Month: January 2021

Khan on the 2nd scrimmage: Blashill happy with better habits from his charges

Team Red defeated Team White 8-3 in the Red Wings’ second intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, and MLive’s Ansar Khan notes that Wings coach Jeff Blashill (and the rest of us Wings fans) was happy to see the levels of his teams’ intensity and execution increase over Tuesday’s (understandably) rust-filled mess of a scrimmage:

“I thought the habits were more like the type of habits you need to get ready to play real games,” Blashill said. “I thought the intensity was higher, I thought we skated harder. I thought that was driven by guys like Mantha, Larkin and (Tyler) Bertuzzi, which is real important for us. They got to be guys driving the bus and I thought they did a real good job of it. The rest of the team was the same way. I think tonight’s scrimmage helps us advance and get better.”

Bertuzzi, who also is getting a look on the PK, scored a pair of goals. The top line has looked as good as expected in camp.

“We just know where the other guys are going to be on the ice, (make) quick plays, trying to roll around,” Mantha said. “You know Bert is going to handle the puck wherever it is, Larks is super-quick, so he opens a lot of plays. I just try to find the open area and get shots off.”

The Red Team, featuring the top two lines, prevailed 7-2. Blashill liked what he saw from the second line of Robby Fabbri, Filip Zadina and Michael Rasmussen, who filled in for Bobby Ryan.

“Fabs’ impact on the game was the best he’s had,” Blashill said. “He was on top of more plays, he had the puck more. I think Zadina has worked extremely hard, so he’s hunted pucks a lot and done a good job and he’s going to have to do that. Fabs competed real hard on the puck, had the puck a little more.”

Continued; Troy Stecher, Matias Brome, likely Griffin Riley Barber and several other players had really good games, and Jon Merrill was quiet, which is exactly what you want to see from a stay-at-home guy. Filip Hronek let a couple of cannons go into the net from his customary one-timer spot in the left faceoff circle as well.

Update: DetroitRedWings.com’s Josh Berenter also noted Blashill and Anthony Mantha’s comments about the scrimmage:

Continue reading Khan on the 2nd scrimmage: Blashill happy with better habits from his charges

Post-scrimmage #2 media availabilities: Mantha, Blashill

The Red Wings have posted a pair of Zoom media availabilities held after the second Red vs. White scrimmage, which Team Red won 8-3. Anthony Mantha spoke with the media, as did coach Jeff Blashill. If more interviews are posted, I’ll post them here:

Update: The Blashill interview has been revised:

Continue reading Post-scrimmage #2 media availabilities: Mantha, Blashill

Good news(?) regarding Bobby Ryan

This is the new normal, so we’d better get used to it:

Bobby Ryan indeed gets the “unfit to play” designation tonight— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 9, 2021

Per Jeff Blashill, Bobby Ryan “unfit” to take part in tonight’s scrimmage. Could mean injury, illness …— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) January 9, 2021

Bobby Ryan was “unfit to play” for today’s Red and White game. Blashill also said it’s day to day. @DetroitRedWings #LGRW— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) January 9, 2021

Detroit News’s Falkner checks in with Justin Abdelkader’s attempts to find a new NHL employer

The Detroit News’s Mark Falkner spoke with Justin Abdelkader’s agent regarding his client’s desire to find a new NHL employer after being bought out by the Red Wings:

The agent for former Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader said Abdelkader is still looking for “the right fit” with the National Hockey League season scheduled to start next week with five games on Wednesday.

The Red Wings open the 2020-21 season the following night at Little Caesars Arena against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“Justin is eager to join a new NHL team,” said Newport Sports Management agent Wade Arnott, who also represents Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser. “We’re continuing to monitor NHL training camps.”

Continued

Kulfan: Where does Frans Nielsen fit into the lineup?

Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen had an awful 2019-2020 season, and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan wonders aloud where Nielsen fits into the Red Wings’ lineup–if he fits at all–as the 20-21 season looms:

The Wings’ lineup is far from cemented.

Darren Helm (unfit to play) has been out since the second day of camp, and his availability for Thursday’s regular-season opener is unknown. Evgeny Svechnikov (unfit to play) is in a similar position after suffering an apparent arm/shoulder injury during the team’s first scrimmage. Mathias Brome, an undrafted free agent, has surprised enough to the point where he appears a lock for a lineup spot.

All those ingredients might have Blashill essentially deciding between Nielsen and Adam Erne, potentially, for opening in the lineup, if Helm is unavailable.

“Frans is like the other guys on the team, he has to keep earning that ice time,” Blashill said. “He has a great attitude, he’s been a great pro. I have a lot of respect for him as a person and what he’s done in his career.

“We have a lot of camp left and the competition continues. Frans is in competition for one of the 12 spots. The competition isn’t over unless they (the competing players) let the competition be over with their play. If guys want to earn spots, they can grab a spot (with their play). We’re looking at it and we’ll see how it’s going to start on Jan. 14.”

Continued

Prospect round-up: Eliasson wins in Austria; Kotkansalo scores a rare goal

Of Red Wings prospect-related note this afternoon:

In North America, the Providence College Friars announced that Jack Adams’ transfer from Union College has been accepted, so Adams will play in this weekend’s back-to-back series vs. Boston University;

In Europe, in the ICE Hockey League, Jesper Eliasson stopped 22 of 24 shots as the Red Bulls Salzburg won 3-2 over the Bratislava Capitals;

In the Finnish Liiga, Kasper Kotkansalo scored a goal but finished at -2 with 5 shots in 21:19, and Otto Kivenmaki had an assist and took a penalty, finishing even in 15:37 as Assat Pori lost 4-2 to Ilves;

Victor Brattstrom stopped 25 of 26 shots as he back-stopped KooKoo to a 3-1 win over Tappara;

Eemil Viro didn’t play in TPS Turku’s 2-1 shootout loss to Sport;

Continue reading Prospect round-up: Eliasson wins in Austria; Kotkansalo scores a rare goal

Red Wings post second ‘Red vs. White Game’ scrimmage team rosters

FYI regarding tonight’s 7 PM scrimmage’s respective team rosters:

Update:

Red Wings, FSD announce broadcast schedule for January, February 2021

From the Red Wings:

RED WINGS, FOX SPORTS DETROIT ANNOUNCE BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR GAMES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY … 49 Total Regular-Season Wings Games to be Featured on FOX Sports Detroit During 2020-21 Season …  

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings and FOX Sports Detroit today announced the 2020-21 Red Wings local television schedule for games in January and February.  The remainder of the broadcast schedule for regular-season games played in March, April and May will be announced at a later date.

FOX Sports Detroit (FSD) continues its award-winning production and carriage of Red Wings games by airing a total of 49 regular-season contests.  The popular announce team of Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond return to call the action, while FOX Sports Detroit’s comprehensive coverage also includes pregame and postgame editions of RED WINGS LIVE.  In addition to live reports from the state-of-the art Little Caesars Arena, studio portions of RED WINGS LIVE will originate from FOX Sports Detroit’s studios at its Southfield headquarters.

A total of seven Red Wings regular-season games will be nationally exclusive broadcasts on NBC or NBCSN.