Month: December 2021

Tweets of note: Yzerman’s presser

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman spoke with the media from Little Caesars Arena on the heels of the announcement that coach Jeff Blashill, assistant coach Alex Tanguay, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and forwards Carter Rowney and Givani Smith have all been placed in COVID protocols (joining Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen):

Steve Yzerman said the Red Wings COVID cases have been nothing more than minimal symptoms.

“We just keep recalling players. Other teams have gone through this before us,” he said. pic.twitter.com/bRM7tkdyxE— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 18, 2021

Steve Yzerman said it is important to note that at this point no one around the league is experiencing major symptoms. Most have slight cold like symptoms. #LGRW— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) December 18, 2021

Yzerman on plans moving forward while Covid is affecting the team, “Well, we keep recalling players. Other teams have been going through it before us.” He said what’s important to note is that the players and coaches feel okay. #LGRW— Carley Johnston (@carleykjohnston) December 18, 2021

The Red Wings are encouraging all players and coaches to get a booster shot, Steve Yzerman said.— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 18, 2021

Yzerman on Coach Blashill being out, “This is interesting. The head coach is obviously with the team every day. Knows the players inside and out. Knows the lines, adjustments, combinations… but it shouldn’t be too bad of a transition (with Ben Simon behind the bench).” #LGRW— Carley Johnston (@carleykjohnston) December 18, 2021

The Red Wings will be without Jeff Blashill, who is in COVID protocol.

“This is interesting,” Steve Yzerman said with a bit of a laugh. He said Blashill may be on the phone or an earpiece. “I think we’ll get through it fine.”— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 18, 2021

He said maybe Coach Simon and Coach Blashill will have communication throughout the game, but says “it’ll be fine.” https://t.co/3RMIOEgIJG— Carley Johnston (@carleykjohnston) December 18, 2021

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman didn’t know exact numbers but multiple players have had COVID-19 booster shot and team is encouraging everybody in organization to get it.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) December 18, 2021

Yzerman says it’s his understanding that Ben Simon will be the acting head coach and Doug Houda will remain in his position, but it’s a fluid situation. #LGRW @DetroitRedWings— Carley Johnston (@carleykjohnston) December 18, 2021

Steve Yzerman said he thinks Ben Simon will be the Red Wings acting head coach tonight. Wasn’t certain if it’s Simon or Doug Houda though— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 18, 2021

Yzerman said it was his understanding that Ben Simon would be the acting head coach tonight. Said he still needs to confirm that after his media availability. #LGRW— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) December 18, 2021

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman “I”m a big supporter of our our players playing” in Olympics but said he understands apprehension under pandemic circumstances.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) December 18, 2021

“Nobody wants anyone to get violently ill,” Steve Yzerman said. “My perception is (our team) will do anything to get through this.”— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 18, 2021

Press release: Griffins discuss recalls of coach Simon, coach Krygier

From the Grand Rapids Griffins:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday announced that Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Ben Simon and assistant coach Todd Krygier will serve as coaches alongside Red Wings assistant Doug Houda for Detroit’s home game against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Continue reading Press release: Griffins discuss recalls of coach Simon, coach Krygier

NHL, NHLPA adapt ‘enhanced protocols’ through January 7th

FYI:

The @NHL and @NHLPA announced today the immediate adoption of enhanced COVID-19 measures.

These enhanced measures will remain in effect through the Holiday season and the New Year, and will be re-evaluated no later than Jan. 7, 2022.

Full text: https://t.co/kcjziKo2nJ pic.twitter.com/ZOebBUm1zL— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 18, 2021

Red Wings-Devils morning skate Tweets: COVID hits Wings’ coaching staff, Ned, Smith, Rowney

The Detroit Red Wings host the winless-in-four New Jersey Devils tonight at Little Caesars Arena (8 PM EST start on Bally Sports Detroit/MSG+/97.1 FM).

Tonight’s back half of the first basketball-and-hockey doubleheader at LCA will most likely involve unpredictable ice conditions and a tricky opponent as the 10-13-and-5 Devils look to gain traction at the expense of the 14-13-and-3 Red Wings.

Today, approximately 70 people will help turn @LCArena_Detroit from a basketball court into a hockey rink.

Learn more about the process and how long they’ve been planning for this special day.#Pistons | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/VJns8jGwAc— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) December 18, 2021

If you’re looking for reading material, NewJerseyDevils.com’s Catherine Bogart and Sam Kasan posted a superb game preview which includes NHL.com’s 45 pages’ worth of game notes.

