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Hockey season has begun, and the Detroit Red Wings play their first regular season game for 2019-2020 on October 5th, opening on the road against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
Their new general manager, Steve Yzerman is focused on developing his young team with an eye on returning to playoff competition once again.
On September 22nd, www.detroitjockcity.com published an article detailing some bold predictions for the Wings’ season.
http://gty.im/874354282
Predictions
- The Wings will improve tremendously and finish more in the middle of the league, instead of at the bottom. They can expect growth on their offensive side with the development of players like Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Mantha, and Dylan Larkin. Furthermore, Niklas Kronwall’s retirement opens up more ice time for a younger defenseman to develop.
- The Wings picked up first-round draft pick Moritz Seider, whose performance in the Prospects Tournament in Traverse City and the fact that he made the Wings team for camp prove to be good signs he’ll get a shot with them this season.
- The Wings will return Valtteri Flippula as center, allowing Athanasiou to play wing. GM Steve Yzerman brought Filppula back to the Red Wings during the offseason for his second tour of duty with the team. If he is to return as center, Athanasiou could play wing and use his speed to score more goals.
- Taro Hirose is going to make the team and excel as a forward during his first chance at a full season with the Wings. His dominance in the Prospects Tournament has earned him a chance on the line with Flippula and Athanasiou, which could be deadly to their opponents.
- Acquiring Adam Erne is going to prove to be a huge pay-off, even if it was a small move for a bottom-six forward. He’s shown that he can score goals if given a chance, and because he was a fan-favorite with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Yzerman brought him on board. So far, he’s served as a good defensive presence on the ice for the Wings. He’ll be a bottom-six forward, but he’ll serve a purpose that will amount to something for them.
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Despite the fact that there is substantial evidence to make the claim that these predictions could all happen, they are definitely a little out there. The proof isn’t in the predictions, though; it’s in the standings.
Watch the Wings take on the Predators in Nashville tomorrow, October 5th, at 8:00 p.m.
