Embed from Getty Images After completing the Big Ten schedule at Michigan State, the Detroit Red Wings signed Taro Hirose. Hirose is the first Spartan to sign with the Red Wings since Justin Abdelkader. Fresh out of college Taro has recorded an assist in each of his first two games.
Taro Hirose has proven the NHL game is not to big or fast for him. Something many prospects need time to adjust to. Hirose’s poise with the puck has stood out during his Detroit showing.
Taro Hirose’s scouting report said he was an above average playmaker. Taro’s playmaking has stood out as well. He does not shoot the puck as much. But as he gets more comfortable the Wings will ask him to shoot more often.
Taro, led the NCAA in points this past season with 50, 15 Goals, 35 assists Hirose also edged out Wolverines defender Quinn Hughes winning the Big Ten player of the year award.
The 22-year-old has made a seamless transition from Michigan State to the NHL. So seamless in fact that Detroit is using him on the power play. Hirose has put his display a superb amount of speed on display.
It is rare that a player just out of college is not afraid to make plays. “I try to study the game and create offense and before you get the puck, just to know where guys like to be,” Hirose said. “Talk with my linemates and figure out the areas of the ice they like to go. It’s sort of like second nature when you get the puck, you know where they’ll be, and you can make those no-look, nice passes.”
“He looks like he wants to make a play every time he has the puck,” coach Jeff Blashill said. The Detroit Red Wings seem to have signed a player who is ready to step in full time next season. He is exactly the kind of playmaker Detroit needs going forward.
