MIKE GREEN
AGE: 30
POSITION: Defense
CONTRACT: 2016-17 will be the second year of a three-year contract worth $18 million, with an average cap hit of $6 million
2015-16 REGULAR SEASON STATS: 74 games, seven goals, 28 assists, 38 penalty minutes, -6 rating
2015-16 PLAYOFF STATS: Five games, one goal, one assist, 10 penalty minutes
CAREER REGULAR SEASON STATS: 649 games, 120 goals, 275 assists, 454 penalty minutes, +52 rating
CAREER PLAYOFF STATS: 76 games, 10 goals, 27 assists, 85 penalty minutes
2016-17 will be an important year for the offensive-minded Green. Although he only scored seven goals in his first season with the Red Wings, he played an important role both during even strength and power play situations. With Niklas Kronwall battling injuries and effectiveness on the power play, expect to see Green take his place on the first power play unit in the upcoming season.
Green is not afraid to join the rush and has a tremendous wrist shot, although he is also no stranger to being caught out of position as a result of pinching. He is not the best man-on-man defender you’ll find, but his offensive ability makes up for some of his defensive liability.
With more time on the power play, it’s not hard to picture Green recapturing some of his offensive flash. His seven goals in 2015-16 were the fewest he had scored in a season since recording just three in a 32 game 2011-12 season. New power play coach John Torchetti has the task of finding a way to help the power play find traction, which could also benefit Green.
Occasionally paired with the also offensive minded Brendan Smith last season, it would seem likely that head coach Jeff Blashill will want to pair Green with more of a steady defensive blue liner in the upcoming season.
BIGGEST QUESTION: With the defensive liabilities Green brings to the table, can the former 30-goal scorer find his offensive re-find his offensive flash?
PROJECTION: 78 games, 14 goals, 29 assists
