Patrick Kane, speaking from his experience with Erik Gustafsson during their time together on the Chicago Blackhawks, has highlighted Gustafsson's offensive skills and effectiveness on the power play.
Kane emphasized Gustafsson's ability to quarterback the power play and make deceptive plays from the blue line, comparing him favorably to other teammates he's played with.
Despite Gustafsson's fluctuating point production in recent seasons with various teams, Kane and the Detroit Red Wings management see his potential to step into a significant role. Specifically, the Red Wings plan to utilize Gustafsson to replace Shayne Gostisbehere's offensive contributions, particularly on the power play. General Manager Steve Yzerman has expressed confidence in Gustafsson's ability to fill this role effectively.
Gustafsson himself is enthusiastic about the opportunity, noting his comfort and confidence in playing on the power play and contributing to offensive setups. He acknowledges the expectations placed on him in Detroit and is eager to leverage his skills in his new team's system.
Based on their successful history together, Kane's endorsement of Gustafsson's capabilities adds optimism that Gustafsson can thrive in his new role with the Red Wings, potentially replicating or exceeding his past performances, especially when given the opportunity to quarterback the power play unit.