The Detroit Red Wings sought to address a major gap in their top-six forward group this offseason. While the club’s biggest move was to bring in a starting goalie in John Gibson, the lack of viable forward options forced the club to settle.
The Wings settled on a former top-line winger in James van Riemsdyk, signing the 36-year-old to a one-year deal worth $1 million plus performance bonuses.
If this signing had happened 10 years ago, the Red Wings would have been the envy of the NHL. The Wings could have iced a mind-shocking top line with Patrick Kane and van Riemsdyk. However, these signings came 10 years too late, and, well, Detroit remains a rebuilding club.
Van Riemsdyk remains a solid NHL forward. He had 16 goals in 71 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. That’s great value for the contract he signed. But van Riemsdyk is hardly a top-line winger on a contending club.
Would it make sense for the Oilers to suit up van Riemsdyk with Connor McDavid or the Avalanche with Nathan MacKinnon?
The Red Wings went out on a limb to sign van Riemsdyk with the intent of having him complement Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. That’s why van Riemsdyk could end up falling down the club’s depth chart fairly quickly.
In the worst of cases, the Red Wings may have no choice but to cut ties with the veteran forward.
Red Wings Could Use van Riemsdyk Further Down the Lineup
The Red Wings could have a spot for James van Riemsdyk further down the trough. The suspicious-looking third line features Michael Rasmussen with J.T. Compher and Mason Appleton.
Compher could have a decent season as Detroit’s 3C, while Appleton seems fine as the third-line right winger. Rasmussen, meanwhile, could end up moving up the depth chart. He could push for a spot in the top six, bumping up Alex DeBrincat to the top line.
If that’s the case, the Red Wings could get an internal upgrade without needing to pursue another player outside the organization. If this optimistic scenario plays out, coach Todd McLellan could afford to bump van Riemsdyk down the lineup.
That, of course, depends on van Riemsdyk continuing to produce close to 20 goals this season. But if his production vaporizes, the low-risk experiment may come to an end.
Detroit Needs Legit Top-Six Winger
The Red Wings have a top-tier number-one center in Dylan Larkin. Assuming that Marco Kasper is ready to become the 2C, that leaves the wings to address. DeBrincat and Raymond are locks. Patrick Kane continues to defy time.
So, there’s one open spot. If one assumes DeBrincat is on the top line, it could be the second-line left wing role that could use an upgrade. If the plan is for van Riemsdyk to be a placeholder while a better option emerges on the trade market, then so be it.
Otherwise, the Red Wings could be searching all season for a legit top-six winger. One may comes available soon enough. But fans will need to be patient until one hits the market.
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