How Do the Red Wings Draw the Most from their Top Six?

As the Red Wings skate into a new season, their hierarchy down the middle is a good bit clearer than on the wings.  Though captain Dylan Larkin's aptitude as a number one center was once a layup topic on Detroit's sports talk radio airwaves, last season—both the time Larkin spent on the ice and the Red Wings' lifelessness without him—made that argument a thoroughly untenable one.  Larkin is the Red Wings' unquestioned top centerman, and JT Compher—acquired last summer and contributor of 48 points to the Detroit cause—is, at least in the short term, the unquestioned number two option behind his captain.  However, along the wings, coach Derek Lalonde has a bit more flexibility.

On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, my co-host Connor Earegood and I discussed this dynamic.  In terms of long-term investment, it's clear that Lucas Raymond (once he signs his new contract) is the winger Detroit counts on most.  However, in terms of maximizing team performance in the short-term, the gap between the Red Wings' four top wingers isn't enormous, which should afford a certain degree of interchangeability.

Last year, Raymond set career highs with 31 goals and 41 assists.  Alex DeBrincat had 27 goals and 40 assists in his debut season as a Red Wing.  Vladimir Tarasenko scored 23 goals and gave 32 assists, while Kane put up 20 goals and 27 assists in just 50 games.  With that in mind, Connor and I debated the best way to arrange that top six around Larkin and Compher.  We agreed that pairing Kane and Tarasenko would likely leave one line a bit leg-less and defensively vulnerable, but we disagreed on how to counter that dynamic.

You can hear a sample of our conversation via the featured video clip above, then listen to the full episode on either Spotify or Apple Podcasts:

Also from THN Detroit

3 Breakout Candidates for the Red Wings this Season

When Will Prolonged RFA Negotiations with Seider and Raymond Start to Hurt the Red Wings?

Seider, Raymond, and Training Camp Looms: The Silky Mitten State Episode 37

Olympic Hopes Dashed for 2 Red Wings Prospects in Qualifying Tournaments

Ted Lindsay, Hockey’s Labor Trailblazer

Red Wings First Rounder Zadina Signs in Switzerland