Month: September 2025

It’s the ‘bigger and stronger’ time of year for the Red Wings’ top prospects

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses the extra weight and strength gained by Red Wings prospects Carter Mazur, Axel Sandin Pellikka and Nate Danielson:

[Amadeus] Lombardi said at the prospect series against the Dallas Stars that defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th, 2023) “looks bigger for sure, and stronger.”

“Just giving the eye test,” Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson said of Sandin Pellikka, “it looks like he went home and had a really good summer, and he’s prepared to challenge for a spot in Detroit.”

Nate Danielson (drafted ninth, 2023), another candidate to make the Detroit roster, said he spent “a lot of time in the gym this summer.”

He’s added eight pounds of muscle to reach 198 pounds. Danielson learned last season, in his first full AHL campaign, that his body needed sculpting.

“Playing against older and stronger guys, you realize that you need that little bit extra, extra weight.,” Danielson said. “I feel great. Especially down low in the corners and just being stronger on my skates. That was the main thing. As the year goes on, tend to lose a little bit of weight. It’s nice to come into camp a little bit heavier.”

Danielson is only 20. Time is on his side when it comes to growing stronger.

“You have an opportunity to get in the gym, an opportunity to work on things that you need to,” [Red Wings assistant GM Kris] Draper said, “and just kind of let Mother Nature take over on some of these underdeveloped bodies.”

Continued

Tweet of note via RWP: Max Plante named to NCHC Preseason All-Star Team

Via Red Wings Prospects on Twitter comes this important note:

Per the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs‘ website:

One day after being named an alternate captain for the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team, Max Plante has been named to the 2025-26 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Preseason All-Conference Team.

The sophomore forward, despite playing in just 23 games last season due to injury and national junior team duty, scored nine goals and dished 19 assists for 28 points as a rookie. That 1.21 points per game average for the Hermantown, Minn. product helped make him a 2024-25 Finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year, and cleared him a spot on the 2024-25 NCHC All-Rookie Team. Plante – who had nine games with two or more points last season – posted a 1.05 ppg average in NCHC games that led all rookies in league play. Plante also helped the U.S. win gold at the 2025 World Junior Championship in January.

Plante becomes the first Bulldog to land on the league’s preseason team since current Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates earned the honor ahead of the 2021-22 season.

2025-26 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team
F: Sam Harris, Denver, Jr. – 22 votes
F: Cullen Potter, Arizona State, So. – 19 votes
F: Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 15 votes
D: Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, Jr. – 25 votes
D: Eric Pohlkamp, Denver, Jr. – 16 votes
G: Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So. – 21 votes

Plante and the Bulldogs will open up the 2025-26 season against the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska on Oct. 3-4. The Friday-Saturday series will get underway that Friday at 10:00 p.m. CDT.

HSJ in the afternoon: More patience is requested

The Free Press’s Helene St. James offers her take on Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s press conference, suggesting that fan (and media) frustration doesn’t necessarily register with the Red Wings’ program:

“The goal here is to build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup,” Yzerman said Wednesday, Sept. 17. “We’re going to continue to try and run a good program, we’re going to continue to try and improve each season with the goal of becoming a playoff team and a team that eventually competes for a Stanley Cup.”

This week marks the start of training camps around the 32-team NHL, and the Wings are nobody’s preseason favorite to be playing next June. But what about just making the playoffs, ending a streak that’s grown to a franchise-tarnishing nine straight seasons?

“I understand the frustration or maybe the lack of, I don’t want to say patience because I think everybody’s been pretty patient, but the sense of urgency within the fan base,” Yzerman said. “I understand it. But you guys heard it when Kenny Holland was here – you want to go into a rebuild, it takes time and it takes a long time. It’s not finishing at the bottom for a couple years getting a high pick and away you go, it’s over.  Just looking around at all franchises, it’s taken along time for them to do it.”

It takes a long time isn’t exactly a marketing department’s dream slogan. Yzerman is right that his predecessor, Holland, used to say the same thing – find a general manager that says otherwise – but the Wings head into camp coming off a season that saw them, for the first time since Yzerman was named GM in April 2019, regress in the standings points-wise, finishing with 86 points, five less than in 2023-24. They were also eliminated days before the end of the season, rather than forcing it all the way to overtime in the final game of the previous season.

Last season was marked by a coaching change at Christmas, and there’s no doubt that Todd McLellan being in charge from the start of camp will be beneficial. He’ll have largely the same team in front of him when the Wings take the ice starting Thursday, Sept. 18 in Traverse City, with only a handful of new faces: Forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, defensemen Travis Hamonic and Jacob Bernard-Docker, and goaltender John Gibson.

