agreed on a two-year $4.75-million contract in the summer, I don’t think people could have predicted how difficult it would be to find a fit for the Russian winger.
However, here we are.
Tarasenko has 22 points in 53 games with the Red Wings. He is on pace for one of the worst offensive years of his career. If things continue this way, he could see the lowest point total of his career since missing significant time because of major surgery and recovery.
Marco Kasper
On the other end of the spectrum, Marco Kasper has had a great year. In 50 games, he has 20 points. Although his point totals are not far from Tarasenko’s, he’s earned his way to the top line.
With Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, he’s been nothing short of dynamite.
With seven points in his last 10 games and 13 in his last 15, he’s been one of the most productive point producers for the Red Wings under their new head coach. He’s also 20 years old.
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Todd McLellan
Speaking of new head coach, Todd McLellan is undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the year for the Red Wings.
Under Derek Lalonde, the team played 34 games, scored 30 points, and had a 13-17-4 record. However, the team didn’t generate enough offense, averaging only 25 shots and 2.56 goals per game. As a result, the team ranked second last in the Eastern Conference and 27th overall in the league.
Since Christmas, McLellan has flipped the script.
McLellan took over the team on Boxing Day. Since then, the Red Wings are 15-5-1, which is good for 31 points. Only the Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars have more points than them over the same time span.
Since the coaching change, they have averaged 29.7 shots and 3.33 goals, almost five shots and one more goal per game.
While there are 27 games left to be played for the Red Wings, it’s easy to see that Tarasenko, Kasper, and McLellan have been the biggest surprises of the year.
