Detroit Red Wings: Bold Predictions Heading Into 2019-20 Season

Prediction #2: First-round draft pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Moritz Seider, will get a shot with the Detroit Red Wings this season.

The prospects tournament in Traverse City showed fans a couple of things about Seider that should be viewed as positives. Seider feels that he’s ready to play for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins which is good that he has the confidence in his level of play transferring well to North America.

The Detroit Red Wings ultimately have the final say, but his performance between the 2019 NHL Prospect Tournament and making the team for camp, are good signs. Seider will get his chance, even if it’s minimal, with the Red Wings during the 2019-20 season, hopefully showing that he can be an excellent comparison to Victor Hedman.

Prediction #3: Valtteri Filppula will make a great return with the Detroit Red Wings, allowing Athanasiou to play wing creating a lethal second line. (Especially if Taro Hirose gets to play on his line)

This offseason the Red Wings brought home a former forward in Filppula who will get to come back to his roots. The Finnish centerman should slot in as the second-line center allowing Athanasiou to play winger and use his speed on the outside of the offensive zone to create space and score goals.

Filppula should gel well with Athanasiou, being that he is a playmaker and Athanasiou has the speed and offensive tools to be a productive forward with Athanasiou; doing his thing and scoring on the outside.