“Our goal is to improve from last year,” Yzerman said. “Our younger players taking another step, the addition to John Gibson in goal – how good? Can’t really tell you at this stage,  but I expect our team to be improved.”

Continued (paywall)

Yzerman believes that the Red Wings’ youth movement must deliver

MLive’s Ansar Khan found a set of comments from Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s morning press conference which summarize the GM’s outlook for the 2025-2026 Red Wings team:

“I see progress in the organization,” Yzerman said Wednesday while addressing the media on the eve of training camp in Traverse City. “I look at the young players coming into the organization — I look at the young players playing on the Detroit Red Wings today — I’m hopeful that maybe one or two of them, at some point, if not at the start, get into our lineup. So, at some point during the season we continue to build a young core that eventually is here for a long time and competes on a regular basis to make the playoffs.”

The Red Wings return with much the same roster that finished 39-35-8 (86 points), five points out of the final playoff spot, due to a thin free-agent market and, according to Yzerman, limited trade opportunities.

Their biggest upgrade is in goal, acquiring John Gibson in a trade with Anaheim. They also added depth wingers James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton and third-pair defensemen Travis Hamonic and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

“Hopefully with a combination of John and Cam (Talbot) we can improve (their save percentage),” Yzerman said. “I look at our D corps with Simon (Edvinsson) going into his second full year. Albert (Johansson) quietly had a very steady year. Hopefully, both take another step. Marco Kasper playing more minutes down the stretch and performing very well. We’re hopeful he can continue that trajectory. Even the (Moritz Seiders and Lucas Raymonds) I consider still really young, and their career path is on the rise. And then I think at the bottom of our lineup I expect to get a little bit more production which will help us five-on-five. Penalty killing (which ranked last in the league), we have to improve that area.

“We know what to expect out of our veteran group (led by Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane). These guys are all well-conditioned, very professional. I don’t expect any drop-off in them. So really it comes from our younger guys improving.”

Continued (paywall)

Press release: Grand Rapids Griffins hire Jared Van Zant as physical therapist

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

JARED VAN ZANT NAMED PHYSICAL THERAPIST FOR GRIFFINS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday announced Jared Van Zant as the new Grand Rapids Griffins physical therapist, working alongside head athletic trainer Austin Frank.

Van Zant most recently served as a physical therapist from 2023-25 at Team Rehabilitation Bloomfield 2 – Sports Specialty Clinic in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Van Zant also has experience as a human anatomy teaching assistant and student tutor for Wayne State University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Van Zant received his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise and sports science in 2019 from Wayne State University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wayne State in 2023. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist in addition to possessing certificates in Hawk Grips, functional dry needling, and applied functional science. He is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Yzerman says he and Chris Ilitch are on the same patient page

For those of you wondering, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman did address his relationship with the team’s ownership during this morning’s pre-training camp press conference, as noted by the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:

Yzerman meets with owner Chris Ilitch regularly and the two understand rebuilding a hockey organization can take time.

“Chris and I have spoken and going back to when he hired me, that it’s going to take a long time, and we’re going to be patient and going to allow our young players to develop, rely heavily on the draft and hopefully over time, these young players that we draft turn into NHL players,” Yzerman said.

“How many years is it supposed to take? I don’t know, is it four, five, or 10 years? Ultimately it’s ownership’s decision when they feel they’re not (comfortable) with the direction of the club or plan, that’s their decision. But Chris and I have spoken about it and he’s understood the process and where we’re at.

“We’re not completely tone deaf. We know the expectations and hopes of our fan base, but we’ll continue with the process and look for opportunities to expedite it whether that’s through trades or free agency, but we’ll continue doing what we have to do.

“Ultimately my job is to do what is right for the organization and we’ll continue to do that.”

Continued (paywall);

Update: Per the Hockey News’s Michael Whitaker:

Continue reading Yzerman says he and Chris Ilitch are on the same patient page

Playing the long game

EliteProspects/DLLS Stars/Shap Shots’ Sean Shapiro offers several cogent observations from Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s press conference today:

It’s about building a Stanley Cup contender, not a playoff team

This isn’t news, we’ve heard Yzerman speak multiple times about how he wants to build a team that competes for the Stanley Cup, not one that simply makes the playoffs.

It’s also hard to ignore the fact that this franchise has now never gone this long without a playoff appearance. Yzerman was asked about that multiple times, about the pressure and where things are, he approached each answer as he typically has — he sees progress, rebuilds take time, and one of his new favorite topics, how he sees things different than the media that only cares about getting into the postseason.

