Red Wings Revamp Forward Lines After Losing Streak

Line 1: Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond

Strategy: This line is an “all eggs in one basket” approach. Detroit’s top 3 point scorers are all together. They’ve tried it before; it’s one where each player is a threat to score or pass. Truth be told, this is probably the top line they should be running. DeBrincat is the only first-line caliber left-wing this team has. Generally, this should help Larkin and Raymond at even strength.

Line History:

2025: 2GF 0GA, 90.9 SF% 83.3 CF%

2024: 9GF 13GA, 50.7 SF% 55.4 CF%

2023: 23GF 17GA, 51.7 SF% 53.4 CF%

Line 2: Emmitt Finnie – J.T. Compher – Patrick Kane

Strategy: This is certainly an interesting choice. No, Kasper with Kane seems like an odd choice, but the offensive thesis of this line is clear; Finnie will be F1, and Compher’s stick tension and IQ should help Kane get the puck. This line will go as far as Patrick Kane is able to take them. They should be decent enough defensively as well.

Line History:

2025: 0GF 0GA, 87.5 SF% 78.6 CF%

Line 3: Marco Kasper – Nate Danielson – Mason Appleton / Elmer Soderblom

Strategy: Breaking in rookie Danielson with Appleton and Kasper is certainly a choice. Danielson is a decent offensive facilitator, but I doubt we’re going to see that be a strength right away. This line will be functionally an energy line; all three of them can skate and get pucks to the net, but none of them are really pure finishers. I’d rather see Berggren on this line, but that’s neither here nor there.

Line History:

2025: 0GF 0GA, 58.3 SF% 65.4 CF%

Line 4: Michael Rasmussen – Andrew Copp – James Van Riemsdyk / Jonathan Berggren

Strategy: Admittedly, this line would be a lot more exciting with JVR – Copp – Berggren. It would be a really good offensive fourth line with some defensive talent. Rasmussen seems to be a failed experiment in this bottom six, but I doubt the coaching staff sees it the same way I do, given how often Berggren has been scratched. This is essentially a checking line that will match up fairly well against most bottom-six lines. They’re all competent players, but replacing Rasmussen with Berggren would give this line some offensive flair that would bring out the best in JVR, not to mention Berggren being a solid forechecker this year.

Line History:

2025: 1GF 0GA, 56.3 SF% 47.1 CF%

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