Of Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins-related note this morning:
- ESPN’s Power Rankings reflect the status of the Red Wings among the NHL media this morning, while discussing the Wings’ “Four Nations” participants:
26. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.15%Dylan Larkin was reportedly always in the plans for Team USA, and he’ll spot familiar face Lucas Raymond skating for Sweden in this event.
Next seven days: vs. COL (Dec. 7), @ BUF (Dec. 9), @ PHI (Dec. 12)
2. In prospect-related news, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff reports that Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored his 8th goal of the SHL season (and added an assist) during Skelleftea AIK’s 5-4 win over MoDo Hockey on Thursday:
Axel Sandin Pellikka(1st round’23 for Skellefteå) Goal🚨 point shot from Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (1st round’24) creates a rebound and ASP puts it home. #LGRW #Skeaik pic.twitter.com/m82WAoVyX1
— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) December 5, 2024
3. I think that SI’s Jacob Punturi might be a little misinformed when it comes to discussing potential trade acquisitions to bolster the Florida Panthers’ blueline…
Jeff Petry – Detroit Red Wings
If the Panthers look within their own division, Jeff Petry of the Detroit Red Wings could make a ton of sense. He comes at a discount after being a piece of a complicated trade affair last season. The move saw the Pittsburgh Penguins send him to the Montreal Canadiens as part of a three-team, bringing Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh. The Habs then quickly moved Petry to the Detroit Red Wings, where he’s been playing since. He now costs a bit under $2.5 million against the salary cap, which feels like a huge discount for all he provides.
For the Panthers, it could be too enticing an opportunity to pass up. Petry isn’t fleet of foot, but he can still skate 18 to 20 minutes a night and play on the power play and penalty killing units. If Florida wants to prioritize a veteran presence that can a bit of everything well, Petry and the Panthers fit like a glove.
Petry wouldn’t be missed if he were to be traded, methinks…
4. From The Grand Rapids Griffins’ website comes the issue of “Griffiti.” It includes a story about Griffins forward Dominik Shine, a profile of Griffins athletic trainer Austin Frank, there’s a check-in with Griffins alumnus Brendan Smith and profile of defenseman William Lagesson;
5. And finally, the Associated Press has already posted a brief Red Wings-vs-Colorado Avalanche game preview:
BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche visit the Detroit Red Wings after Valeri Nichushkin scored two goals in the Avalanche’s 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Detroit has a 5-6-2 record in home games and a 10-12-4 record overall. The Red Wings have a 3-4-2 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents.
Colorado is 7-6-0 in road games and 14-13 overall. The Avalanche are 7-1-0 in one-goal games.
Saturday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Lucas Raymond has nine goals and 18 assists for the Red Wings. Alex DeBrincat has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Mikko Rantanen has 15 goals and 20 assists for the Avalanche. Nichushkin has five goals and three assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Red Wings: 3-4-3, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.3 assists, 3.7 penalties and 7.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Avalanche: 5-5-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.7 assists, 3.3 penalties and 6.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.
Colorado will be playing in game 3 of a 5-game road trip tomorrow night, and they’ve lost 4 of their past 6 games as their goaltending situation is particularly murky, so the Wings may be playing the Avs at the “right time”…Though there never seems to be a right time to play a struggling opponent for the bad-luck Red Wings this season.
