Redder Winger
Registered User
- May 4, 2017
- 3,700
- 730
Many of us wondered how the Red Wings would have looked last year if Zetterberg wasn't so damn awesome. We're getting our answer.
Zetterberg is on a 22-game scoreless streak. That's more than a quarter of the season. In 22 games, he's got a 0-8-8 -6 line. He's playing 19:12/night.
The Red Wings are 7-10-5 over that spell.
Obviously, nobody expects him to Sheahan the rest of the season. But assuming his production stays low, it seems easy to imagine that Zetterberg will just quit at the end of the season. Hopefully he does the LTIR thing and the NHL doesn't hold his pre-season comments against the Red Wings. If the Wings are unable to get the LTIR, the cap penalty will be rough for a few years.
But I think it could be time to start thinking about the end of Zetterberg as a Detroit Red Wing.
What would that mean for Detroit next year?
It might open a spot for Rasmussen at C.
Larkin
Nielsen
Rasmussen
Glendening
But does Rasmussen enter the NHL as a C?
Whether Z LTIRS or not, it will open up cap space, especially if Mrazek is allowed to leave.
Will Holland go out and sign Jack Johnson?
Maybe Johnson and Rick Nash?
Nash is still only 33. Johnson is just 30.
With the cap going up to $80M, you could fit both if you don't overpay Larkin/Mantha/Athanasiou.
You might even be able to make a pitch for Tavares.
Zetterberg is on a 22-game scoreless streak. That's more than a quarter of the season. In 22 games, he's got a 0-8-8 -6 line. He's playing 19:12/night.
The Red Wings are 7-10-5 over that spell.
Obviously, nobody expects him to Sheahan the rest of the season. But assuming his production stays low, it seems easy to imagine that Zetterberg will just quit at the end of the season. Hopefully he does the LTIR thing and the NHL doesn't hold his pre-season comments against the Red Wings. If the Wings are unable to get the LTIR, the cap penalty will be rough for a few years.
But I think it could be time to start thinking about the end of Zetterberg as a Detroit Red Wing.
What would that mean for Detroit next year?
It might open a spot for Rasmussen at C.
Larkin
Nielsen
Rasmussen
Glendening
But does Rasmussen enter the NHL as a C?
Whether Z LTIRS or not, it will open up cap space, especially if Mrazek is allowed to leave.
Will Holland go out and sign Jack Johnson?
Maybe Johnson and Rick Nash?
Nash is still only 33. Johnson is just 30.
With the cap going up to $80M, you could fit both if you don't overpay Larkin/Mantha/Athanasiou.
You might even be able to make a pitch for Tavares.