Toronto Maple Leafs: 2021-22 Atlantic Division Preview

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens is tied up by Zach Bogosian #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens is tied up by Zach Bogosian #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 08: Alex Galchenyuk #27 of the Montreal Canadiens . (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 08: Alex Galchenyuk #27 of the Montreal Canadiens . (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Detroit Red Wings

Can anyone name the Red Wings’ top scorer for the 2020-2021 season?

Take as much time as you like. Nope, it’s not Dylan Larkin and his 9 goals and 23 points in 44 games.

Adam Erne (another player I totally knew existed) you say? Well he was actually only three points behind Larkin but nope, it’s not him. Here, I’ll give you the top scorer’s first name: Filip.

Is it 2018 6th overall pick, Filip Zadina? Good guess, but he didn’t crack the 20-point barrier. Any idea yet? Well the answer is none other than 23-year-old defenseman Filip Hronek, with 2 goals and 26 points in 56 games.  Don’t get me wrong, Hronek is a nice player and all but yea, Detroit just isn’t very good.

An offense that was 30th in goals for and 30th in PP% last year isn’t much better this year. Full, healthy years from Jakub Vrana and Tyler Bertuzzi would certainly help and the goaltending situation looks pretty good (Nedeljkovic for essentially a 3rd round pick is a steal) but the talent really drops off after the aforementioned players.

Detroit’s best fake NHL name: As I perused Detroit’s roster I began debating between Pius Suter and Taro Hirose before being absolutely bowled over by what is easily the best name in the NHL:  T-Bone Codd. T-Bone! Beat that, Costanza.