3 Detroit Red Wings that are early All-Star Game candidates
The 2024 NHL All-Star game is right around the corner and some players are making their case to be in the hockey classic this season. For the Detroit Red Wings, it's no different.
Detroit as a team has been successful for the first quarter of the season. Some Red Wings have been more productive than others, while others have needed only a few games to show their worth to the team.
The 2024 NHL All-Star game will be played at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The mid-season event has several changes this season, including this being a three-day event this year.
NHL All-Star Thursday will take place on February 1, 2024, including a player draft, a Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) 3-on-3 showcase, and the winner of the NHL Alumni Man of the Year is announced.
The skills competition will take place on Friday, February 2, 2024, and the traditional NHL All-Star game will be on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Below are three players, including one forward, one defenseman, and one goaltender from the Red Wings who could make the squad this year"
Alex DeBrincat is incredibly deserving of an All-Star Game nod.
After months of speculation, forward Alex DeBrincat was officially traded to Detroit from the Ottawa Senators.
He was under the microscope as a talented goal scorer to produce how he had with the Chicago Blackhawks as his season with Ottawa was a bit disappointing. He has not been a disappointment with Detroit.
In 28 games with the Red Wings, he has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points, 14 hits, and eight blocked shots while posting an even plus/ minus rating. His 13 goals and 26 points both lead the Red Wings.
He has been nothing short of amazing since his debut with Detroit giving the team a legit scoring threat every time on the ice.
DeBrincat comes as advertised and is a forward who can produce offensively in bunches. He is a first-line player who is offense first and can set the tone once in the offensive zone.
The signing of former Blackhawks teammate, Patrick Kane, will only help boost his production even more and continue to remain one of the league's best goal scorers.
Shayne Gostisbehere would be a great blue-liner for the All-Star Game.
Another player in his first year in Detroit, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is showing glimpses of his early career when he was one of the league's best offensive defensemen.
Signing as a free agent, Gostisbehere has shown no signs of slowing down and continues to lead the team from the blue line.
This season, Gostisbehere has five goals and 16 assists for 21 points and 25 blocked shots in 27 games. He has two goals and nine assists for 11 points, which ranks seventh among NHL defensemen.
He currently has a shooting percentage of 11.4% and is 11th among defensemen scoring in the league.
He has come into Detroit and has been a real asset to the power play. His experience gives him the right time to shoot and where to put the puck for deflections and rebounds.
His calm demeanor plays a key role as he can play his best hockey in the most critical of situations. His patience with the puck is not talked about but that helps him set up his teammates for dangerous scoring chances.
Alex Lyon is a goaltender that could be deserving of an All-Star Game.
Alex Lyon has proven his worth in only a few games. Yet another player shining in his first year with the Detroit Red Wings, Lyon has been excellent between the pipes and allowed the game to come to him.
He is 4-2 with a 2.13 goals-against-average, a .931 save percentage, and one shutout. He earned his first career point with an assist on Patrick Kane's first goal as a Red Wings player.
His career-high in wins is nine and he is halfway to that total already and it is well within reach. He is now sixth in the league n save percentage and fifth in goals against average.
He should be considered as a goaltender who makes the All-Star team because of his play behind a suspect defense.
The defense has been a concern for the Red Wings as some defensemen have not played up to expectations and have left the goaltenders out to dry on more than one occasion.
By looking at the statistics of the Detroit goaltenders, Lyon stands out and it is not close. He is pushing for the starter role in Detroit and may get it before the season is half over and lead the Detroit Red Wings to a playoff spot.