Month: September 2022

WOOD TV8 filed a video report from training camp which includes an interview with coach Derek Lalonde:

I can’t embed it, but the Traverse City 7&4 News also posted a video report…

Fox 2’s Jennifer Hammond arrived at training camp and interviewed Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde, captain Dylan Larkin, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and defenseman Moritz Seider:

The Detroit Red Wings began their time under the mentorship of coach Derek Lalonde on Thursday morning at Traverse City’s Centre ICE Arena, on a blustery day that’s significant in terms of marking a new chapter for the rebuilding team and a significant day in the life of this blogger (more on that later).

The Red Wings’ 67 roster players were divided into three groups, Team Lindsay, Team Howe, and Team Delvecchio, and they were preceded on the ice by a set of injured players.

I was surprised to see Andrew Copp (abdominal surgery), Jake Walman (shoulder) and prospects Jake Uberti and Tnias Mathurin (undisclosed) skating together when I got into the rink around 8:15 AM, with goaltenders Andrew Oke and Jan Bednar working with Grand Rapids Griffins goaltending coach Brian Mahoney-Wilson at the other end of the ice.

It’s also worth noting that, after the gents took a leisurely skate, I did see Oskar Sundqvist (undisclosed), Robby Fabbri (ACL) and Mark Pysyk (Achilles) taking part in the video sessions ahead of Team Lindsay’s 8:30 AM-to-9:30 AM practice.

Continue reading Impressions from the first day of the Red Wings’ 2022 training camp

Over three minutes of WXYZ’s Brad Galli with Moritz Seider:

The Athletic’s Max Bultman filed a fine article in which he discusses the happenings during the first day of Red Wings training camp, and, among his observations are the following:

With just one camp practice in the books, it’s admittedly a little early to start determining what the 2022-23 Red Wings’ identity will be. That’s something that builds over time — and, frankly, takes some proving, too. But one thing that was clear on Day 1: the Red Wings think their team speed can be part of whatever that identity becomes.

“I think we can skate,” Lalonde said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

Now, don’t take that to mean pure fire-wagon hockey is coming to Little Caesars Arena. Remember, Detroit’s top emphasis has been on improving its team defense. But the Red Wings do have speed to work with up and down their lineup, and Lalonde made sure to specify he thinks that skating ability extends to the blue line, too.

Interestingly, the way newly-signed forward David Perron described it, part of the team’s breakout design could help meet both aims — weaponizing Detroit’s speed without sacrificing defense.

“We did some of the breakout staples that we want to do as a team that will be predictable, simple, let us play with a lot of speed and pace and guys like Larks and (Lucas Raymond), those guys can really use their speed, get up the ice and create some odd-man rushes,” Perron said. “But also, I think it’s smart, and it kind of falls into our D-zone coverage. … They kind of work hand-in-hand, where you come in the zone, and you kind of get some of the stuff to do for the breakout, and if it somehow doesn’t work — like (in) hockey happens a lot — then you’re kind of set up into your D-zone coverage, which covers each layer defensively that you need to take care of.”

Continued

The Detroit News’s John Niyo is in Traverse City for training camp, and he’s posted an article in which he discusses the relationship between the Red Wings’ new coach and their captain, Dylan Larkin:

[Coach Derek] Lalonde says he finds this situation “very similar” to what he and [Steve] Yzerman both saw in Tampa, where Steven Stamkos has been the captain for several years now.

“Everyone has a captain,” Lalonde said. “But it takes time to have that ‘true’ captain, and I think we have one here. … Now we can build that leadership group around him.”

[David] Perron and [Andrew] Copp figure to be part of that group, especially since last year’s alternate captains — Danny DeKeyser and Marc Staal — have moved on. But Larkin has learned plenty on the job shouldering the load these last two seasons, coming out of a pandemic and the painful stages of a rebuild at the same time.

“But I think he’s just getting more and more comfortable with the role,” said Yzerman, who set the standard in Detroit as the longest-serving captain in NHL history. “And the one thing I’ve always encouraged him to do is, make sure to be yourself. Don’t try to be Nick (Lidstrom) or Henrik or any of us in the past. Just be yourself.

