Detroit Red Wings: Grading the Forwards 2019-20 Performances

The next grouping of Detroit Red Wings forwards consists of a Steve Yzerman trade acquisition in Adam Erne; a rebounded Robby Fabbri, and a returning veteran Valtteri Filppula.

Adam Erne, Grade: C

This summer, Steve Yzerman brought in Adam Erne as one of his former draft picks with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Over fifty-six games in the 2019-20 season, Erne would post two goals and three assists while accumulating a minus-twenty-four rating. Erne is nothing better bottom-six forward who was mediocre at best, deserving of a “C” rating.

Robby Fabbri, Grade: A

Looking at the 2019-20 season, Robby Fabbri needed a change of scenery, and he got it. After being acquired in a trade after nine games with the St. Louis Blues, Fabbri would play in fifty-two games where he found his footing.

Fabbri scored fourteen goals and tallied seventeen assists and looked outstanding playing alongside players like Bertuzzi and Larkin. The change of scenery after coming to the Red Wings proved vital to Fabbri’s resurgence in the NHL. He looks to be a crucial part of the Red Wings offensive core, being a restricted free agent this offseason.

Valtteri Filppula, Grade: C

After eight seasons with the Red Wings to start his career, Valtteri Filppula left the organization but returned for the 2019-20 season as a middle-six forward. Filppula played in seventy games, where he scored six goals and tallied fifteen assists for twenty-one total points on the year.  He did manage a minus-forty-two rating on the season, which is less than ideal for the veteran.

He was not exceptional, but he was not one of the useless fourth-liners the team has, so Filppula deserved a middle grounded “C.” He is under contract for one more season, and he may be invisible on the scoresheet, but he has qualities off the ice as a veteran in the locker room that helps him be a valuable asset to this Red Wings team.