Month: July 2023

Former Griffins coach Ben Simon lands an assistant coach’s job with the Iowa Wild

Per the Iowa Wild, former Grand Rapids Griffins coach Ben Simon has landed on his feet:

Iowa Wild General Manager Mike Murray today announced that the American Hockey League (AHL) club has hired Ben Simon and Patrick Dwyer as assistant coaches. 

“We are very excited to add Ben and Patrick to our staff, said Brett McLean, Head Coach of the Iowa Wild. “Both coaches bring sharp hockey minds to our team. Their extensive playing and coaching experience, which includes winning Calder Cups, will help our prospects immensely.” 

Simon, 45, spent the previous eight seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He served as an assistant coach for Grand Rapids from 2015-18 and won a Calder Cup in 2017 before being promoted to head coach for the 2018-19 season. Simon also served as the assistant coach of the Toronto Marlies (2014-15), head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones (2013-14), and assistant coach of the Rockford IceHogs (2011-13).  

During his playing career, Simon skated in 81 NHL games and totaled four points (3-1=4) with the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Shaker Heights, Ohio native also added 188 points (78-110=188) in 481 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, Milwaukee Admirals, Syracuse Crunch, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Toronto Marlies. Simon won a Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 2002 and a Turner Cup in the IHL with the Orlando Solar Bears in 2001. Prior to his professional career, Simon played four seasons of college hockey at the University of Notre Dame, where he totaled 130 points (44-86=130) through 144 games and served as captain during his senior season. 

“It is a promising time in both Minnesota and Iowa, and I am excited about this new opportunity,” Simon said. “I am looking forward to joining the staff and working with Brett as he starts his head coaching career.” 

Khan on ‘Ammo’ Lombardi’s sniping

MLive’s Ansar Khan filed a notebook article in which he discusses Red Wings prospect Amadeus Lombardi’s attempt to develop a “shooter’s mentality” as he prepares to turn pro with the Grand Rapids Griffins this fall:

Lombardi had a breakout season with the Flint Firebirds, third in the OHL with 102 points, sixth with 45 goals. The offensive skills are why the Red Wings him in the fourth round in 2022 (113th overall).

“I had great teammates, great linemates and it all kind of clicked together,” Lombardi said. “I’m a fast-paced player, more of a playmaker than a shooter, but this year I really tried to (hunker) down and shoot more, be more deceptive. I think that helped, especially having a few weeks last summer (training) with the Red Wings. That just gave me a lot of confidence going into the season to try to have a good year.”

He worked extensively on his shooting last summer.

“I shot a lot of pucks, did a lot of skating, did a lot of drills off the ice to help that,” Lombardi said. “Even if it didn’t make me 10 times stronger, it put the confidence in my mind. Going into the season I was more eager to shoot the puck. It made me more of a threat as a passer, too, because people don’t have to just take away the pass, they can take away the shot. That’s when my passing can thrive a little bit more.”

Lombardi got a brief taste of pro hockey at the end of last season, playing two games with the Griffins (one assist).

“After the season ended, I was a little down, but once I got there, I realized what a cool place this would be to play possibly next year,” Lombardi said. “What I took from them is how prepared they are; even with two games left everyone is preparing very well. I definitely have to get a lot stronger at that level, especially for face-offs and the corners, so it’ll be an adjustment, but I’m excited to try to make that.”

Continued

Shea: How the future of Detroit sports television may unfold

Bridge Michigan’s Bill Shea posted a lengthy article in which he discusses the potential outcomes surrounding Diamond Sports’ bankruptcy. Diamond is the parent company of the Bally Sports networks, and as you probably already know, the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings all have broadcast deals with Bally Sports Detroit:

One potential solution to the distribution uncertainty is unfolding out West: The owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz intends to air next season’s games on a local broadcast station and on a to-be-rolled-out streaming app, which the team says will reach more fans. Jazz games had aired on AT&T SportsNet, one of a small handful of RSNs owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which is exiting the RSN business and isn’t challenging the switchover.

A similar plan in Arizona has been blocked for now. Metro Detroit wholesale mortgage billionaire Mat Ishbia, who bought the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury basketball teams earlier this year, proposed walking away from Bally Sports Arizona in favor of a local broadcast TV and streaming plan. But his plan is halted for now by a federal judge after Diamond filed suit.

Depending on how the Diamond bankruptcy plays out, a hybrid system of free local TV and paid streaming could be in store for fans of Michigan’s three major league teams.

Commercial television broadcasters in Michigan have taken note of the proposed RSN solutions in other markets, Friedman said.

“The next model is going to be splintered. That’s going to be very different around the state. I’m hearing that the teams and owners of broadcast TV stations are considering how over-the-air (traditional) TV could be a part of a new sports model,” Friedman said.

Bally Sports Detroit, on cable and via streaming, likely will be part of the delivery model for years to come, but additional options may emerge. And baseball has the option of putting home games, if necessary, on the league’s subscription MLB.TV that’s currently used for fans to watch out-of-market games.

Continued (at length)

Friedman: Red Wings to waive Zadina again to terminate his contract

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Red Wings are going to place Filip Zadina on unconditional waivers in order to terminate his contract tomorrow:

We’ll see what happens tomorrow, but there is word the Detroit Red Wings are considering placing Filip Zadina on waivers for the purposes of terminating his contract.