“He has a tremendous work ethic, he cares about his teammates, he cares about the team. And I think with each year, you kind of figure the role out — where you need to be, when you need to be there, when you need to address something, when you need to let things slide. So I think just experience is making him more comfortable in the role.”

Continued

MLive’s Ansar Khan has written an article discussing Dylan Larkin’s recovery from offseason core muscle surgery, as well as his take on his contract negotiations with the Red Wings:

“I think the timing of the surgery was a difficult decision, but it was something we kind of mapped out where I could have a full summer,” Larkin said Thursday after the first day of training camp in Traverse City. “I was back in the gym right away. I was back on the ice eight weeks after. It’s just a great feeling not skating around with pain.”

He will feel even better after he signs a long-term extension. Larkin is entering the final year of a five-year, $30.5 million deal he signed in 2018 ($6.1 million cap hit). He said there is nothing to report on that front.

“I think it’s very important to get it done before next season so I can play hockey,” Larkin said, jokingly. “I don’t see myself playing anywhere else. It’s great to be back on the ice, great to be back in Traverse City with the guys so I can focus on our team.”

Not having an extension in place when the season starts won’t be a distraction for him.

“You get so caught up in the daily grind, the games, practices, recovery and preparation for the next game,” Larkin said. “Something I take very seriously is how I recover, how I prepare. It’s pretty much all I do all season. I plan on sticking to that and playing for the fans and my teammates.”

Continued

DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted an article discussing the Red Wings’ attempts to establish a new identity under their new coach and new roster as training camp opened today at Centre ICE Arena:

“You can dissect last year’s season any way you want with the defensive deficiency numbers or the holes here and the holes there,” [coach Derek] Lalonde said. “I think Steve (Yzerman) did a great job addressing those with free agency, but this is a group of guys that we feel can skate. We are going to use that as an advantage and potentially an identity for us.”

Lalonde said he “worked very hard trying to get to know the group” this summer.

“We literally worked off a spreadsheet on when we talked to a certain player, what we talked to him about and why,” Lalonde said. “It just forces you to stay on top of it. I think those relationships are vitally important.”

The first-year NHL head coach added that he prioritized building a relationship with captain Dylan Larkin.

“Dylan and I have talked a ton,” Lalonde said. “Even some little projects, something as simple as our travel schedule and hotels. I’ve put a lot on him and talking to the leadership group and getting his feedback.”

Larkin expressed his hope for a competitive training camp, citing that unfamiliarity between players and coaches could be beneficial.

“I was a little nervous today getting on the ice,” Larkin said. “It’s something new and your first day to make a first impression. I think that’s so important for everyone on our team and for the new guys as well. It evens the playing field and it’s gonna be a very competitive camp, but you get a clean slate and new opportunity to impress a new staff.”

Continued, with an update on Oskar Sundqvist’s status as well…

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan has filed his fine daily notebook, and in it, he discusses David Perron’s desire to help the Red Wings’ cause this upcoming season, the goaltending competition between Alex Nedeljkovic and Ville Husso, and more:

Signed as an unrestricted free agent in July, Perron figures to strengthen the Wings in a variety of ways. Scoring goals, particularly on the power play which has been a Wings’ weakness, defensively, leadership, and just a certain veteran pedigree that is invaluable, especially on a younger team.

“What has been real exciting about David and talking to him through the summer, is he self admitted he evolved within his career,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “His work ethic, his approach, and it’s an unbelievable example of where he is now. He expects practice to be at a high pace and he wants guys to work throughout the entire practice. He’s embracing that role.”

At this stage in his career Perron, 34, is keenly focused on team goals.

“Just help the team move forward,” Perron said. “At this stage of my career, I want to be a difference-maker on the ice, still bring some of the stuff I was doing in St. Louis, and it’s just finding chemistry with guys and finding the right linemates. But team-wise is where I want to make a difference, leadership-wise, kind of being an extension of the coaching staff, kind of preaching the right stuff in the room by talking and my play on the ice, and making sure the staples defensively and throughout our system are there each and every night.”

Continued

Another one!

Dylan Larkin is opening his eighth season with the Red Wings, and says he wants to start every season of his NHL career in the same sweater.

Detroit’s captain wants to remain with the organization, hoping to get a contract extension done. Our one-on-one conversation: pic.twitter.com/hLTgJHxcJO— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 22, 2022