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Three Red Wings Who Could Have Breakout Seasons
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- Three Red Wings Who Could Have Breakout Seasons
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The post Three Red Wings Who Could Have Breakout Seasons appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
Mar 27, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson (20) looks to make a pass as Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) defends during the first period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Projections are everywhere around the NHL at this time of the year, and the Detroit Red Wings are no exception to this ritual.
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While the focus may be on who replaces Steve Yzerman as GM and how much longer captain Dylan Larkin will be part of the team, there are other questions worth posing as training camp approaches.
One that's always intriguing to debate is determining which players might have more to give.
Here are three players that DHN believes offer the potential to enjoy breakout seasons for the Red Wings in 2026-27.
Brandsegg-Nygard Could Step Up For Red Wings
When he began last season with the Red Wings, left-winger Michael Brandsegg-Nygard displayed the physical presence that was expected of him. What the big Norwegian forward didn't do was provide any semblance of offensive flair. He collected one assist in 14 NHL games.
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Detroit 's 2024 first-round pick has scored at every level. He's lit the lamp for Norway at World Championships. Brandsegg-Nygard scored 20 goals in 60 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins .
"He's a shooter," Griffins coach Dan Watson said. "He's a big guy.
"He knows how to protect pucks, and he's gotten better at moving pucks and seeing the plays that are open."
Can he replicate that in the NHL? Even 12-15 goals would help the goal-challenged Detroit club.
Detroit Needs Bounceback Season From Kasper
Will Marco Kasper rebound from his sophomore slump? Might he end up as Detroit's first-line center?
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Last season, Kasper slumped from 19 to nine goals and from 37 to 19 points. He skidded from plus-one to minus-20.
Entering his third NHL campaign, it's fair to wonder which Kasper will show up. Is he as good as he was in his rookie campaign? Was last season a more realistic presentation of what to expect from the Austrian?
We're going to lean toward the former outcome. Maybe he won't score 19 goals, but everyone should be penciling in Kasper for double digits in the goals column.
His determination to play the game hard and to do things the right way ensures that Kasper is rarely a liability on the ice. But the dearth of skill at center, especially if Larkin is dealt, means Kasper has to contribute more consistently in the offensive zone.
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"I know I want to produce offensively as well," Kasper said. "And a lot of it is just staying positive, going every day to the rink, positive mindset. Working hard and things will take care of itself."
Does Albert Johansson Have More Offense in Him?
As a third-pairing defender, Albert Johansson has proven to be a steadying presence. He's not spectacular at anything, but the fact that he recognizes his limitations and plays within himself has helped to make Johansson effective in his role.
On those rare occasions when he goes on offensive forays, Johansson has produced some highlight-reel goals.
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He's scored three goals in each of the past two seasons. Does Johansson have more to give in attack?
He thinks so.
"I would say I was maybe a little bit more offensive defenseman back home in Sweden when I played there," Johansson said. "And then since I came over here, I focus a lot on my defensive game.
"I think I've been taking steps in that way, and now I feel like my offensive game kind of shows up a little bit more over here, too."
The post Three Red Wings Who Could Have Breakout Seasons appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now .
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