Month: October 2021

MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the ways in which the Red Wings’ roster is shaping up as the team’s final cuts ahead of the regular season:

“Ultimately, the message is generally the same from the general managers – we’re not going to have a young guy come in here and play eight minutes. It doesn’t make sense,” Blashill said. “There’s always a lot that go into those decisions. It’s never as simple as one guy is tad bit better. You got to worry about your depth, you got to worry about the development of everybody, you got to worry about what’s going to put your best team together for the opener against Tampa.

“It should be readily apparent to everybody out there from the impact they have on the game that they’re going to be able to help the hockey team to be a way better team. If you just see a flash here, or ‘he’s a good skater,’ that’s not good enough. The impact on the game is what matters most. Are they thriving or are they kind of surviving? Obviously, no decisions are as easy as that. There’s a gray area in between.”

Here is where forwards on the bubble stand:

Lucas Raymond: The fourth overall pick in 2020 excelled out of the gate with his offensive ability, making crafty seam passes on the power play, displaying a wicked wrist shot and collecting two points in each of his first three preseason games. He cooled off the past two games (no points).

This 19-year-old only makes the team if he is playing significant minutes, including the power play, in a top-six role. The club isn’t likely to keep him around just as a temporary injury replacement. When he makes the roster, they would want it to be permanent.

Chances are, he’ll start the season in Grand Rapids, logging a lot of ice time in all situations and continuing his development before being recalled at some point this season.

Continued

According to The Fourth Period’s Anthony DiMarco, the Red Wings are a team that simply does “not [have] many untouchables,” at least per The Athletic’s Max Bultman:

The top-six players that would likely garner the most interest on the trade front are captain Dylan Larkin and forward Tyler Bertuzzi, whom [TFP’s David] Pagnotta reported in the off-season was up for grabs.

Bertuzzi, 26, has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million. Bertuzzi’s name has been at the heart of trade discussions, so a trade wouldn’t exactly be shocking. But due to Bertuzzi being one of the league’s few unvaccinated players at this point, moving Bertuzzi may be more difficult than before.

Larkin, 25, has two years remaining on his deal with an AAV of $6.1 million. A former Calder Trophy finalist and NHL’s fastest skater, Larkin has scored at a 60+ point pace over an 82 game period three times in his career. Should Larkin be made available there will be a laundry list of teams willing to acquire his services.

Aside from Bertuzzi and Larkin, forwards Robby Fabbri, Sam Gagner, Vladislav Namestnikov and Carter Rowney along with defensemen Danny Dekeyser, Nick Leddy, Marc Staal and Troy Stetcher are all pending-UFAs this season. Bultman said while not all of them will be traded – as you have to keep some veterans on your roster – the Wings will surely keep their ears open for any potential offers as the season plays out.

Continued; I don’t believe that Larkin will be moved, but it’s entirely possible that Bertuzzi will be moved by the end of this season.

DetroitRedWings.com’s Ethan Sears posted a wise article in which Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill discusses the fine line between prospects “surviving” at the NHL level and truly “thriving” among their NHL peers:

Blashill has made the point a number of times during camp that he wants players to grab spots, not merely be a little bit better than someone else. He explained that Thursday night as the difference between surviving and thriving.

“I would say there’s a lot of guys that can kind of play in the league and you kinda survive,” Blashill said. “And they go out shift by shift. Maybe they try to not let anything bad happen. They don’t really create a whole bunch of positives. They just kinda survive and I think that’s – although there’s guys that end up in those spots that shouldn’t be or are young players, it doesn’t make any sense to have them in a spot where they’re just surviving.”

For players like Veleno or Raymond, Blashill and Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman believe it’s better to let them blossom in Grand Rapids if they’ll spend their time in the NHL surviving as opposed to thriving.

“It should be readily apparent from everybody out there from the impact they have on the game that they’re gonna be able to help the hockey team be a way better team.,” Blashill said. “If you just see a flash here, like oh, he’s a good skater, well that’s not good enough. The impact on the game is what matters the most. Again, are they thriving or are they kinda surviving?”

