Quick Hits: The Goaltending Edition
In Red Wings Land
Red Wings goaltending a concern now and into future - mlive.com
I don’t see any way that Detroit will bring Howard back after last season. I have an article coming up pretty soon that will show just how much of a cliff he fell off. Bernier played much better down the stretch, and he could end up as a decent bridge option in the NHL, at least to keep Detroit respectable. Detroit will almost definitely add another goalie for next season, in my opinion.
The rebuilding Detroit Red Wings will head into a transition phase in goal next season. Jonathan Bernier will maintain the starting job he earned in December and bridge the gap between Jimmy Howard, the franchise’s workhorse for a decade, and the goaltender of the future, whoever that may be.
The Red Wings likely are done for this season since the NHL appears inclined to start with an expanded playoffs if play resumes following the coronavirus hiatus. So here is at a look at how goaltending stacks up throughout their organization:
Detroit Red Wings won't resist appeal of Quinton Byfield: Tankathon 4.0
I would be completely happy with this, although I really don’t think Byfield lasts beyond pick 2.
Left wing Alexis Lafrenière is regarded as the top pick. In this mock draft, after simulating the draft order on tankathon.com, the Wings hold the third pick and select center Quinton Byfield. He and Tim Stutzle are projected as the top forwards to be drafted after Lafrenière.
Byfield’s appeal is manifold: He’s 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, a dynamic combination of speed, strength and skill. He is an exceptional skater, especially considering his size. He has the agility to evade defenders and the brawn to force them to back off. He has an accurate shot and makes crafty plays with the puck.
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