Month: August 2021

Red Wings 2021 draft pick Carter Mazur spoke with Jackson, MI’s WKHM 970 AM/101.5 FM today, discussing his hockey history in Jackson, his time spent with Kris Draper’s Little Caesars team, being drafted by the Red Wings and choosing to play at the University of Denver. The clips are embedded at WKHM.com, and you can listen to them there.

Per The Athletic’s Max Bultman on Twitter, Sportsnet’s Ken Wiebe reports that the Winnipeg Jets may end up signing Evgeny Svechnikov:

Hearing there is mutual interest between #NHLJets and former @DetroitRedWings F Evgeny Svechnikov. @spinohockey was on this earlier today. Svechnikov, who turns 25 in October, was the 19th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and has 5 G, 12 P in 41 NHL games. He’s a RW, shoots L.

— Ken Wiebe (@WiebesWorld) August 13, 2021

The New York Rangers have hired former Red Wings capologist and assistant general manager Ryan Martin, per the New York Post’s Mollie Walker:

The rest of the Rangers’ front office is beginning to take shape.

President and general manager Chris Drury is bringing on Ryan Martin as his assistant GM. In addition, Drury appointed the Connecticut native as head honcho of the team’s AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, The Post’s Larry Brooks reported on Friday.

Martin comes to Broadway after 16 years in the Red Wings’ front office, 12 of which he served as assistant general manager. Joining Detroit in 2005, Martin started off as director of hockey administration before moving up to handle collective bargaining agreement administration and compliance, salary cap management, player contract research and analysis, and salary arbitration preparation. He was also general manager of the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, who, under his lead, captured two Calder Cup championships over a five-year span.

Additionally, Martin is coming off his ninth world junior tournament working in player personnel for the United States. He helped the U.S. world junior team to the country’s first gold medal at the event since 2017 in January, while balancing his obligations back in Detroit and the Grand Rapids.

HockeyNews.se’s Mattias Ek spoke with Red Wings executive Niklas Kronwall regarding his role with the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation for the upcoming 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg are to serve as advisors to Swedish Olympic team GM Johan Garpenlov.

Garpenlov, Nicklas Backstrom, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Kronwall all spoke with Ek regarding Zetterberg and Kronwall’s roles with Team Sweden. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:

Kronwall on his key role in the Olympics–praised by NHL players

Stockholm. Stanley Cup and Olympic-winning Niklas Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg will have a big influence when the Tre Kronor will take their Olympic team to Beijing in February.

“They know how to come together as a team and prepare in the best possible way. It’s only a positive,” says Nicklas Backstrom to HockeyNews.se.

If all goes well, and as intended in negotiations between the NHL and the International Olympic Committee, the NHL players will participate in the Olympics in Beijing.

National team general manager Johan Garpenlov will present the Tre Kronor’s Olympic team on January 24, 2022, consisting of three goaltenders and 22 skaters.

To perform as well as possible and to succeed in fighting for Olympic gold in six months, Garpenlov has connected with former Detroit and Tre Kronor stars Niklas Kronwall and Henrik Zetterberg.

“They’ll serve as advisors to the management team. They’ll be 100% involved in all future decisions. They’ll be a part of the team, and will be part of scouting and will take part in the trips that we take. They’ll use their contacts, and again, be involved in everything, really. A bit like we had with “Lidas” (Nicklas Lidstrom), “Sudden” (Mats Sundin) and “Affe” (Daniel Alfredsson) during the World Cup of Hockey. They will provide good support for us where we can use them and their skills,” says Johan Garpenlov to HockeyNews.se.

The idea is that both Kronwall and Zetterberg will be part of the Tre Kronor’s management’s scouting trips to NHL teams, if the coronavirus pandemic allows.

“We have to go over and look, if it’s possible. Right now it looks preetty dark, but hopefully we can go over and around and meet the players over there and see them in their own environment,” says Garpenlov.

The Tre Kronor has gathered approximately 30 current NHL players in Stockholm this week to go through similar ideas and solve practical things before the Olympic stars take part in the tournament in Beijing. Not since the 2014 Olympics in Sochi have players been allowed to participate in the Olympics.

Niklas Kronwall was there then (in 2014), and took over as team captain when Henrik Zetterberg was injured after the first game. He will now have a key role on the Olympic team.

“I will act as a sounding board for Garpenlov and also (Marcus) Ragnarsson, on the defensive side. It’s a bit of everything, from ideas about the game to team selection. It was not so long ago that Henrik and I both played. We probably have some feelings left about what the players might want,” says Kronwall to HockeyNews.se during the gathering at a casino in central Stockholm.

