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Detroit Red Wings: An Outlook On Forward Position Battles

By Tyler Kotila

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 14: Frans Nielsen #51 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his second period goal with Darren Helm #43 while playing the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on February 14, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 3-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 14: Frans Nielsen #51 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his second period goal with Darren Helm #43 while playing the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on February 14, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 3-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings brought in some forwards via trades and free agency, they have plenty of prospects, so how will the forward position battles shake out? Here are a few predictions before the preseason begins and gets underway.

In 2019 NHL Free Agency, the Detroit Red Wings brought back forward Valtteri Filppula to help fill some gaps as a possible way to see Athanasiou out on the winger position more. Just recently, the Red Wings traded for another forward. Adam Erne who can be noted as a bottom-six, checking player that the Red Wings will deploy as part of their offense this season.

Going into the season, it is easy to see that Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, and Andreas Athanasiou all belong as top-six forwards. On this team, top three based on skill in terms of forwards on this team.

As the preseason rolls closer, the Red Wings will start to narrow down the candidates to crack the roster for opening night. With thirteen players currently under contract as forwards, it limits the number of surprises for players to crack the roster. Now, according to CapFriendly here’s the thirteen forwards under contract listed inline form. (No particular order)

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  1. Tyler Bertuzzi (LW), Dylan Larkin (C), Anthony Mantha (RW)
  2. Valtteri Filppula (LW), Frans Nielsen (C), Andreas Athanasiou (RW)
  3. Adam Erne (LW), Michael Rasmussen (C),  Luke Glendening (RW)
  4. Evgeny Svechnikov (LW), Darren Helm (C), Justin Abdelkader (RW)

Extra: Jacob de la Rose (C, LW)

This list of names leaves off guys like Taro Hirose, Joe Veleno, Filip Zadina, Christoffer Ehn, Ryan Kuffner, and Dominic Turgeon. All of these players could see time with the Red Wings this season. Hopefully, they do (i.e., Hirose, Velno, and Zadina) As it stands, players like Abdelkader, Helm, and Glendening could be a logjam for the forwards and make things a little complicated.

Going through some of the new additions, Filppula will be a guy who shifts between center and winger, mostly on the second line to allow Athanasiou to stay on the wing. Fluctuation will happen for Filppula, based off of Nielsen’s play, Hirose could become a winger with Filppula as the center. Erne was acquired as a checking forward who will provide a similar look to that of someone like Bertuzzi with less offensive upside. Helm and Abdelkader are only clogging the third and fourth lines.

Next. Analyzing WAR For Possible 2019 Lineup. dark

Another name that cannot be forgot about, Ehn, a forward who can be almost like a checking role as a forward. Ehn is someone that could be similar to Luke Glendening for the Detroit Red Wings this season as a grinder forward. With preseason approaching, do not count it out for someone like Veleno, Zadina, or Hirose to turn some heads and seem some time with the team early in the season.

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