Month: September 2024

Two things: on lower-tier Wings and Ville Husso facing pressure

Of Red Wings-related note this morning:

  1. The Score’s John Matisz ranks the Red Wings as a team that will not quite make the playoffs this upcoming season in his “Bottom 16” rankings:

Detroit Red Wings

A high-level recap of the Red Wings’ offseason: David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere, Walman, Robby Fabbri, Daniel Sprong, and James Reimer are out. Vladimir Tarasenko, Erik Gustafsson, Tyler Motte, and Cam Talbot are in. Patrick Kane re-upped. Restricted free agents Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider remain unsigned but should be extended soon.

Despite all the action, Detroit still lacks a weapon or two up front; its goaltending is still nothing special, though slightly improved; and its blue line still has only three top-four defensemen. The Red Wings are decisively mid.

Florida, Toronto, Boston, and Tampa Bay will battle for the Atlantic Division’s three playoff spots, with the loser grabbing a wild card. That leaves Detroit to jostle with Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, and a couple of Metropolitan teams for the other wild card. It won’t be a massive surprise if the Red Wings take it, but several other teams have higher upside.

It will be a massive surprise if the Red Wings aren’t written off by everyone this September and October. They’ve got to earn their respect.

2. Daily Faceoff’s Shane Seney discusses Eastern Conference players “under pressure” this upcoming season, and he zeroes his sights in on Ville Husso:

Ville Husso, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 29
23-24 Stats: 19 GP, 9-5-2, 3.55 GAA, .892 Sv.%,
Contract: One year remaining, $4.75 million AAV

Husso battled a slew of lower-body injuries last season and couldn’t stay in the lineup. With just one season left on his deal and with expectations that haven’t been sniffed in Motown, the clock is ticking. It’s become quite obvious Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman wants his team to take the next step as he’s added a number of veterans this offseason. Yzerman also wasn’t happy with his goaltending depth and reshaped it, bringing in Cam Talbot and Jack Campbell. They’ll join Alex Lyon and Husso in the battle for minutes and if Husso doesn’t prove throughout the preseason he’s capable of consistent production, he could quickly become the third option and a complete afterthought in Detroit. Lyon is probably the favorite for the backup job right now.

I’m loath to make predictions as to goaltending hierarchies when the Red Wings have an 8-games-in-12-nights exhibition schedule. Injuries and impact over the course of minimal playing time will help sort out the pecking order, and then the first 10-15 games will probably sort things out.

Make it “three things,” because Bleacher Report’s Adam Gretz offers a tired, old reason “why your team won’t win the Stanley Cup“:

Detroit Red Wings: Defense is not good enough

The Red Wings have not made the playoffs in eight years, but they finally showed some progress in 2023-24 by coming closer than they have since their last appearance in 2015-16.

They lost out on a tiebreaker for the second wild-card spot, wasting what was one of the best offensive performances in the league.

The reason they fell just short? They did not defend well enough, finishing 24th in the league in goals against.

They did not do much to address those defensive shortcomings this offseason, and they may have actually made their blue line worse by trading Jake Walman to San Jose in a salary-dump trade.

Top prospect Simon Edvinsson should be ready to make an impact and Moritz Seider is a tremendous young player, but those two guys alone are not going to be enough to make up for the shortcomings elsewhere defensively.

Fundraising on the ropes

I happened to suffer from a late summertime cold on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I still don’t feel well today, but I’m up to sitting behind the computer, and that means that I should be working.

I’ve posted every pertinent Red Wings story in the “Catch-Up Post of Doom,” I’ve caught up on my Google email alerts (all 400 of them), I’m working on preparing for therapy later today and now…

This is gonna be tough.

We are at the lowest point in terms of fundraising ever in terms of the Traverse City trip. The $520 in the GoFundMe is about where we’re at, and I really don’t know how we’re going to be able to raise the rest of the $4,500 necessary to 1) rent a car next Wednesday and 2) pay for half the hotel bill next Thursday as Aunt Annie and I hope to head up to Traverse City for the Red Wings’ Prospect Showcase and training camp.

We’re scared. We don’t know how the hell we’re going to be able to raise enough funds to have cash on hand to pay the necessary bills to get the 82-year-old, double hip replacement patient that is my caregiving responsibility and me up to Traverse City in a week.

We’re kind of lost here, and I’m feeling depressed and down about the high probability of missing TC for the first time since the lockout already.

I don’t know what to do other than ask for your support. I know that the Mysterious Benefactor’s $2,000 donation was a one-time thing. I know that I’ve had two $1,200 donators who may or may not be able to help this year (money is tight for everyone). I know that Kukla is understandably raising funds just to get by, and that’s worth your time, too.

But I’m asking as humbly as possible for your help to make an increasingly unlikely dream to happen.

I don’t know how the hell we’re going to make it happen, but we’ve got to try, so if you’re able to help, please do.

