• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Detroit Red Wings

The Grind Line: Red Wings of the Month

By Jacob Messing November 1st, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

There have been ups and downs in the Detroit Red Wings ten games in October. After opening the season with consecutive losses against Tampa Bay and Florida, the Wings went on a six-game winning streak to improve to 6-2-0.

The Wings’ six-game streak was snapped by Boston and followed up by another loss to division-rival Florida.

The good news is the win streak was a team effort that seemed to be carried by a different factor each night, let’s take a look at some of the players who have highlighted the start of the Red Wings season.

Jacob Messing: Gustav Nyquist

10 GP: 3 G, 5 A, 8 Pts., plus-2

Gustav Nyquist got off to a hot start with a three-game point streak to begin the season. He recorded three assists in that time but managed just two shots on net through Detroit’s first four games.

A lack of shooting to that degree is scary when Nyquist is known as a sniper. However, the Goose showed off his shot by firing off 12 shots that saw him tally three goals—and two assists—over the course of Detroit’s next three games.

https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/789985332959797248

Nyquist has hit a slight slump in Detroit’s last three games, though, failing to record a point while going minus-four in that time. Given that seven teammates have more powerplay points that he does, his lone powerplay point is slightly worrisome, too, as the Wings hold the 15th spot in team powerplay percentage.

There’s not a whole lot to criticize the 27-year-old Swede for this season as he looks to have a bounce-back year after a career-low 17 goals and 43 points last season.

Nyquist’s eight points are good enough to have him tied for the team lead with newcomer Thomas Vanek.

Tom Mitsos: Thomas Vanek

7 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 Pts., plus-5

Vanek has been quite the surprise for the Red Wings. Signed to a one-year, $2.6 million “low-risk, high-reward” deal this summer, the Red Wings are being rewarded early. He has eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games, having missed the past three games with a lower-body injury.

Heading into Sunday night’s game against Florida, Vanek led the team in five on five goals per 60 minutes (1.78), is second in primary assists per 60 (1.78) and is first in primary points per 60 (3.57), according to Corsica. He also is second on the team in average shot distance (17.32 feet).

That small average shot distance is evidenced by the last goal he scored against Carolina on Oct. 25. Watch below as Vanek finds the soft spot in the defense and rips a one-timer past Cam Ward.

https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/791063877714927616

While he might not be the same player who twice scored 40 goals in a season, Vanek still has great hockey IQ and is able to contribute offensively on a team that has struggled to score in recent years.

Vanek’s score-adjusted five-on-five Corsi-for percentage could be better (48.45), but to be fair, there were only four Red Wings who have a CF% of more than 50% heading into Sunday’s game, as the team has struggled to sustain offense this season.

Vanek also has a massively high shooting percentage (30.8) that is not at all sustainable; he has 13 shots in all situations in seven games that will start to decline, especially if he shoots the puck more.

Tony Wolak: Thomas Vanek

7 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 Pts., plus-5

When Ken Holland signed Vanek this summer, there was a collective groan across Red Wings social media, “Another veteran?”

Ten games into Vanek’s Red Wings career, the social media temperament has flipped completely.

After being bought out by Minnesota, the 32-year-old Austrian winger took the personnel move personally. Vanek’s point production had dipped from 68 during the 2013-14 season, to 52 in 2014-15 and then 41 points last season. Minnesota simply decided that Vanek’s skills would continue to decline and he was not worth what they were paying him.

It really surprises me how many people thought Thomas Vanek's days as a good player were over.

— Daniel Friedman (@DanJFriedman) October 26, 2016

There was certainly reason for skepticism this summer when Vanek signed a one-year, “prove it” deal with Detroit. But he’s met that doubt with eight points in seven games with the Red Wings; good enough for first place on the team.

Vanek instantly found chemistry with Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist and has made his right-handed presence felt on the power play. He hasn’t been afraid to go into high-contact spaces and fight for the puck, fitting in well with Detroit’s new, tougher attitude.

While Vanek’s point-per-game pace may not be sustainable throughout the season, he has provided the value Detroit was looking for when they signed him this offseason. Vanek’s presence on the third line has given the Red Wings three legitimate scoring lines. This also allows Jeff Blashill to deploy lines at will, without worrying too much about matchups.

Ten games in, Vanek is meeting and exceeding expectations.

Brandon Peleshok: Mike Green

10 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 Pts., plus-0

Without question, Mike Green was the Detroit Red Wings’ best defenseman during the month of October. He was quite possibly their best player, period. Through 10 games, Green was able to generate three goals and four assists for seven points.

Mike Green

Green has been Detroit’s best defenseman this season. (James Guillory/ USA TODAY Sports)

The 31-year-old rearguard played more minutes on the power play than any other Red Wings defenseman, leading the team with 4:02 PP TOI/GP. Surprisingly, he also led the team’s defense corps in TOI/GP, playing an average of 23:44 a night. Blashill has even used him (albeit, sparingly) on the team’s penalty kill when necessary.

It is an encouraging start to the 2016-17 season for Green, who did not necessarily meet expectations last season. Carrying a $6 million cap hit, Red Wings fans were hoping for a little more offense from the right-handed blueliner, who chipped in with 35 points through 74 games.

For now, the increased role has suited Green well. It is still unclear just when Niklas Kronwall is going to return to the lineup, but it could have an impact on Green’s role on the team. For now, it is apparent that Green has earned himself the trust of his head coach.

  • Tags
  • Gustav Nyquist
  • Mike Green
  • The Grind Line
  • Thomas Vanek
  • Top Story
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 17th 6:35 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Hope Early Start Leads to Bounce Back

Jan 17th 5:50 PM
New York Islanders

Islanders Loss Can’t Be Pinned on Sorokin Entirely

Jan 17th 5:15 PM
Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings: Zadina’s Start Sparks the Imagination

Jan 17th 5:05 PM
Archives

Jacques Plante: The Man in the Fiberglass Mask

Jan 17th 4:25 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Make Tough Decision in Waiving Spezza and Dell

Jan 17th 4:05 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Joe Thornton’s First Maple Leafs’ Goal: Just a Little Trickery Out There

Jan 17th 3:55 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues’ Winter 2021 Prospect Pyramid

Jan 17th 3:40 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: White, Batherson, Stützle & More

Jan 17th 3:30 PM
Boston Bruins

First-Year Islanders Shocked Big, Bad Bruins 48 Years Ago

Jan 17th 2:55 PM
Detroit Red Wings

NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Oilers, Canadiens, Flyers, Red Wings, More

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information