What's The Grind Line? Apart from the once-famous line of Kris Draper, Kirk
Maltby, and either Joe Kocur or Darren McCarty, The Grind Line is also The
Hockey Writers' weekly column about the Detroit Red Wings. Jacob Messing, Tony
 Wolak and Rachel Anderson are the muckers who make up THW's forechecking unit
and sound off on Red Wings topics.

The Detroit Red Wings enter the 2018-19 season with question marks down the
middle and a handful of natural centers in tow.

The loss of top line center Henrik Zetterberg will be significant, but Dylan
Larkin showed promise in his third season and is the consensus heir to the top
line.

After that, coach Jeff Blashill has already stated what he anticipates his
centers to look like, but training camp battles and team chemistry could make
for some fun changes entering the 2018-19 campaign.

This week, The Grind Line picks a center for each of the Red Wings' four lines
heading into training camp.First Line Center

Jacob Messing (JM): Larkin

Larkin, 22, took a significant step forward in his third season by leading all
Red Wings with 63 points (16 goals, 47 assists). He also led all forwards in
time on ice, averaging 19:51 per game as Blashill's go-to guy in all
situations. He's likely to become a bigger leader and likely break the
20-minute mark in 2018-19 as he remains the most potent offensive weapon
heading into the season.Larkin is poised to be the Red Wings'; go-to guy in all
 situations in 2018-19 as he continues to develop (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

Tony Wolak (TW): Larkin

Armed with a new contract, Larkin is now the man in the city formerly known as
Hockeytown. At five-on-five, the young franchise center was dangerous last
season with 52 points, but will need to improve on his 13 even-strength
tallies. The attribute that the Red Wings value most in Larkin, though, is his
compete level - something the organization is hoping becomes contagious among
his peers.

Rachel Anderson (RA): Larkin

As Jacob highlighted, Larkin dramatically improved during the 2017-18 season.
Larkin proved early on in his Red Wings career, that he is a reliable and
consistent skater. He's grown in strength as well as on-ice execution. Already
being a center position, there would be no learning curve as will perhaps a
winger trying to fill the void.Second Line Center

JM: Frans Nielsen

The Red Wings need more from Nielsen and allowing him to take over the second
line could be a recipe for just that. A strong two-way player, Nielsen's
offense has taken a hit since signing with Detroit in 2016, partially due to a
drop in ice time and lack of power play time. He should see more of the former
this season as a reliable veteran.

TW: Nielsen

With experience playing second-fiddle to John Tavares on the Islanders, Nielsen
 should slot in well as the No. 2 center. While most organizations would prefer
 the veteran to center the third line, Nielsen will hold up his end of the
bargain in Detroit with solid defensive play and 45-50 points overall.Even as
he ages, Nielsen could surprise Red Wings fans with a bigger role as the No. 2
center in 2018-19 (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

RA: Tyler Bertuzzi

After an incredible rookie season with the Red Wings, and having the chance to
skate alongside Zetterberg was a growing opportunity for him and he has proven
to have the grit necessary to remain on a top line. He tallied 24 points in 48
games, which for a rookie campaign, is very successful. Bertuzzi would fill the
 center slot well but would need a second line opportunity to hone his skills a
 bit more.Third Line Center

JM: Michael Rasmussen

While Blashill has already stated his anticipation for Andreas Athanasiou to
take on this role, it may be better suited for Rasmussen. It would allow him to
 learn on the fly as an NHL center against weaker talent. It would also provide
 him the opportunity to play alongside a veteran like Thomas Vanek in a year of
 the Red Wings rebuild.Related - The Grind Line: Red Wings' Next Great Rookie

TW: Athanasiou

As Jacob mentioned above, Blashill wants Athanasiou to seize the No. 3 center
role. And if he can be more effective in the faceoff circles, 'AA'; will remain
 there, possibly with Vanek and Rasmussen flanking him. Those three could form
a highly offensive line that Blashill could shelter with mostly offensive zone
starts.Athanasiou could breakout in 2018-19 as he';s been pegged to play his
natural center position on the third line (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

RA: Luke Glendening

Luke has consistently served as a fourth line center for the majority of the
2017-18 season. Having the best face-off percentage on the team, he's a key
offensive weapon to have at any time. Glendening also has become a master at
"taking out the trash" in front of the net. Not afraid to get bumped around a
bit, he's got the grit to sit at center and produce an aggressive rush to the
net. An upgrade to the third line is overdue and he'd be an excellent leader
for any up-and-coming youths.Fourth Line Center

JM: Glendening

Glendening on the fourth line is just as clear-cut as Larkin on the first. The
29-year-old is a true grinder capable of chipping in minor offense and
fantastic forechecking. Add in faceoff reliability in the defensive zone, where
 he has coincidentally started 64.9 percent of his career shifts, and he's a
tried and true No. 4 guy.

TW: Glendening

Strong on faceoffs, forechecking, and on the penalty kill, Glendening is the
perfect fourth line center. His possession numbers and offensive production may
 not be strong, but Glendening's role is to shut down others. He'll stay in
this role throughout the season unless the Red Wings choose to trade him -
Toronto had interest last year. If a trade occurs, expect Dominic Turgeon to
get the recall and step into Glendening's old shoes.Glendening has been one of
the NHL';s best face-off guys in recent seasons and is a pivot on the Red
Wings';s fourth line (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

RA: Christoffer Ehn

Following training camp, any new faces will be decided by the Red Wings, but
for a fourth line center, Christoffer Ehn would be a good choice. He's a very
skilled skater and possesses mature decision making. The slot is a hard
position to fill, but Ehn plays well on open ice and in tight situations.
Having played his career thus far on European ice for Frolunda, the tighter
workspace could prove to be a benefit for him.

The post The Grind Line: Red Wings'; Center Depth appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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