The Free Press’s Helene St. James spoke with Red Wings forwards Martin Frk and Evgeny Svechnikov regarding the pair’s chemistry:
As the Red Wings’ season closes in on the final two weeks, Frk is trying to regain his scoring touch. He had two assists in the two games entering Thursday’s game against the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena, one of them an especially joyous one. He’s been playing on a line with newcomer Evgeny Svechnikov and veteran Luke Glendening, and had a hand in Svechnikov’s first NHL goal when his own shot rebounded to Svechnikov. The two have history from playing together last season in Grand Rapids.
“I was really happy for him,” Frk said after the morning skate. “I was actually glad I didn’t score and it bounced right to him, because it was special moment for him. I know that he has really good shot. When I play with him, it’s like I don’t want to take all those shots because I know he can shoot the puck as well. If he is open in the slot, he can fire the puck.”
The line has a nice mix of size and skill. Svechnikov (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) plays in dirty areas and is heavy on the puck. Frk (6-1, 205) has an incredibly hard shot, and he makes nice short plays along the wall. Glendening (5-11, 192) is a good face-off guy and all-around responsible defensively.
“They’ve played well together, and then Glennie gives them a great veteran presence,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s probably our best defensive player, and so with two younger players, in Svech’s case still learning some of the system stuff, I think Glennie can really help them. He gives them a stabilizing force, gives me lots of trust to play the line — any time Glennie is on the ice, there is way more trust.”
St. James continues, and she posted a video of Frk and Svechnikov (and coach Blashill) speaking with the media as well:
