Month: July 2025

Monarrez is upset with Yzerman’s free agency inertia

The Detroit Free Press’s Carlos Monarrez is upset with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s lack of moves during the first day of unrestricted free agency:

Forget about the Yzerplan. This level of do-nothingness while the Wings are riding a nine-year playoff drought requires a new descriptive moniker for the GM.

May I suggest Mild-zerman?

I’ll be the first to say I had a wild fantasy of Yzerman finally taking a bold step and signing top-of-the-market players with the Wings needing a top-six forward and top-four defenseman. It was a fantasy that ended with defenseman Aaron Ekblad making a stretch pass to Mitch Marner, who beat Stuart Skinner on a breakaway for the Stanley Cup-winning goal in the Wings’ 4-0 sweep of Edmonton.

As I said, a fantasy. Because this is Mild-zerman, who tends to make moves with all the urgency of an old dog sitting by the fire.

Continued; for better or worse, Yzerman is a methodical, patient general manager. I’ve been saying that for a long time.

I just don’t believe that the Wings’ management team can be fully judged for losing out on July 1st given that the Red Wings are not a “destination team” right now, and given that the GM promised to pursue post-free agency trades. We have yet to determine what the team does or does not do in terms of improving itself over the course of the summer.

HSJ in the morning: Gibson’s on board, but Wings have yet to land free agent help

The Free Press’s Helene St. James combined an interview with new Red Wings goaltender John Gibson and an early take on the Wings’ free agency struggles (thus far):

Gibson was in Mexico when he found out he was leaving the only NHL team he’s known.

“I was in Cabo for a charity event,” he said. “I found out right before I was getting ready to head out on a boat. It was interesting timing. I more felt bad that I missed a lot of phone calls and things like that. I’m trying to catch up, introduce myself, get to meet everyone over the phone. It’s very exciting. It’s tough being in one place so long, you have to say goodbye to a lot of close friendships within the organization. But me and my family are really excited for the next chapter. I still feel like I have a lot left to prove and excited to get the season going and play. Hopefully we can get Detroit into the playoffs.”

As it stands, the Wings are returning nearly the same team that fell short last season, with a few changes. The additions are Gibson and van Riemsdyk. Mrazek and Vladimir Tarasenko both have been traded, and Alex Lyon and Jeff Petry signed elsewhere.

Nate Danielson, the team’s first-round pick (at No. 9) from 2023 may challenge for a spot come camp, but he’s not the power winger the Wings targeted. There are high expectations on Axel Sandin Pellikka, but the defenseman is only just starting his North American career. It’s not a particularly encouraging situation on July 1, but at least Gibson is on board.

“I’m super excited,” he said. “It’s a new chapter, fresh start. I’m excited to prove myself. You have a team and an organization that really wants to get back to playoff hockey. They’ve been so close for a couple years. I’m really privileged and honored to become a part of it all.”

Continued (paywall)

Press release: Gary Bettman weighs in on the passing of Alex Delvecchio

From the NHL:

NEW YORK (July 1, 2025) – National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman today released the following statement regarding the passing of Alex Delvecchio:

“Few athletes in any sport ever have been as synonymous with one franchise as Alex Delvecchio was with the Detroit Red Wings. An elegant skater, deft playmaker and beloved teammate, he played every one of his 1,670 regular-season and playoff games in the NHL for the Red Wings. Then, upon his retirement from a career that included 13 All-Star Game appearances, the three-time Stanley Cup champion and three-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy served both as Detroit’s head coach and general manager.

“Delvecchio’s work as the center on the famed Production Line with wingers Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay was pivotal to the Wings’ title runs in 1952, 1954 and 1955, and he served as team captain for 12 years. Voted one of the NHL’s Top 100 Players in 2017, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977. The Red Wings retired his No. 10 in 1991.

“The National Hockey League mourns the passing of this true legend of the game and extends its sincere condolences to his family and many friends and fans all over the hockey world.”

Bultman discusses potential trade targets and a franchise’s inertia

The Athletic’s Max Bultman discusses the Red Wings’ options to improve the team’s roster after striking out (for the most part) in the free agent marketplace:

In [John] Gibson, Detroit got around a barren free-agent goalie market by trading for a proven starter with real upside even if he also has some question marks. But the Red Wings still could really use a top-four defenseman and a top-line left wing, and barring a stunning push for Ehlers, a trade now looks like their only path.

The trade market, of course, has started to thin out as well. Miller was arguably the best possible fit for Detroit due to his age and profile. Vegas’ Nic Hague looked like a good candidate, too, before he was dealt to Nashville ahead of the Marner trade. The pipe-dream option, Noah Dobson, already moved as well, going from the New York Islanders to Montreal.

There aren’t many obvious names that remain, especially on defense. Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson and Buffalo’s Bowen Byram are the two clear impact defensemen still thought to be in play.

Both come with their own challenges. Can Detroit find an offer Buffalo will accept, as a team also looking to improve now? Would it be able to get Andersson (set to be a UFA one year from now) to extend?

Up front, there are perhaps more plausible targets, such as Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust, Dallas’ Jason Robertson or Nashville’s Jonathan Marchessault, whose first year with the Predators was a rocky one for the team.