If you’re willing to lend a hand, have an official GoFundMe fundraiser page at https://gofund.me/c08de120; we have a PayPal option at https://paypal.me/TheMalikReport; there’s Venmo at https://venmo.com/george-malik-2; if you’re into the, “I don’t want to use any of those pages” option, here’s always the Giftly option by using my email, rtxg@yahoo.com, at https://www.giftly.com…

And in the banking options, you can contact me via email if you want to send me a paper check, or “Zelle” me via my email, rtxg@yahoo.com. I’m also on Cash App under “georgeums.”

As always, thank you for your readership and your time.

Red Wings/Griffins/Walleye catch-up post of doom

Of Red Wings, Griffins and Walleye-related note over the past couple of days:

DetroitRedWings.com: The Red Wings released their Prospect Games roster and schedule on Tuesday;

Jonathan Mills wrote a profile of Ondrej Becher;

Detroit Hockey Now: In a subscriber-only article, Kevin Allen discussed the Wings’ salary cap situation for the summer of 2025;

Allen briefly discussed Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s situation heading into the Prospect Games and training camp, while Bob Duff discussed the online buzz about Brandsegg-Nygard’s game;

As Duff notes, former Wing Marc Staal has retired…

And Dmitri Buchelnikov scored a goal and had an assist in HC Vityaz Moscow Region’s 3-2 loss to Admiral Vladivostok, playing 17:09 and finishing at +2:

Duff also peeked behind the paywall as Expressen’s Gunnar Nordstrom discussed the Raymond situation:

Continue reading Red Wings/Griffins/Walleye catch-up post of doom

Pagnotta reports progress in Raymond, Seider talks

On Thursday night, the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta offered good news regarding Lucas Raymond’s contract extension…

TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on Thursday that Detroit and Raymond’s camp at CAA are concentrating on a long-term contract as opposed to a short-term bridge deal, but the two sides remain in discussions as of Thursday morning.

“They aren’t there yet, but they are talking a lot and trying to hammer away and get this done,” Pagnotta said. “The focus is still on long-term, and talks have gained traction, but they’re still grinding away at it.”

Contract talks have picked up over the last 10 days or so and with 13 days until training camps open across the NHL, there is still time to get a new contract ironed out before players report to their clubs.

Negotiations are also ongoing between the Red Wings and their two other restricted free agents, Moritz Seider and Jonatan Berggren.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman currently has just over $17.648 million in salary cap space to play with this season, as per PuckPedia.

Berggren, who returned to Detroit this week, is expected to have his next contract worked out by the start of camp, though deals for both Raymond and Seider and their salary cap implications will factor into Berggren’s next contract.

And Pagnotta Tweeted this:

I’m never quite certain what to make of Pagnotta’s takes–there are times that he’s spot-on with behind-the-scenes news, and sometimes, they feel like shots in the dark–but he is very much so connected to player agents and GM’s.

We all know that the Red Wings’ operate like a nuclear submarine–silently–but it is entirely possible that J.P. Barry of CAA sports or Claude Lemieux may be letting it be known that contract agreements are being worked out.

I’ve had a feeling for a while now that things will get done before the start of the regular season, and I’m gonna stick by that gut feeling.

Belated press release: Red Wings post roster for ‘Prospect Games’ vs. Dallas

It’s a couple of days late, but here’s the Red Wings’ “Prospect Games'” roster:

RED WINGS RELEASE 2024 NHL PROSPECT GAMES ROSTER AND SCHEDULE

First-Round Pair of Danielson and Brandsegg-Nygård Headline 24-Man Roster

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today released their 2024 NHL Prospect Games roster and a complete schedule for the two-day event, held on Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15 at Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City, Mich. The team consists of 24 recent draft picks, free agent signees and tryouts who will battle against prospects from the Dallas Stars.

The Red Wings roster is highlighted by first-round picks from each of the last two NHL Entry Drafts: center Nate Danielson (9th overall, 2023) and right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (15th overall, 2024). Danielson split the 2023-24 season between the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks, logging 67 points (24-43-67), a plus-26 rating and 42 penalty minutes in 54 regular-season games. The 6-foot-2, 188-pound forward also tallied 24 points (7-17-24) and 16 penalty minutes in 18 postseason matchups, helping the Winterhawks reach the WHL Championship Series. Danielson went on to make his professional debut with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, skating in two Calder Cup Playoff games. Brandsegg-Nygård spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with Mora IK in Sweden’s second-highest professional league, recording 18 points (8-10-18), a plus-three rating and 19 penalty minutes in 41 regular-season games. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound forward also collected 10 points (4-6-10) and eight penalty minutes in 12 postseason contests, helping Mora IK reach the Semifinals for the second consecutive season. Additionally, Brandsegg-Nygård logged 12 points (5-7-12), a plus-nine rating and 10 penalty minutes in seven games with Mora IK’s under-20 team in Sweden’s top junior league. A native of Oslo, Norway, Brandsegg-Nygård became the first Norwegian-born player to be selected in the first round of an NHL Entry Draft.