Continued

Per Chris Johnston:

Placed on NHL waivers: Sonny Milano (ANA), Brandon Davidson (BUF), Dennis Gilbert (COL), Jayson Megna (COL), Andreas Borgman (DAL), Daniel Renouf (DET), Luke Witkowski (DET), Chase De Leo (NJ), Michael Chaput (PIT), Juuso Riikola (PIT), Nicolas Meloche (SJ), Sheldon Dries (VAN).— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 8, 2021

Everyone on NHL waivers yesterday cleared.— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 8, 2021

Grand Rapids Griffins defensemen Brian Lashoff and Ryan Murphy were waived yesterday. They made it through the waiver wire:

All waivers from yesterday cleared— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 8, 2021

From the Toledo Walleye:

(Toledo, OH) – The twelfth season of Toledo Walleye hockey got underway with the first day of training camp today at the Huntington Center.

Eleven total forwards were in camp to start the season: Brett McKenzie, John Albert, Marcus Vela, Brady Tomlak, Brandon Schultz, Brett Boeing, Conlan Keenan, Josh Dickinson, and Keeghan Howdeshell along with forwards on a tryout agreement in Brennan Blaszczak and TJ Hensick.

Five total defensemen are in camp with Chris McKay, Gordi Myer, Butrus Ghafari, Cole Fraser, and newly-signed Connor Walters.

Walters joins Toledo after patrolling the blue line for Brock University, appearing in 56 games tallying 29 points (3g-26a) and earning a spot on the 2018-19 OUA All-Star team. Prior to that, the 23-year-old spent parts of three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Owen Sound Attack and Hamilton Bulldogs, notching 67 points (10g-57a) in 260 career games. Walters did start this year appearing in one game for Orli Znojmo in the Austrian Hockey League.

Joining signed goaltender Billy Christopoulos is Toledo native Austyn Roudebush on a tryout agreement. Goaltender Kaden Fulcher has been assigned to Walleye from the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was named to the German Olympic team this morning, per the IIHF:

Some familiar faces will join @deb_teams from the @NHL and go for gold at @Beijing2022.

More info ? https://t.co/ZUknuqtwVb@EdmontonOilers @DetroitRedWings @SeattleKraken pic.twitter.com/ysNtOcp70c— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) October 8, 2021

The Free Press’s Helene St. James and MLive’s Ansar Khan both published articles discussing Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno’s chances of making the Red Wings’ roster this morning.

St. James’ subscriber-only article is blunt in its assessment of Veleno’s opportunities:

Veleno has gained strength and experience over the past year and a half, using a long layoff forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to spend extra time in the gym. He’s 6 feet 1, 206 pounds, and able to hold his own on the ice. He’s a natural center but has the versatility to play wing. If he’s not on the opening roster, he’ll be in Detroit soon.

“He’s making his way to being close to NHL ready,” Blashill said. “I think there’s a lot of guys that are kind of in that mix. It’s that next step that’s probably more important — not being NHL ready but ready to help an NHL team be way better. That’s what we’re looking for — how do you help the Detroit Red Wings be a way better team, now just how can you make our team.

“Is Joe taking steps in the right direction? 100%. He’s worked his tail off over two years to change his body. He’s bought into being really good on the D-side of the puck. So then it depends where he would potentially fit in. Is he better than other guys? All that stuff comes into it. But he’s taking steps in the right direction.”

Injuries always play into decisions, and both Michael Rasmussen and Givani Smith, who will either be on the roster or on injured reserve, are dealing with undisclosed ailments.  Lucas Raymond, a first-round pick from 2020, has done everything in his power to show he should be in the lineup. Veteran Bobby Ryan is expected to receive a contract. 

And MLive’s Khan continues the narrative:

Veleno, 21, is waiver-exempt, which could play a significant role in the Red Wings’ decision. They can send him to the Grand Rapids Griffins without risk of losing him.

Veleno didn’t look out of place during a five-game NHL stint at the end of last season but could be caught in a numbers crunch.

Mitchell Stephens, acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, appears to be the leading candidate for the fourth-line center spot. Veterans Sam Gagner and Carter Rowney and young Givani Smith, who no longer is waiver-exempt, also are in the mix for fourth-line spots on the wing.