But whether it’s those players or someone else, what’s become clear is that the simplest avenues are no longer available — if, frankly, they were ever available, for a team that increasingly feels stuck.

Continued (paywall)

Marian and Christopher Ilitch weigh in regarding Alex Delvecchio’s passing

DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted statements from Marian and Christopher Ilitch regarding the passing of Alex Delvecchio today:

Synonymous with Hockeytown and one of the most distinguished figures in Detroit Red Wings franchise history, Alexander (Alex) Peter Delvecchio passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday, July 1, leaving behind an impeccable legacy of character, dedication, and humility both on and off the ice.

The Hall of Famer and three-time Stanley Cup champion made an indelible mark on the Red Wings organization throughout his 27-year career, starting first as a premier center and eventual captain of the team before becoming the franchise’s Head Coach and General Manager.

“I am honored to have known our dear friend and Red Wings legend, Alex Delvecchio,” said Marian Ilitch. “Alex was a cherished part of the Red Wings family, and I’m grateful for the years my husband Mike and I shared with him, as well as the remarkable legacy he leaves behind—both in the rafters of the arena and in the hearts of Red Wings fans everywhere. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Delvecchio family during this time of loss.”

“The Detroit Red Wings organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Alex Delvecchio – a true Red Wings great whose contributions to our team, our city, and the game of hockey will never be forgotten,” said Detroit Red Wings Governor and CEO, Chris Ilitch. “Alex embodied what it means to be a Red Wing: loyalty, humility, and excellence on and off the ice. For over two decades, including 12 as captain of the Red Wings, Alex earned the reputation as one of the best two-way forwards in NHL history. Following his Hall of Fame career, he continued to represent the Red Wings with class and distinction as both an executive and ambassador. Our thoughts are with the Delvecchio family and all those who were fortunate enough to know and admire Alex. His legacy will forever be remembered as part of Red Wings history and Hockeytown.”

Continued

The first day of free agency was underwhelming for the Red Wings, but it’s hard to call them a ‘loser’ just yet

Okay. It’s the evening of July 1st, Canada Day, and the Red Wings haven’t accomplished very much in terms of shopping for free agents, among a weak free agent class.

The team’s signed James van Riemsdyk to a 1-year, $1 million contract, it’s signed wild card defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker to a 1-year, $875,000 contract, and Grand Rapids Griffins-bound defenseman Ian Mitchell and left wing John Leonard to $775,000 contracts.

Now the Wings have admittedly sit on the sidelines as several teams have landed free agent forwards with offensive panache or physical bite for fairly modest terms, but the Wings also sit with $15.33 million of salary cap space, with only restricted free agent Elmer Soderblom to re-sign.

It is highly likely that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will at least pursue potential trades over the next couple of weeks, too, and as such, it’s very hard to give the Red Wings a “free agency grade” while the team is still actively attempting to improve its roster.

Nonetheless, writers are already doling out free agency grades, and Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin has deemed the Red Wings to be a “loser” due to their inactivity:

Continue reading The first day of free agency was underwhelming for the Red Wings, but it’s hard to call them a ‘loser’ just yet

Tweet of sadness: Alex Delvecchio has passed away

Per the Detroit Red Wings:

John Gibson’s optimistic about the next chapter of his career

Updated 2x at 7:22 PM: The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a set of comments from new Red Wings goaltender John Gibson, who held a Zoom press conference earlier today, and now, DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills offers his take on the Gibson presser:

Gibson believes two key faces behind Detroit’s bench will help him get used to his new surroundings.

“He holds his standard and principles, and you just kind of go,” Gibson said about Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, who he played for on Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. “Piggybacking off that, I had a lot of experience with [assistant coach] Trent Yawney as well. Kind of grew up with him –he was my first coach in Norfolk and had him for quite a few years in Anaheim, so having some familiar faces there with Trent and Todd definitely helps ease the transition.”

What’s more, Gibson has already heard from some of his new Red Wings teammates, including captain Dylan Larkin and fellow goalie Cam Talbot.

“Still kind of going through, getting some names and numbers,” Gibson said. “I’m meeting everybody now. Obviously, with July 1 and everything going on, it’s been a busy week and I’m sure it’ll be a busy few days. I’m sure as things start to settle in and all that, then there will be more of that going on.”

With plenty of talent set to play in front of him, Gibson said he sees promise in Detroit’s roster and is determined to help the club take that next step in 2025-26.

“Their resume over the last few years shows that they’re right there,” Gibson said about the Red Wings. “That’s where I want to be. I want to be fighting for the playoffs and get in the playoffs. I truly feel that all you got to do is make it in the playoffs, and once you do that it’s a whole new season whether you’re the Presidents’ Trophy Winner or the eighth seed. You never know what could happen.”

Continued

Update: Here’s more from Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen:

Continue reading John Gibson’s optimistic about the next chapter of his career

Red Wings sign left wing John Leonard to 1-year, $775K contract

Per the Detroit Red Wings:

Leonard is a 26-year-old left and right wing who is 5’10” and 190 pounds. He posted 36 goals and 25 assists for 61 points over the course of 72 games with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL this past season.