MLive’s Khan issues Wings grades

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan and the Free Press’s Helene St. James have posted their 2017-18 Red Wings grades, and this morning, MLive’s Ansar Khan joins the mix.

Among Khan’s marks and remarks:

Jimmy Howard
W-L-OT: 22-27-9, GAA: 2.85, Save percentage: .910
Contract: One year remaining at a $5.3 million cap hit.
He started well and had some good stretches but lacked consistency and posted the worst goals-against average of his career while his save percentage declined from .927 last season. None of the goalies in the system are close to being NHL-ready, so the club might sign Howard to a short-term extension before next summer.

Khan continues…

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George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, and have worked with MLive and Kukla's Korner. Thank you for reading!

15 thoughts on “MLive’s Khan issues Wings grades”

  1. George i know its alot of work but i would really like to see your player grades. I feel like you wouldnt sugar coat or BS them like most of the main stream media.

    I also know from all your traverse city evaluations that you would be way more thorough

    Thank You

  2. “Jonathan Ericsson

    GP: 81, G: 3, A: 10, PT: 13

    Contract: Two years remaining at a $4.25 million cap hit.

    He was the team’s steadiest defenseman the first half, moved the puck well and cut down on mistakes that hindered him in recent years while often playing against top lines. He wasn’t as sharp since mid-February, posting a minus-14 rating. He had career highs in hits and blocked shots.”

    I still contend the biggest reason for Big E’s first half of the season was Daly was covering for him. Once Daly was unleashed and allowed to pinch in to score and do what HE does best, Big E’s liabilities came out again.

    Not really into the grading thing, its pretty much superfluous when you look at the team standings and their rankings per category. They were not good. Coach and GM should have been left go. The Power Play has been a complete joke for three seasons now. Blash’s player usage is a step above Keystone Cops.

    Lets hope Kenny puts his pen away for Free Agency and really let these kids TRY and make the cut, instead of rotting on the bench or down in GR.

  3. A, B, C, D, F – does it really matter? Just come up with your own grades. George likely hasn’t done this because it’s a pretty useless exercise. And many will disagree with the grades anyway. Like does it matter whether Ericsson was a B- or a C+?

    I did find it ironic that Kenny said the young players have improved under Blashill…yet aside from Larkin, I haven’t seen any of the grades reflect that. All the beat writers have noted that Mantha had similar stats as last year and remains inconsistent, AA regressed, Jensen regressed, Ouellet regressed, Frk couldn’t find a suitable role, Jurco, Sheahan, Mrazek were all sent packing. Yet Kenny credits Blashill for some phantom improvement by our young players??

    1. Surprised the Pensare giving Sheahan a fair share of ice time but I was surprised they have him.

      Sorry FS I personally don’t think AA regressed or Jensen for that matter. I really can’t see AA here next year so it probably doesnt.

      The NHL is turning to some smaller DMen that are faster and can provide quick outlets. Jensen seems to fit that requirement

      1. AA’s points per game was the same as last year, despite more ice-time and more PP time. His -7 last year was sandwiched in the middle of his teammates. This year his plus/minus was dead last on the roster. So what do you think he specifically improved at?

        Same with Jensen. His offensive output declined, while his defensive game got worse. Sounds like a regression to me.

        I’m not claiming they aren’t NHL players (although Jensen is debatable) but I just don’t see evidence to back-up Kenny’s claim that our young players showed improvement under Blashill.

        1. Ice time? Does it not depend on situations and lines he plays on. Playing with Helm and Aby will net low results, playing with Larkin and Mantha should increase points?

          Jensen sort of the same thing, Dek or Big E might be bad. Did they regress in their play or stats or both. Just a few thoughts

          1. 1/2 of AA starts this season were in the offensive zone. He should have been closer to zero in the plus minus category.

        1. Hey Homers. That’s cool to disagree. So I’ll ask you the same question. Why do you feel this way? The statistics show that they regressed, but stats aren’t everything, so what specifically led to your conclusion? What specifically did AA and Jensen improve at?

          1. ahhh….I thought stats don’t always tell the whole story? but here they do? I’m so confused by your stance on stats. maybe you could show me how this stats stuff works? Maybe use some videos…..

  4. Piggybacking off of Kris,

    I also do appreciate your insight as far as ‘grades’ or whatever criteria you like, George. It’s time consuming, but I know you like to ask our opinion. And I think most people are interested in your thoughts, just based on previous years’ feedback.

    Your choice, of course, because as you have said, it’s a focus on prospects now. Might be a summer project versus a spring project!

  5. The only player I would grade above a C would be Larkin. He did actually grow this season, all other players, IMO, were average. That’s a reflection on the coaching staff.

  6. There is now a little “X” next to the commenter’s name, and if you click it, you should be able to ignore them.

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