The Red Wings won’t keep Veleno around as an extra forward or if he isn’t getting decent ice time.

Veleno isn’t fretting about what might happen.

“I try to leave the distractions out of my head and kind focus on playing hockey and have some fun with it,” he said. “Work as hard as I can and see what kind of outcome happens. It’s definitely tough, especially in the preseason. You want to make the best impression, you want to limit mistakes, play the right way, earn the coaches’ trust. Obviously, chip in offensively.”

NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman offers this take on how the Red Wings and seven other Eastern Conference teams can return to playing playoff hockey:

DETROIT RED WINGS

Last season: 19-27-10, 48 points, 16 points out of fourth place in Discover Central Division

How it ended: The Red Wings won five of their first 21 games (5-13-3) and never got closer than nine points out of a playoff spot the rest of the season.

Biggest offseason change: Detroit solidified itself in goal by acquiring Alex Nedeljkovic in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 22. Nedeljkovic was 15-5-3 with a 1.90 goals-against average, .932 save percentage and three shutouts in 23 starts last season. He led all goalies to play at least 20 games in GAA and save percentage, and was third in voting for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

Why they could get in: The Red Wings allowed 3.00 goals per game last season (20th in NHL), but they should be better defensively with the additions of Nedeljkovic and defenseman Nick Leddy, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Islanders on July 16, and the ascension of top prospect Moritz Seider, who was named the best defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League last season and at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. Seider, 20, won’t be the only young player ready to make an NHL impact with Detroit, though. Among those potentially ready for larger roles are forwards Michael Rasmussen, 22; Joe Veleno, 21; and Lucas Raymond, 19. If they can deliver alongside veteran forwards Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, that combined with the Red Wings’ defensive improvements could put them in the running for a wild card.

Continued

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski posted a massive preview of the 2021-2022 NHL season, and here’s his take on the Red Wings’ season outlook as part of a list of “power rankings”:

29. Detroit Red Wings

Last season: 19-27-10, missed playoffs

Key players added: C Pius Suter, C Mitchell Stephens, D Nick Leddy, G Alex Nedeljkovic

Key players lost: G Jonathan Bernier, C Luke Glendening, C Darren Helm, D Dennis Cholowski (expansion draft)

Most fascinating player: We’re going to disqualify Jakub Vrana from this category because he’ll miss around four months thanks to shoulder surgery. Otherwise, watching Jake the Snake slither around the offensive zone for the Wings would have been the pick. Instead, we’ll go in the other direction: Moritz Seider, the team’s 20-year-old rookie defenseman. The German-born sixth overall pick in 2019, Seider got a professional season under his belt in 2020-21 while playing for Rogle in the Swedish Hockey League. He’s been paired with Nick Leddy in the preseason, giving him a solid veteran on whom to rely. One of those Red Wings prospects whose arrival on the main roster portends the eventual end of this rebuild.

Best case: The slow, steady pace of GM Steve Yzerman‘s rebuild extends for another season, one that sees Detroit’s younger players show sparks of potential and the Red Wings get a top-three pick for the first time since drafting Keith Primeau at third overall in 1990.

Worst case: The Red Wings somehow generate more offense than last season (2.23 goals per game, 30th in the NHL) with Vrana out of the lineup, get solid goaltending and are a shock contender for a wild-card spot — thus delaying the progress of their build.

X factor: The Hurricanes felt that Nedeljkovic hadn’t shown enough beyond three great months — great enough to earn him a Calder Trophy nomination, mind you — to warrant an investment as their goaltender. The Red Wings swooped in, traded for him and handed the restricted free agent a two-year deal. Detroit has gotten incrementally better defensively in the past couple of seasons, which will benefit Nedeljkovic. But it’s on him to show that months like April 2021 (5-1-1, .941 save percentage and a 1.72 GAA!) weren’t notes from a one-hit wonder.

Fantasy outlook: Keep an eye on rookie defenseman Seider. He has the skill — and the Red Wings will present him the opportunity — to become a fantasy factor on the blue line. More on fantasy outlook

Bold prediction: 2020 first-rounder Lucas Raymond hits the Red Wings’ roster sooner than later, and makes absolute magic with Dylan Larkin.

Continued (paywall)