Continue reading Belated press release: Red Wings post roster for ‘Prospect Games’ vs. Dallas

Belated press release: Griffins reveal 2024-2025 promotional schedule

GRIFFINS RELEASE 2024-25 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday announced their promotional schedule for the 2024-25 season, featuring a number of giveaways and the return of many popular season-long promotions. Single-game tickets for each of the team’s 36 regular-season home games at Van Andel Arena will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at griffinshockey.com/tickets.

The Griffins will launch the home portion of their 72-game slate on Friday, Oct. 11 against the Milwaukee Admirals with Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank. Promotions for the home opener include a magnet schedule giveaway and $2 beers/hot dogs.

Grand Rapids’ other giveaways this season include a team calendar (Oct. 19), camo hooded t-shirt (Nov. 15), Brad Thompson beard chia pet (Nov. 24), Sebastian Cossa bobblehead (Dec. 1), Batman bobblehead (Jan. 11), adult Dino Night jersey (Jan. 18), Simon Edvinsson Flying Toasters bobblehead (Feb. 23), and a Beer City Hockey hat (March 22).

Continue reading Belated press release: Griffins reveal 2024-2025 promotional schedule

A sniffly update

I apologize for delays in coverage. I’m still sick today. I’ve been bedridden for the last three days with fever-and-chill symptoms, heavy fatigue, sinus problems and general malaise.

I’m trying my best to get better ASAP–this is a shitty time of the preseason to miss time–but I appear to have a bad cold and there isn’t much I can do other than rest, because I feel truly awful.

As soon as I can sit up, I’ll be back behind the laptop and working for you.

Duff confirms that Brandsegg-Nygard has a couple of Champions Hockey League games to go before attending Detroit’s training camp

We already know that Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is going to take part in two Champions Hockey League games later this week before departing for Detroit to attend the prospect tournament and main training camp. This morning, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff confirms those plans:

“He is with us this week and plays two (Champions Hockey League) games,” Skelleftea coach Robert Ohlsson was confirming to Swedish website Aftonbladet.

Skellefta will be playing Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg on Friday and Germany’s Straubing Tigers on Sunday in CHL competition.

“Then he goes to training camp and will play some practice games (with the Red Wings),” Ohlsson said. “Then (Detroit GM Steve) Yzerman and the boys have to make a decision if he is NHL-ready or if he is going back to Skelleftea. There it is. He is Detroit’s player.”

For his part, Brandsegg-Nygard doesn’t seem to think he’ll be making his Red Wings debut during the 2024-25 NHL season.

“I’m going to do everything I can, and everyone wants to play in the NHL, but it’s a very difficult goal now,” Brandsegg-Nygard told Norwegian website Nitten. “I doubt it will happen.”

Continued; Brandsegg-Nygard has repeatedly stated that he’d prefer to play for Skelleftea AIK (and Axel Sandin Pellikka) this upcoming season, and unless the Red Wings feel that he’s truly ready for AHL hockey, they’ll respect his wishes.

Pronman’s list of ‘the best players and prospects under 23’ is what it is

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman ranks “the best players and prospects under 23” this morning, and you know the drill by now: many players and prospects finish ahead of Detroit’s class, which includes Lucas Raymond but not 23-year-old Moritz Seider. I’m surprised how low Raymond ranks, below both NHL’ers and a gaggle of prospects, but that’s how things tend to go:

28. Lucas Raymond

Raymond had a great season; he was a constant offensive threat for Detroit and led their team in scoring. He has special puck skills, with the ability to make high-skill maneuvers in tight areas at a high rate. He combines that skill with excellent offensive IQ and vision. He had a good shot and with how many plays he makes he can run a PP1 in the NHL. Raymond isn’t that big, but he works hard and doesn’t shy from going to the net. He’s not that big or fast, but he’s very elusive and has good edges. He is a legit top-line forward in the NHL.

31. Nate Danielson

Danielson’s season started off poorly in Brandon, but after he was traded to Portland he looked more like the top-10 pick, especially in the playoffs. His numbers aren’t amazing for where I have him projected, but I’ve seen enough offense from this player to think he’s going to score in the NHL. He has excellent 1v1 skills, he skates well, and his ability to create chances in transition will make him dangerous as a pro. He’s both a strong passer and shooter who can make a lot of things happen inside the offensive zone. Danielson is also a diligent two-way center. I get the concerns on his production, but when I’ve watched the player I think his skill is legit. If he’s Detroit’s second-line center of the future he can be a heck of a 2C.

49. Simon Edvinsson

Edvinsson was very good in the AHL this season and earned 16 games up with Detroit. Edvinsson is a rare package of size, mobility and skill. You don’t find big men who can one-on-one opponents often like he can. He is huge and competes well, showing the ability to close on checks
with his length and body. He skates pucks up ice well and retrieves them well. There will be a minor debate on if Edvinsson will ever be a top-end point producer as I don’t see a true playmaker in his game. The sum of the parts should still add up to a good top-four defenseman.

Continue reading Pronman’s list of ‘the best players and prospects under 23’ is what it is