What are you pushing for when it comes to the Tre Kronor’s game ideas?

“I think the most important part is to sort out the game together without the puck. That’s where those details lie. All teams play a little differently, and we have two or maybe three practices before the first games, so you don’t have much time to play. It’s important to quickly get the guys in the right lines, so everybody knows what’s expected of each player in different situations. A lot will be decided on special teams and in the game in front of the goaltender,” says Kronwall.

But he can not stress enough:

“There are an incredible number of good teams. Canada could in principle have two teams in place, and they could probably meet in the finals. They’re so deep. It’s important that we get our game together without the puck, and get the group together.”

Both Kronwall and Zetterberg will thus be involved in team selection before the Olympics.

“It’s a bit like putting a puzzle together. The pieces have to fit together in some way. The distribution of roles will be extremely important. There will be players who normally play for 25 minutes on their teams, but will play 14 on this team. The players have to be prepared for that, and to buy into it, and do it fully. So if you go all the way, everybody has to buy into their roles fully. I don’t think that will be a problem in itself, but I think it’s important that they understand the conditions,” says Kronwall.

Among the established Tre Kronor players, help from Kronwall and Zetterberg is welcome.

“I think it’s good. They’ve had very successful careers, and have a lot of experience, and have been very successful in tournaments like this,” says Nicklas Backstrom to HockeyNews.se.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who’s been the team captain for the Tre Kronor in the World Championship context, agrees with Backstrom.

“For everyone, from leaders to players, to be able to have them around as a sounding board, and know what they’ve done in their hockey careers. Then there are amazing people who both really care and want to help. It feels fantastic that they want to be part of this journey. It’s a lot of fun,” says Ekman-Larsson to HockeyNews.se.

NHL.com is posting summer check-in articles for each and every one of the NHL’s 32 teams this August, and this morning, Nicholas J. Cotsonika examines the Red Wings’ additions, subtractions, and potential impact-making prospects:

On the cusp

Moritz Seider, D: The 20-year-old won the Swedish Hockey League Elite Prospects Award and was a finalist for SHL Defenseman of the Year last season after he was loaned to Rogle amid the coronavirus pandemic and scored 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 41 games. The No. 6 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft scored 22 points (two goals, 20 assists) in 49 games for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League in 2019-20. …

Joe Veleno, F: The 21-year-old scored 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 46 games for Malmo of the SHL, three points (one goal, two assists) in four games for Grand Rapids and one goal in five games for Detroit last season. The No. 30 pick of the 2018 NHL Draft scored 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 54 games for Grand Rapids in 2019-20. …

Lucas Raymond, F: The 19-year-old, selected No. 4 in the 2020 NHL Draft, scored 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) for Frolunda of the SHL last season. 

Cotsonika believes that the Red Wings may still add a forward or two to the mix:

What they still need: One or two forwards, in the short term. Young players to take over, in the long term. General manager Steve Yzerman said the Red Wings still could add a forward or two this offseason. They don’t want to hand roster spots to young players; they want the young players to win the spots. They don’t want the young players to simply be in the NHL; they want them to make the Red Wings better and help them win.

Continued, with a roster projection and fantasy hockey discussion from Pete Jensen…

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen offered a list of five reasons why the Red Wings should improve their record this upcoming season, and here are two of said reasons:

3. Stronger Down the Middle: Pius Suter can be a difference-maker. Should be a 20-goal scoring center. If Dylan Larkin has a rebound season and Suter plays to his potential, the Red Wings’ center production will be much improved. Michael Rasmussen could be a Jordan Staal-like player, starting his career as a No. 3 center with the hope of moving up. This season, he should be able to score 10-15 goals. Finally, Stephens can replace Luke Glendening and perhaps do even more. The Red Wings could end up with two No. 3 lines. And don’t write off Joe Veleno for this season. Suter’s arrival makes it harder for Veleno to start the season in Detroit. But they could start him or Rasmussen on the wing. Veleno can be a responsible, two-way scorer.

4. Power Play Will be More Productive: After two consecutive seasons of being dreadful, the Red Wings’ power play should be improved under assistant coach Alex Tanguay. For starters, Leddy knows how to get the puck in the zone. There’s more talent available this season. This group should have a power play percentage pushing toward 18 percent. They were at 11.4%  last season.

