“I made the game hard on myself when I was younger — trying to find that balance like I talk about,” Green told Sporting News. “Here, I kind of find a way to make the game easier. Sometimes that’s simplifying things and I think here in Detroit I’ve been able to find that.”
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Green spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Capitals. While in Washington, Green served as the blue line’s main source of production. He totaled at least 35 points in five seasons and was twice a Norris Trophy runner-up, while establishing himself as one of the game’s top offensive defensemen.
As he matured, Green’s game evolved, as well. His evolution to become a more complete all-around defenseman took shape after Green signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Red Wings in 2015.
Green adopted the Red Wing’s system, one that isn’t as offensive minded, and learned a crucial balance as a defenseman.
“There’s a certain responsibility on defense that you contribute,” Green said. “I think Detroit plays very defensively so it’s taken me a year or two to find where I can find that balance between offense and defense, but you’ve got to play the system. You’ve got to play the team game first. Sometimes you’ve got to bring yourself back a little, offensively.”
The Calgary native’s offensive production dropped ever so slightly with Detroit, but the skillset remains. Green led Red Wings’ defensemen in scoring during his first two seasons; and in the final year of his contract, Green is poised to lead them once again.
Green tallied 21 points through 34 games this season. He is on pace to surpass his point total from a year ago — the most he recorded since leaving Washington.
Among defensemen that are set to become free agents at season’s end, Green is one of the marquee names that could be available July 1. Washington’s John Carlson is the only defenseman to have the scoring edge on Green. With Detroit forwards Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha beginning to take the Red Wings’s offensive reins, and the team missing out on last year’s playoffs, it’s possible the Red Wings’ priority is to continue with their rebuild. It all makes the veteran defenseman an ideal candidate to find a new home at February’s trade deadline.
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Green’s focus isn’t on what may happen in February or what his future entails. Instead, Green wants Detroit to “stick to our principles and stay the course” as it attempts to end the calendar year with a strong road-trip.
“I don’t think too much that way,” Green said. “I think I’m more short-term in the sense of my day-to-day approach. You know, I’m worried about the next four or five months here so whatever transpires…we’ll see but I’m focused, right now, on this.”