Here’s an FYI if you brave the intermittent snow showers to head down to the rink:

We’ve got a busy day at @LCArena_Detroit!

With the @DetroitPistons playing at 12PM, and the @DetroitRedWings playing at 8PM, we *strongly* encourage fans to pre-purchase parking and arrive early, as high traffic volumes are expected. Reserve a spot now: https://t.co/OVVZzvzGSJ pic.twitter.com/2NtX0ArfmF— Little Caesars Arena (@LCArena_Detroit) December 18, 2021

Right before the morning skate, well, things got ludicrous:

UPDATE: The #RedWings have placed Givani Smith, Carter Rowney, Alex Nedeljkovic, head coach Jeff Blashill and assistant coach Alex Tanguay in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 18, 2021

#RedWings assistant coach Doug Houda will be joined behind the bench tonight by Griffins head coach Ben Simon and assistant coach Todd Krygier.— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 18, 2021

So, with the head coach and assistant coach in COVID protocol, the starting goaltender and two of the fourth line’s key players in COVID protocol, the NHL decided that we’d keep on keepin’ on.

Red Wings are on the ice for their morning skate. Only goaltender for them is Tomas Greiss.

Shooter Tutor at the other end. pic.twitter.com/igtL1Mo7h8— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 18, 2021

It’s safe to assume that Calvin Pickard will be recalled as the Griffins aren’t playing this weekend due to the Toronto Marlies being in COVID protocols themselves.

Continue reading Red Wings-Devils morning skate Tweets: COVID hits Wings’ coaching staff, Ned, Smith, Rowney

Blashill, Tanguay, Smith, Rowney, Nedeljkovic in COVID protocol: Houda, Simon and Krygier to coach tonight

This is bad

UPDATE: The #RedWings have placed Givani Smith, Carter Rowney, Alex Nedeljkovic, head coach Jeff Blashill and assistant coach Alex Tanguay in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 18, 2021

#RedWings assistant coach Doug Houda will be joined behind the bench tonight by Griffins head coach Ben Simon and assistant coach Todd Krygier.— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 18, 2021

Prospect Round-up North America: Walleye win late; Plandowski 2A in QMJHL; Draper 1+1 in BCHL

Of Red Wings prospect-related note in North America on Friday night:

In the ECHL, Billy Christopoulos stopped 32 of 33 shots and Brady Tomlak scored with 13 seconds remaining in regulation to earn the Toledo Walleye a 2-1 win over South Carolina;

In the QMJHL, Oscar Plandowski had 2 assists, finishing even in the Charlottetown Islanders’ 5-2 win over Cape Breton;

In the OHL, Pasquale Zito served the second game of a suspension as his Windsor Spitfires won 7-5 over Saginaw;

In the WHL, the Sebastian Cossa-less Edmonton Oil Kings won 8-5 over Swift Current;

Cross Hanas had an assist, finishing even with 5 shots in the Portland Winterhawks’ 4-1 loss to Spokane;

In the BCHL, Kienan Draper scored a goal and added an assist in the Chilliwack Chiefs’ 4-3 win over Coquitlam, earning second star-of-the-game honors;

And in NCAA Hockey, Ryan O’Reilly finished at +1 with 1 shot in the Arizona State University Sun Devils’ 5-2 win over Colorado College.

Red Wings-Devils set-up: Wings face a ‘trap game’ vs. winless-in-four Devils

The Detroit Red Wings have a trap game-and-a-half on their hands tomorrow at Little Caesars Arena as they host theNew Jersey Devils (8 PM EST start on Bally Sports Detroit/MSG+/97.1 FM).

The Red Wings, who stand at 14-13-and-3 after last night’s 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, are going to be facing a 10-13-and-5 Devils team that has lost 4 straight games and 8 of their past 10, including their most recent loss, a bitter 5-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

As you and I know by now, the Wings have tended to rise to the occasion against their best opponents, and have fallen short against teams that are struggling, and New Jersey defines a “struggling team” right now.

Neither team practiced today, and both teams have players in COVID protocols, so we don’t know too much about the respective teams’ lineups for tomorrow, other than the fact that Jonathan Bernier (hip) will not be healthy enough to face his former employer.

NewJerseyDevils.com’s Catherine Bogart and Sam Kasan offer the following preview of tomorrow’s game:

Continue reading Red Wings-Devils set-up: Wings face a ‘trap game’ vs. winless-in-four Devils