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Detroit Red Wings: 3 Priorities To End The 2022/23 NHL Season With

By Richard Jelinek

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 21: Alex Nedeljkovic #39 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on October 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 21: Alex Nedeljkovic #39 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on October 21, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings are near the end of the 2022/23 NHL season and they will, once again, miss the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now that the playoff dream is a lost cause, what now? The Red Wings have issues to clear up and those solutions should start with their remaining schedule. There are things for the coach, and management, to look at before training camp next season.

What should the Detroit Red Wings accomplish before seasons end?

Play the youngsters more than usual

The Detroit Red Wings have a load of young talent and recently some of their top tier prospects have made it into the lineup. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson and forward Marco Kasper have joined the Red Wings in hopes of getting some NHL games in.

While the hopes of them being full-time NHLers sooner than later is still a possiblity, they need time to develop. Edvinsson has looked extremely sharp since his NHL debut and looks comfortable in this environment. Kasper has only played a few games but looks ready to go while getting used to the NHL style of play.

With the Detroit Red Wings out of playoff contention, Kasper and Edvionsson need to play more than usual. Kasper and Edvinsson need to develop and develop at the NHL level, therefore playing every last game of the season to get comfortable. they need to develop at the speed and timing of the game. If management sits them and play them only a few games down the stretch, then they are not getting the valuable ice time they need to be successful. We do not know where they willbe next season, but if they have plans to be on the Red Wings roster they need to show they belong with more ice time.

Alex Nedeljkovic should play the remaining games

With goaltender Ville Husso likely out for the season and Magnus Hellberg struggling, Alex Nedeljkovic has played well since his recall from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Nedeljkovic needs to play the rest of the schedule and play well.

It is not a guarantee he will be back with the Red Wings next season so he is essentially playing for a roster spot next season. Nedeljkovic struggled early in the season but has turned it around since being called up. Is that enough to keep him? No. However, if he plays well enough to show he belongs then he may earn himself a new contract, if not with the Detroit Red Wings then some other team in the off season. Right now all we know is Husso is likely back as the Red Wings starter for the 2023/24 season and it remains a mystery on who his backup will be. These last couple of weeks are going to be huge for Nedeljkovic.

Work on special teams

The Detroit Red Wings are 17th in the league on the power play at 21.2%. The Red Wings are 18th in the league on the penalty kill at a 78.5% clip. Both are considered average and are in the middle of the league. Both special teams need to be looked at and have made adjustments to. If the Detroit Red Wings are going to push for the playoffs next season, these are the two big keys for improvement. Move some players around, take players out of those spots, and play two defensemen on the power play are just two ideas to switch things up a bit. With a few tweaks and better numbers, the Detroit Red Wings could be closer to a playoff spot next season.

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