Jonathan Ericsson’s time as a Detroit Red Wings may be coming to an end

Embed from Getty Images Last season Jonathan Ericsson was plagued by injuries to start the season, the injuries came back at the end of the season as well. At least two different times Ericsson was a healthy scratch in back-to back games. The only consistent in Ericsson’s career has been his inconsistent play.

His time in Motown is coming to an end. So much so that Jonathan Ericsson, is not guarantee a roster spot this coming NHL season. Red Wings likely defenders this year will be Danny DeKeyser, Mike Green, Patrik Nemeth, Filip Hronek along with Madison Bowey and Dennis Cholowski.

The veteran defensemen Ericsson faces an up hill battle to knock out one of the younger better defensive players. In order for that to happen Ericsson will need to be both healthy and consistent. Two things he has yet to be in his career.

Atrocious, that is the description that is most commonly associated with Jonathan Ericsson’s defensive play. He turns the puck over way too often and has next to no pace to his game. When Ericsson is on ice his lack of pace, makes the rest of his line play without a good pace as well.

Ericsson loves to join the rush up ice, but is incapable of getting back to the defensive end because of slow foot speed. For a big defensive player, Ericsson is regularly beaten in board battles and in front of the net.

As a fan, it is unkind to point out a players flaws. However, for the rebuilding Red Wings there is no masking Ericsson’s bad play. Coupled with the fact Detroit needs to make roster spots for young defensive player makes Jonathan Ericsson the odd man out. That may not be a bad thing.

Players that will be sent to Grand Rapids to get seasoning with the Griffins will get called up for a look during the season to see how far away they are from helping the Red Wings.

Jonathan Ericsson has had opportunities and failed. It is time for the Detroit Red Wings to move on and in so doing strengthen the defense.