Continued (paywall)

Via The Athletic’s Max Bultman on Twitter: the Red Wings have invited Niagara IceDogs forward Cameron Butler, a 19-year-old right winger, to their prospect tournament:

Congratulations to IceDogs @CButler_21 on being invited to Detroit Red Wings Development Camp! ?? @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/YYAGQJpFJE

— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) August 12, 2021

Butler stands at 6’4″ and 203 pounds, and here’s what EliteProspects has to say about him:

He’s physical on the forecheck, laying the body and winning puck battles. Defensively, he’s in position and collapses well into the slot or the net front to lift sticks and take away opportunities. He moves with players and doesn’t get caught drifting out of the play. With the puck, he makes safe plays back to the D for breakouts. -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide

New Red Wings defenseman Jordan Oesterle is a Dearborn Heights, MI native, and the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a profile of the 29-year-old today:

Oesterle, a Dearborn Heights native who attended Dearborn Divine Child and Western Michigan, is back home. When unrestricted free agency began on July 28 and there was an opportunity to join the Wings, Oesterle was quick to say yes to a two-year contract worth $2.7 million ($1.35 million per season cap hit).

“It’s obviously something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid,” Oesterle, 29, said during a Zoom call after his signing. “I can’t be more excited to play for this organization.

“I didn’t know the chances. Going to free agency, the way their roster was this year, I knew they were looking for a left-shot defenseman, so I didn’t know if I was going to be the guy or have a chance (to join the Wings). Once I heard they were in the mix, I was narrow-minded to wanting this to be the destination. I was lucky enough for it to come to fruition.”

Continued

MLive’s Ansar Khan wrote an article a little earlier today discussing Red Wings 2021 draft pick Red Savage, who’s very familiar to Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper:

Draper spoke of Savage’s character and passion for the game. It helped him get named captain of Team USA at the U-18 championship.

“Watching him play even at an early age, he just understood how to play the game,” Draper said. “Very responsible two-way player. As a 14-, 15-, 16-year-old player he probably played too responsible. That’s the way he was wired. He understands that’s how he’s going to turn himself into a good pro.

“He’s in good spots for his D, he’s really good in the (face-off) circle. Watching him in Texas (U-18s) he had some big blocks on the penalty kill, kind of plays a fearless-type game. He showed throughout this year when he got a little bit of opportunity that he could produce some offense. He knows how to play without the puck. He’s very intelligent, knows how to play in his own end.

“The one thing we want him to work on is the offensive side of the game, to score goals, to challenge himself to put up numbers. It’s going to be tough going into college hockey as an 18-year-old, but we’re certainly going to encourage him to do it.”

Continued

Here’s a press release from the Red Wings and Toledo Walleye from earlier today:

Toledo to continue Detroit affiliation for three seasons

TOLEDO – The Toledo Walleye, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, today announced a three-year extension of their affiliation agreement. The 2021-22 season will mark the 12th year of partnership between the clubs and extends the affiliation through at least the 2023-24 season.

“We’re proud to continue the relationship between the Red Wings and the Walleye,” said Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin. “We’ve had a number of prospects for the Red Wings and Griffins who were able to jumpstart their professional careers in Toledo, and playing in front of a passionate fanbase and an organization committed to winning has been crucial in their development. Both the hockey and business staffs are among the best in all of minor-league sports and make the Walleye an ideal partner for our organization. We’re looking forward to seeing Toledo return to the ice this fall to continue their quest for a Kelly Cup championship.”

The Walleye have served as the ECHL’s affiliate to the Red Wings beginning in 2009 when Toledo re-entered the league. From that time, the Walleye have played in one Kelly Cup Finals (2019), captured four division championships and two regular season titles (2014-15, 2016-17), and have qualified for ECHL’s postseason in seven seasons. Detroit was previously affiliated with the ECHL’s Toledo Storm from 1991-99 and 2000-07. The Storm won ECHL championships in 1993 and 1994 and captured six division titles over their 16-season history.

“The partnership between the Walleye and Detroit and Grand Rapids is one that we look forward to continuing,” said Walleye executive vice president and general manager Neil Neukam. “The history of Red Wings hockey is unparalleled and we are excited to be a part of the future. We are humbled to be able to extend this partnership between our organizations for another three years. It’s a testament to the dedication of the Walleye coaching, support staff, and front office, as well as the great fanbase in Toledo. We look forward to continuing our pursuit of the Kelly Cup and helping develop players for the next level.”

Under the current affiliation, the Red Wings provide several NHL-contract players to the Walleye, as well as signing players to AHL/ECHL contracts who can play for either Grand Rapids or Toledo. Since 2009-10, 19 players and one coach from Toledo have gone on to the NHL, including ten for the Red Wings: Jake Chelios, Jared Coreau, Martin Frk, Kaden Fulcher, Luke Glendening, Nick Jensen, Brian Lashoff, Tom McCollum, Petr Mrazek and Andrej Nestrasil.