Red Wings Reset: 2022-23 left and right wing breakdown

DETROIT -- When asked about the attractiveness of the Detroit Red Wings job, Derek Lalonde highlighted the Red Wings' promising outlook as a key reason why he wanted to become the 28th head coach in franchise history.

"Obviously, a long way to go, but there's a lot to work with," Lalonde said in his introductory press conference on July 1. "There's some things to work with there that really excites me as a coach."
And in his first season in Detroit, one of Lalonde's most important tasks will be helping a talented crop of natural wingers reach their full potential.
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's "Red Wings Reset" series, which previews Detroit's 2022-23 roster and new-look coaching staff, is a focus on the wingers.

Headlining the group is Tyler Bertuzzi, who finished as the Red Wings' second-highest scorer last season by setting career-highs in goals (30), assists (32) and points (62) in 68 games. It was a bounce-back campaign for the 27-year-old, who played just nine games in 2020-21 due to a nagging back injury.
Bertuzzi, who enters the final season of a two-year contract he signed in 2021, remains focused on his development.
"I think every year, I've gotten a bit better in different skillsets," Bertuzzi said on May 4. "Juniors, I got better every year just because you're so young. And in the pros, I think I'm gonna continue to get better every year."
Another player who impressed last season was Lucas Raymond, who earned his way onto Detroit's Opening Night roster last October and never looked back.
In his debut NHL campaign, the 20-year-old finished third among all rookies in points (57), fourth in assists (34), tied for second in goals (23) and was one of only three first-year skaters to play all 82 games.

"It was a really fun first season," said Raymond, who finished fourth in last season's Calder Memorial Trophy voting as the NHL's top rookie. "Of course, the results weren't what we wanted but for me, personally, I really enjoyed it."
Jakub Vrana, 26, who was sidelined for six months after suffering a shoulder injury in 2021 Training Camp, provided an instant offensive spark after making his 2021-22 debut on March 8, tallying 19 points (13-6-19) in just 26 games.
Givani Smith and Adam Erne also return to the mix, and restricted free agent Filip Zadina is hoping to continue his NHL development after missing Detroit's final five games last season due to appendicitis.

After splitting his third professional campaign between the Red Wings and American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins in 2020-21, Smith signed a two-year contract on Sept. 14, 2021. The 23-year-old embraced the opportunity, leading to career-high marks in goals (four), points (seven) and games played (46).
In his third campaign with Detroit, the 27-year-old Erne had six goals and 13 helpers, playing a career-high 79 games. And as for Zadina, 22, he enters his fifth NHL season after setting career-highs in goals (10), assists (14) points (24) and games played (74).
The Red Wings also added free-agent wingers Dominik Kubalik, David Perron and Matt Luff this offseason.
Kubalik, who agreed to a two-year deal with Detroit, earned 32 points (15-17-32) in 78 games in 2021-22 for the Chicago Blackhawks. According to the 26-year-old, he's "very excited" to prove himself in Detroit.
"I'm hoping that I can do much better than I did last year," Kubalik said in his introductory media session on July 14. "I know it's in me and I'm gonna do everything I can to prove it. I can't ask for a better opportunity and higher motivation than I have right now."

The 34-year-old Perron also signed a two-year deal with Detroit after recording 27 goals and 30 assists in 67 games last season with the St. Louis Blues, including 13 points (9-4-13) in 12 postseason games.
"The moment you get a call from Steve Yzerman, it catches your attention right away," Perron said in his introductory media session on July 13. "Obviously, I had several options bouncing around in my head, with my agent and with my family, but I think the Red Wings are a team ready to take the next step in their evolution as a team. I wanted to be part of that."

Last season, the 25-year-old Luff, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Wings, tallied three goals and three assists in 23 games with the Nashville Predators.
Also vying for a roster spot is Jonatan Berggren, who set the Grand Rapids rookie scoring record in 2021-22 by tallying 64 points (21-43--64) in 70 games during his first campaign with the Griffins.
Follow along as DetroitRedWings.com breaks down the Red Wings' 2022-23 roster, position by position, and new-look coaching staff:
Defensemen breakdown
Centermen breakdown
Left and right wing breakdown
Goalie breakdown
Coaching staff breakdown