Riley-Sheahan-Nathan-Paetsch

Red Wings center Riley Sheahan (left), defended by Nathan Paetsch, is strong on the puck down low.

(Mike Mulholland/MLive.com)

DETROIT – Riley Sheahan has only 44 games of NHL experience, but already has made a big impression on the Detroit Red Wings.

The organization is high enough on Sheahan to move Darren Helm, who coach Mike Babcock has often referred to as the best third-line center in the league, to the wing on a top-two line. Sheahan had a solid rookie season playing mostly in the third-line center slot, and that's where the Red Wings plan on using him in the foreseeable future.

"We were thrilled with Riley," general manager Ken Holland said. "He's got hockey sense, he can make plays. Because of his size (6-2, 212), he's really strong on the puck down low. He makes the other team work to get the puck off him and he's good defensively.

"When a young player is good defensively, it gives them time and opportunity for the offensive side of their game to grow. If you're not good defensively, the coach gets nervous about playing you."

Sheahan, 22, developed his defensive game during three seasons at Notre Dame. It came at the expense of offense, but when the Red Wings selected him in the first round in 2010 (21st overall), they believed he had the potential to be more productive.

He showed it last season when he was promoted from Grand Rapids sooner than planned due to injuries in Detroit, particularly at center. Sheahan had nine goals and 24 points in 42 games, along with a plus-8 rating. He had good chemistry with his primary linemates, former Griffins teammates Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco.

"I think my confidence grew when I came in," Sheahan said. "All the young guys got a chance and we were able to have some success and contribute to helping the team win. That was good for us and just as the season goes on, consistency is a big thing. Staying consistent, that'll be the biggest challenge."

Sheahan, who signed a two-year, $1.9 million contract on July 1, believes he has offensive upside.

"Once you start putting up points and realizing you can contribute it definitely helps you out, and playing with guys like Jurco and Tatar and (Gustav) Nyquist, being on the power play, it all helps," Sheahan said. "Playing with such good players, it kind of makes it easier and gives you a little less stress. Knowing you have those guys to back you up on the line definitely is a help."

How the lines look for the season opener Oct. 9 vs. Boston is uncertain. Tatar has played with Pavel Datsyuk and Helm during training camp and at the start of the preseason. Sheahan has played with Jurco and Daniel Cleary.

Sheahan might be in the lineup Thursday, when the Red Wings (1-0-1) make their home preseason debut against the Chicago Blackhawks (7:30 p.m.).

"We're optimistic there's a lot more offense in there," Holland said. "Certainly it's going to take some time but we like a lot of things about Riley."

Babcock said the same. He used Sheahan in a net-front role on the power play, bumped him up to the second line at times and didn't hesitate to use him in the final minute of games to help protect a one-goal lead.

"I like that he's big, I like that he's smart, I like that he's good defensively, I like that he knows how to play," Babcock said. "He's just flat-out a good hockey player."

Despite his strong debut, the first-round playoff loss to the Bruins in five games was quite a learning experience for Sheahan, who had no points, and other young players.

"Obviously, it's not the way we wanted to go out and I think we could have maybe put up a little more of a challenge," Sheahan said. "I think this year there will be a lot of excitement, guys will be healthier. There's so much talent on the team. We have no reason to not have success, so I think it'll be a good season."

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