One reporter, particular, has had the same back-and-forth with Yzerman in each of his past three media settings if my notes are correct.

“We know they’re are expectations and the hopes for our fan base and for the media as well, but continue with the process and look for opportunities,” Yzerman said. “As I said, to expedite it, whether that’s through trade or free agency. But we’ll continue with doing what we have to do. And ultimately, my job is to do what’s right for the organization, and I will continue to do that.”

Yzerman also spoke about internal growth and the addition of John Gibson, how players like Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper will take strides, and how that should help with the long-term goal.

Continued (paywall)

‘The change of scenery gambit’

Daily Faceoff’s Paul Pidutti posted a “High Noon” ranking of the NHL’s top goaltenders, and he offers John Gibson as a “featured player” :

After constant speculation, the domino dropped in June and John Gibson was finally traded. The reason potential goalie moves get a lot of attention is because they’re rare. Among the top 30, only two goalies — Gibson and Petr Mrazek, traded in the same deal — swapped teams this past offseason. GM Steve Yzerman is hoping Gibson (#27 in High Noon) and incumbent Cam Talbot (#16) collectively solve Detroit‘s long-running instability in goal.

What are they getting in Gibson? It’s been hard to separate the goaltender from a struggling Ducks’ team for a while. The High Noon rankings say it’s been six years since Gibson was elite — he ranked #1 and #2 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Now 32 years old, it’s the classic change of scenery gambit. The Wings are hoping that a motivated veteran fits right in, following the footsteps of Kuemper in Los Angeles last offseason. It would be a welcome development as patience is in short supply for Hockeytown’s rebuild.

Continued

From the Yzerman presser: Simon Edvinsson has a lower-body injury, should be back for the start of the regular season; Carter Bear is good to go

According to Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman, prospect Carter Bear will be ready to go for training camp scrimmages and eventually the Red & White Game and exhibitions…

But Simon Edvinsson has a lower-body injury, and he won’t be back until around the start of the regular season.

Those were all the injuries of note from Yzerman.

He also stated that, as of right now, there are no Pro Try-Outs (PTO’s). They’re still talking with players and agents, but some PTO’s went elsewhere, and some are still debating where to go.

Update: Per MLive’s Ansar Khan:

Continue reading From the Yzerman presser: Simon Edvinsson has a lower-body injury, should be back for the start of the regular season; Carter Bear is good to go

Press release: WXSP to televise 8 Griffins games and Red vs. White Game

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

WXSP-TV TO TELEVISE RED & WHITE GAME PLUS EIGHT GRIFFINS HOME GAMES

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings’ Red & White Game plus eight Grand Rapids Griffins 2025-26 regular-season home games at Van Andel Arena will be televised live to fans across West Michigan on WXSP-TV.

In addition to being televised on WXSP, the Red & White Game this Sunday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. will also be streamed live on DetroitRedWings.com and the Detroit Red Wings app.

For the sixth consecutive year, WXSP will serve as the exclusive live in-market television partner for the Griffins. A sister station to WOOD TV8 and WOTV, WSXP can be found on all local cable systems as well as a series of low-power channels across the region, including in Grand Rapids (WOLP channel 27), Holland (WOHO ch. 33), Muskegon (WOMS ch. 29), Kalamazoo (WOKZ ch. 50) and Battle Creek (WOBC ch. 14).

The slate of games on WXSP kicks off Saturday, Oct. 18 when the Manitoba Moose visit Van Andel Arena at 7 p.m. The eight games will feature eight different opponents, ensuring fans in West Michigan have the opportunity to view some of the top NHL prospects coming through the ranks. The full list of televised games on WXSP can be found below. Click here to see the Griffins’ complete 2025-26 home schedule.

The Voice of the Griffins, Bob Kaser, and color commentator Larry Figurski return for their 26th season in the broadcast booth. The Griffins’ telecasts will be simulcast on WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM.

For Griffins fans outside of the WXSP viewing area or who prefer to watch games on their mobile device or computer, AHLTV on FloHockey is the exclusive streaming provider for all 72 games, both home and away, with a full-season subscription, including playoffs, priced at $149.88.

Griffins Hockey on WXSP-TV

Saturday, Oct. 18 vs. Manitoba

Friday, Nov. 14 vs. Toronto

Sunday, Dec. 21 vs. Cleveland (4 p.m.)

Friday, Jan. 9 vs. Texas

Friday, Jan. 30 vs. Chicago

Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Iowa

Saturday, March 14 vs. Milwaukee

Saturday, April 11 vs. Rockford

*All games will begin at 7 p.m. ET unless otherwise noted.