Zadina is owed $4.56M in salary over the next two seasons. This is tricky to report, because agent Darren Ferris would not comment, but, as I write this, the belief is Zadina is prepared to walk away from the money and not contest the move. According to several sources, in recent conversations, the player made it very clear he would not report if sent to the AHL next season. (That would be a contract violation.)

If he clears waivers, he could sign anywhere he wishes.

Zadina asked for a trade before the draft, and the Red Wings placed him on regular waivers on Tuesday. Available to any team, everyone passed. Talking with local media, Yzerman made it clear salary was the problem.

“Am I happy to put him on waivers? No. I signed him to a three-year contract a year ago because I believed that he was going to grow. The reality now is: you wanted that contract, that contract may prevent you from getting the opportunity you’re looking for in another organization.”

Some development camp thoughts from Shapiro

I very happily pay the $8 a month to subscribe to Sean Shapiro’s Substack as the former Dallas Stars correspondent and EP Rinkside contributor is an excellent writer with a fine hockey mind. As he lives in Detroit, he attended several days of this year’s 2023 Summer Development Camp, and today, Sean offers some thoughts regarding the process and product thereof:

The stuff we see, the on-ice portion, is only the surface level. For some teams it’s completely unnecessary, which is why the Chicago Blackhawks completely ditched any on-ice activities at their development camp.

Development camps are more about the back-end prospect education. Teaching younger players how to eat and cook for themselves, getting some base-level medical scans on some players from Europe while they are in the NHL facility.

The off-ice growth, the Detroit Red Wings took the prospects to play paint ball for example, is hidden within the NHL machine.

Wouldn’t it be more interesting to read about how the paintball game played out that how a 19-year-old worked on his skating edges?

Alas, the Red Wings aren’t inviting me, or any media member, to the paintball game anytime soon. So we’ll have to chat about what we could see with our own eyes.

Continued (subscriber-only)

Roughly translated: Magnus Hellberg discusses his time with the Red Wings

Former Red Wings goaltender Magnus Hellberg signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an unrestricted free agent, but today, in speaking with HockeySverige.se’s Ronnie Ronnqvist, Hellberg reflected upon his tenure as a Detroit Red Wing:

“After Seattle, it was Detroit. I should add that my partner, Emma, was with me during this time and carried our daughter, Freja, who is now eight weeks old. She was heavily pregnant when I was picked up on waivers, so it wasn’t “just” packing the hockey bag; you have to pack the whole family.

“We had three different doctors, so it wasn’t just hockey-wise that things happened. But it was also in my private life. I have to give compliments to Emma. She knew what to expect this season, and was fantastic throughout the journey,” says Magnus Hellberg, who breaks into a smile. “It was a special season in that way, but at the same time, we were in the NHL for the whole season, and I only started in 20 games.”

It felt like the 2022-23 season was the first where you got a relatively big role on an NHL team?

“Yes, that’s how I felt at the same time, as it was nice to land a little with a team. Being able to be in one place and work. Not having to feel like we were living in a suitcase.

“In terms of hockey, I was mixed and gave a little. Some games felt fantastic, while others went less well. Also, Detroit, as a team, all the goalies and all the players, had a tough season, and hockey is a team sport.

“I would have liked to maintain a more stable level during the games I played, but I learned a lot throughout the season.

“In Russia, I was more of a first-choice goaltender and gained a lot of trust. In Detroit, I ended up in a back-up role where I didn’t get to play as much. Maybe I played a game every two or three weeks. It was also something I needed to deal with and make the best of the situation to help the team win.”

Do we in Sweden really understand how good Lucas Raymond was last season?

“I don’t think so. Lucas is an amazingly good hockey player, and I noticed that he will play in that league throughout his career and maintain a very high level.

“He has a really good shot and is cunning out there, and so the Swedish people will definitely see a lot more of him.”

Continued (in translation)

Your Alex DeBrincat rumors of the day

The Winged Wheel Podcast’s Ryan Hana reported the following yesterday night…

Bally Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland offered these two tidbits…

The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch added a quip of his own…

And now 97.1 the Ticket’s Karsch and Anderson show are running with last night’s rumor from Marek (who is to be believed about 99% of the time):

Continue reading Your Alex DeBrincat rumors of the day

Khan: Kris Draper’s new ‘dual role’ excites #33

Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper spoke with the media this morning at Little Caesars Arena, and MLive’s Ansar Khan took note of Draper’s comments:

“It’s something pretty special,” Draper said. “To be an assistant general manager of the Detroit Red Wings is obviously a stepping-stone, it’s a goal for me, but to earn that trust from Steve Yzerman means a lot. Obviously, he appreciates the hard work and what I’ve been doing and where we’re at and the direction we’re going.

“Just going to stay the course, keep highly motivated, understanding there’s still so much work to be done, but it’s obviously nice to be rewarded.”

Draper will continue working alongside Yzerman and assistant GM Shawn Horcoff, who oversees the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, on all hockey operations matters and continue running the draft. His expanded duties include being more involved on the business side (contracts, input on player transactions).

“I want the opportunity to sit on meetings like last week with free agency, the negotiations of contracts, entry-level deals,” Draper said. “I’d love to learn how to do those. But my main role is exactly what it’s been since Steve has come here and that’s running the draft.”

Continued