How Many Goals Will Red Wings Top Six Score?

It’s the No. 1 lament of the Detroit Red Wings faithful. Who’s going to make up for the lost goals?

The departure of 75 goals from the club’s lineup is well documented. Going out the door since season’s end were Daniel Sprong (18), David Perron (17), Robby Fabbri (18), Jake Walman (12) and Shayne Gostisbehere (10).

Those who will be tasked with leading the way for the team in terms of goal scoring this season don’t seem to think that they’ll be taxed too much to make up for the absent tallies.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily a concern,” said Alex DeBrincat, author of 27 goals last season. “I think we should be ready to play and hopefully ready to score a lot of goals.”

Debrincat scores his 13th goal of the year. 4-2 Red Wings pic.twitter.com/kdLrijM0VT

— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) December 3, 2023

Certainly, Detroit is going to be able to put out two top lines that should prove formidable when it comes time to light the lamp. IT’s onyl training camp, but the top-six forwards set out by coach Derek Lalonde are telling.

He’s keeping DeBrincat with captain Dylan Larkin (33 goals) and Lucas Raymond (31 goals). They were a potent unit last season.

“I think all of us are looking to grow, too,” DeBrincat said. “All the guys that came back were looking to improve and be better players and obviously, hopefully score more goals.”

A two-time 41-goal scorer with Chicago, it’s interesting to note that last season was considered to be an off year in terms of output for DeBrincat.

Tarasenko, Kane Are Wild Cards For Red Wings

The second line has J.T. Compher between Patrick Kane and newcomer Vladimir Tarasenko. Kane was a 20-goal scorer in 50 games after signing with the Wings in December. If you pro rate Kane’s goal output last season over 82 games, he’d be a 30-goal man.

Showtime is back: Patrick Kane scores his first goal with the Detroit Red Wings. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/rwPlxly8dv

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 10, 2023

Tarasenko is a multiple 30+ sniper during his NHL career. He once netted 40 goals. However, last season he was good for 23.

Still, with one of the greatest passers in the history of the game in Kane to distribute the puck to him, there’s cause to believe that Tarasenko could get back to somewhere near the 34 goals he scored for St. Louis in 2021-22.

“I think he’s a great shooter and he’s similar to DeBrincat in the way where he’s able to find open areas and get his shot off quickly,” Kane said of Tarasenko. “So, hopefully if I’m controlling the puck I can find him in certain areas where he can have a good chance to score.”

Larkin is also viewing Tarasenko as an X-factor when it comes to what he can bring to the Wings.

“I didn’t watch much of the first part of the playoffs, but obviously watched a lot of the finals and later rounds,” Larkin said. “And I watched Florida play and Vladi stuck out to me,” Larkin said. “I think him and Kaner can really click with Kaner’s playmaking ability and Vlad’s finishing and also Vlad’s forecheck. He can get on pucks and be very hard to play against.

“So I’m very excited to watch that line and how it goes throughout the season.”

Last season, this group of six was good for a combined 153 goals. It doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch for them to up that total to at least 165 goals this season.