VANCOUVER – One of the most encouraging signs for the Detroit Red Wings, 10 games into their season, is the lift they're getting from younger players.
Sure, veteran defenseman Moritz Seider does the heavy lifting, and newly paid forward Alex DeBrincat leads the way with his competitive drive and offensive touch, but the contributions of rookies Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Anton Johansson and William Wallinder have helped the Wings distance themselves from a subpar start. And second-year forward Emmitt Finnie's rise to centering the top line has been a godsend. All four were drafted during former general manager Steve Yzerman's time.
It's the kind of growth from within vital to success.
Red Wings celebration
"At some point you have to harvest your fruit a little bit and the young guys are contributing, they're playing well on both sides of the puck, which is important," coach Todd McLellan said. "It's still early in the year and they have to continue to grow. I think there's a lot of runway for all of them."
McLellan was speaking shortly after the Wings dispatched the Vancouver Canucks, 5-2, on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Rogers Arena, winning for the third time in four games. Wallinder scored, Finnie scored, Brandsegg-Nygard assisted on two goals, and Johansson also had an assist.
"I think they've came in with a lot of energy both on and off the ice," said Lucas Raymond, who scored off assists from Brandsegg-Nygard and Johansson and assisted on Wallinder's goal. "Playing some really good hockey and kind of that fresh blood that's fun to get in. And they're great players, but unbelievable guys as well off the ice. So fun to see, yeah."
(Honest, too: Asked the best perk of being in the NHL, Wallinder replied, "the paycheck.")
Fun to see, and all the more gratifying for a team beset by the turmoil of Dylan Larkin requesting to be traded and Simon Edvinsson staying away from the team in a contract stalemate. As the Free Press reported, Larkin has expanded his list of desired destinations from three to 10 teams, so that should help resolve that quagmire. As for Edvinsson, he has been in Boston training; he must sign by Dec. 1 to be eligible to play in the NHL this season.
While that swirls around the team, seeing the joy on the faces of players as they wet their feet in the NHL – and on Thursday, that included 24-year-old goalie Michal Postava making his NHL debut – is incredibly refreshing.
"Guys get excited for them," McLellan said. "The ones that have been around for a long time, it takes them back a little bit and they remember what it felt like and how the veterans treated them when they were evolving and having good nights.
"The group's been really, considering all the crap we've gone through, it's been pretty resilient. It's been well-connected. There's a lot of stickiness to it. It's a good thing for us."
Johansson and Wallinder have been so good they've masked the absence of Edvinsson, a top-four defenseman who plays in all situations. Brandsegg-Nygard and Finnie have been so good they've ameliorated the departure of Patrick Kane and the team's lack of skilled centers. The enthusiasm is like a shot in the arm, even for a vet like Seider (who is only in his sixth season).
"It's exciting to see," he said. "I don't even think you realize what's happening around you. Sometimes it's a good thing. Every new city is a new experiment. New impressions, new restaurants to go to, new things to explore and you don't really realize. You don't really have to look too far ahead or live in the past. Just stay present in the moment and enjoy every single thing. I feel like things will be well from there. I think that's kind of what our message is to all the guys. Really enjoy it, make the best out of yourself and just make every day count."
Contact Helene St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Young players enthusiasm help Red Wings endure 'all the crap'
