Four Detroit Red Wings players who need to step up their game in the 2024-25 season
Steve Yzerman's goal for the Detroit Red Wings is clear: continuous improvement, individually and as a team.
For the 2024-25 season, this means building on their 91-point campaign to secure a playoff spot. Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and Patrick Kane will drive the team. While their leadership and performance are crucial, hockey is a team sport, and success depends on contributions from the entire roster.
The supporting cast will be vital for the Red Wings' playoff aspirations. Michael Rasmussen, Joe Veleno, Simon Edvinsson, and Jeff Petry are critical contributors to this group. Rasmussen and Veleno are entering the first year of their third contracts, earning $3.2 million and $2.275 million, respectively. As former first-round picks, they need to step up offensively, targeting 0.60 points per game for Rasmussen and 0.45 for Veleno. Their performance on the power play, especially in the PP2 bumper role, could elevate Detroit's bottom six and add depth to their offense.
Meanwhile, Edvinsson and Petry must form a dependable second defensive pair to ease the burden on Seider. They can free up Seider to unleash his offensive potential by taking on tougher matchups. Edvinsson, in particular, has the opportunity to fill Shayne Gostisbehere's offensive void on the blue line, further strengthening the team's defense.
While stars like Larkin and Seider will lead the charge, the performance of Rasmussen, Veleno, Edvinsson, and Petry will be pivotal. If these players can exceed expectations, the Red Wings will become a deeper, more dangerous team poised for a strong playoff push.
Source: The Hockey Writers
4 Red Wings Who Need to Step Up in 2024-25
| POLL | ||
Which one of these four players needs to step up his game the most? | ||
| Jeff Petry | 24 | 34.8 % |
| Simon Edvinsson | 7 | 10.1 % |
| Joe Veleno | 21 | 30.4 % |
| Michael Rasmussen | 17 | 24.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
