Month: October 2020

The Wings’ “The Word on Woodward” show on Thursday included interviews with long-time USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen and The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler:

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s pre-draft press conference yielded 41 minutes’ worth of information regarding the Red Wings’ priorities in both the draft and free agency, as well as the news that the team would not retain Jimmy Howard’s services.

Here are some of the highlights from the media’s coverage of Yzerman’s commentary:

1. NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika took note of Yzerman’s comments regarding Jimmy Howard and free agency:

Continue reading Media notes from Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s pre-draft presser

The Red Wings made it official yesterday: the team is not bringing back Jimmy Howard as Jonathan Bernier’s back-up. The Wings posted a “thank you” video paying tribute to Howard on their YouTube channel:

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman spoke with the media for 41 minutes yesterday. Here’s a clip of the press conference, via the Red Wings’ YouTube channel:

My apologies for the delayed posting of the Yzerman presser today. I’ve been battling through anxiety and panic attacks and have been struggling to open my laptop lid.

Some days, people with anxiety and depression aren’t particularly productive, and I’m having a very uncomfortable time. I’ve taken extra medication and hope to be back on the beat later this evening or tomorrow.

Oddly enough, Aunt Annie is having a similarly bad anxiety day, so this one seems to be running in the family.

Again, apologies for the delays.

According to Red Wings arena host Daniella Bruce, today’s, “The Word on Woodward” will focus on the NHL draft, with comments from Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, hockey scribe Kevin Allen and The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler:

The #WordOnWoodward is live today at 12pm on @DetroitRedWings & @tigers Facebook, YouTube, and twitter!We’ll go live to Steve Yzerman’s pre-draft press conference and talk with @ByKevinAllen, @KenKalDRW, @scottcwheeler and @cmccosky. YOU DONT WANT TO MISS IT!— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) October 1, 2020

Yzerman will appear at 1 PM EDT, and TWOW starts at 12 PM EDT:

Update: FYI:

The #WordOnWoodward is highlighting draft prospects Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz today at noon. https://t.co/JcI8QxrNRY

Would you want to see one of them rock the Winged Wheel? #DRWDraft— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2020

Enjoy:

The gloves are off! @NicklasLidstrom, @Jeff_Daniels, @MitchAlbom, @hillharper and more all join us to rip on Scotty Bowman, winningest NHL coach of all time. Join us for the Celebrity Roast of Scotty Bowman presented by @DeltaDentalMI on October 14 at 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/dn9vlsK80N— Jamie Daniels Foundation (@JDanielsFund) October 1, 2020

I heartily support this Tweet from the Red Wings:

Don't forget to ????! Get everything you need to be prepared at → https://t.co/qOzJfZ7L6W. ?️@MichSOS | #MIPlan2Vote pic.twitter.com/riF8h7zv5z

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 1, 2020

Red Wings prospect Michael Rasmussen has joined the Graz 99ers ahead of their Friday home game against the Dornbirn Bulldogs. The Kronen Zeitung Steiermark’s Christoph Kothgasser has the answer as to why Rasmussen’s arrival in Graz was delaye, and what follows is roughly translated from German:

On the way to Graz: Like Tom Hanks! 99ers-Star sat in Airport fest

It seems impossible! The new 99ers ice hockey star Michael Rasmussen didn’t stand on the ice for the first time until Thursday instead of Tuesday, as was hoped. The NHL forward, who was loaned from Detroit to Styria from the Detroit Red Wings, was stuck at the airport for two days. And he should have felt like he was in the wrong movie…

The scenery was almost Hollywood-like. Like film actor Tom Hanks, who was unable to continue traveling in the film “Terminal” (2004) due to bureaucratic problems and had to remodel the airport into his short-term home, so did new-99ers ice hockey player Michael Rasmussen recently.

The Canadian was simply unlucky. His intermediate flight did not go from Brussels (Belgium) to Vienna (Austria), as planned, but instead, via Zurich (Switzerland). However, the NHL forward should never have been allowed to enter Switzerland due to the coronavirus and travel regulations. That became a real problem for the authorities. The 21-year-old was not allowed to leave the airport premises and was virtually locked in at the terminal. Ultimately, after hours of phone calls, a solution was found. And so the new NHL star will take part in practice for the 99ers for the first time [today]. He’s already eagerly awaited…

Of 2020 NHL draft-related note this morning:

1. ESPN’s Chris Peters has already surmised what might happen at this year’s NHL draft, and this morning, in an article for ESPN+, Peters ranks his top 100 prospects, giving a certain player linked to the Wings his #4 overall ranking…

4. Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL)

Age: 18 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 177
Shot: L | Previous rank: 5

He can score, he can make plays and his skill is elite. But what I like best about Perfetti are his vision and offensive sense, giving him the ability to pick apart opposing defenses on the rush or in the zone. He can extend plays and seems to always have a plan with the puck on his stick. Perfetti has a pure release on his shot and snaps passes about as well as anyone else in the class. His skating is closer to average, but that is a much bigger problem for players who can’t think the game the way Perfetti does.

2. And The Athletic’s Corey Pronman takes on the massive task of attempting to discern what will happen in each and every one of the NHL draft’s 7 rounds, also listing a certain prospect as the Wings’ probable pick:

4. Detroit Red Wings: Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw-OHL

The only two names I’ve heard recently linked to Detroit by multiple sources are Perfetti and goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. One source made a good point regarding Perfetti, in that so many people seem to think that’s who Detroit is taking that it’s almost suspicious. Ultimately, I have to go with what all my information is telling me, even if my instinct says that Askarov, defenseman Jake Sanderson or forward Lucas Raymond could very well go at this spot.

Peters (subscriber-only) and Pronman (ditto) both continue; my voice doesn’t mean as much, but Perfetti’s the guy I’ve heard linked to the Wings as well.

Update: Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino ranks his top prospects for the 2020 draft as well, and he goes away from Perfetti:

4. Jake Sanderson, D, (USNTDP): With the recency bias of the tough and physical Stanley Cup Playoffs, it will be hard to pass-up a defender who has both of those characteristics and who showed signs of being a strong offensive player as the year wore on.