Jonathan Ericsson learns to make every shift count

[hokeychik22 17]

http://freep.com/article/20091129/SPORTS05...ry-shift-count-

As the Red Wings progress through the season, every game is a learning tool for young defenseman Jonathan Ericsson.

The Wings knew from what they saw briefly of Ericsson last season and in the playoffs that he was ready to help their squad. He showed himself reliable in his own end and capable of helping out offensively with his big shot. The transition to the NHL isn't an easy one, though, and Ericsson's biggest adjustment this season is to figure out how to be a contributing factor every night.

"When he came in last year, he played real well -- we didn't look on him as being a rookie," Nicklas Lidstrom said. "Now he's relied a lot more upon, and so he's getting more comfortable in the situations he's put into. And that's the next big step you have to take -- after coming in last year and feeling good about yourself, and you're excited and happy to get a chance to play, now you're counted on every day. Now you have to find that consistency in your game and how you play."

Ericsson took seven assists and 10 points into Saturday's game at St. Louis, the third-most points among the team's defensemen. After beginning the season on the third pairing, because of mounting injuries he's now being used as a top-four defenseman and is usually out on the first penalty-kill unit opposite Brad Stuart.

Stuart sees a tremendous upside to his 25-year-old partner.

"He's definitely got a world of potential," Stuart said. "Right now for him, it's just about figuring out how to bring that intensity every day. That's something that isn't easy to do, but he's been playing pretty well, I think. And once he does figure all that stuff out, he's going to be a really good player. He's got all the skills. It's just a matter of playing hard every shift, and it's not easy when you're young to do it every single game."

As much as Ericsson looked like he belonged in the NHL a year ago, he says spending the majority of last season in Grand Rapids as the go-to defenseman proved most beneficial to his development, especially now that more is being asked of him. The lessons, though, don't stop on the ice -- it's what he sees teammates do off the ice that's making just as big an impression.

"Guys in here, they're working out hard and you just look at the leadership here," Ericsson said. "You look at what they're doing and you take that in and you know you have to do the same thing if you're going to get somewhere."

[Guest Lidstromboli]

he has looked a lot better lately, esp. after being moved up in the pairings

[Jake Ryan 1]

he has looked a lot better lately, esp. after being moved up in the pairings

I wish that Ritola, Tatar, and Kindl were learning to make shifts count in a Red Wings uni, as well.