Detroit Red Wings: 3 players flying under the radar right now

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When the Detroit Red Wings take the ice for game 1 of the 2023-2024 NHL season, their lineup will look completely different.

Many moves were made by general manager Steve Yzerman to get them into the playoff picture. The team on paper has more offensive players and more depth to the roster this season.

Aside from the usual suspects like Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider, and newcomers like Alex DeBrincat, who are some of the red Wings under the radar?

Jonatan Berggren

The Detroit Red Wings would love for Jonatan Berggren to have a good year.

Forward Jonatan Berggren came into the Red Wings lineup last season and made quite the impression on the organization and his teammates.

Once put into regular season games, he was the best player on the ice most of those games and did not look out of place. He was all over last season, playing on different lines with different linemates, with a few games on the top line.

Detroit’s 2nd round pick (33rd overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Berggren made some noise last season and could be one to take that next step this season.

With the roster now loaded with veterans and players with more offensive production, Berggren will fly under the radar but he could be greatly important to the success of the Red Wings this season.

With the attention focused more on Larkin, DeBrincat, Raymond, and Seider, he will have the ability to make space out on the ice and play his style of game.

Most of the defensive coverage will be on the heavy offensive players for Detroit so Berggren will likely get the bottom pairing defenses of the opposition most of the time.

In his rookie season, he compiled 15 goals (five on the power play) and 13 assists for 28 points in 67 games. He also had 28 blocked shots and 20 hits in limited ice time.

At 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds, he is built like a tank, hits hard, yet can skate with the best players on the ice.

He is rarely caught out of position and, with his frame, can battle in front of the net and in the corners. He is also versatile, playing both winger positions if need be but played most of last season on the right wing.

If he gets more playing time or time on the power play, he could be a player Detroit looks to for important secondary scoring in hopes of making the playoffs.

Christian Fischer

Christian Fischer is someone who can really help the Detroit Red Wings.

Forward Christian Fischer will be playing his first season in Detroit after signing a 1-year/ $1.25 million contract on July 2, 2023.

He is a player that was signed for his defense and gritty play instead of his offensive capabilities. Last season while playing for the Arizona Coyotes, he recorded 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points in 80 games.

He also had 20 penalty minutes, 37 blocked shots, and 126 hits in an average of 15 minutes per night.

Fischer is a Kirk Maltby-type player. He will not make highlight reel plays in the offensive zone but he will play a physical game, get in front of the net, make life miserable for the opposition, and live on the penalty kill.

He, like Berggren, can play multiple positions, likely center and right wing. He gives depth and scoring to the bottom six and can win games single-handed with his defense.

He is likely to start the season in the bottom six but could make the most of an opportunity and play in the middle six if needed.

Fischer is the type of player Detroit needed in their lineup with Tyler Bertuzzi off to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He could be a key player down the stretch and in the playoffs as he plays a style that can help the defense in critical situations.

Shayne Gostisbehere

Shayne Gostisbehere is trying to make the Detroit Red Wings better.

Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere signed a 1-year/ $4.125 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2023. His addition completes the left side of the defense and, like Berggren and Fischer, could play an important role in the teams’ success this season.

Gostisbehere was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3rd round (78th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Last season, while playing for the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes, he totaled 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in 75 games, averaging 17 minutes of ice time.

He can play either quarterback position on the power play and will be on the first or second unit, as he is a smooth skater and can get the puck up the ice quickly.

Gostisbehere is not overly physical but can take the body if need be. He is great at the transition game and is an underrated passer. He plays well in all three zones and only jumps into the offensive zone if he feels a need to.

With the Detroit Red Wings transitioning into a younger team sooner than later, Gostisbehere is proving that he can still skate, produce offensively, and take care of his own end at 30 years old.

He may play in the middle or bottom pairing but make an impact with his experience. This was a signing Detroit needed to shore up their defense, which looks much more promising this season.

With these three players, Detroit has some weapons that contribute differently but get the job done.

All eyes will be on the bigger-name players, but every team needs a Berggren, Fischer, or Gostisbehere to be successful. They may not be elite names but they could be vital in the success of the Red Wings this season.

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