Month: August 2026

Video via DHN: Trey Augustine appears on the Hockeytown West Podcast

Via Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen,

Former MSU Spartan and current Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Trey Augustine made an appearance on the Hockeytown West Podcast today. Augustine, the Red Wings second round pick from 2023, had a stellar career at Michigan State and is now set to make his full time professional debut this fall after seeing limited action with the Griffins in the spring. The young, South Lyon native has played his entire career for Michigan based teams.

With three goaltenders currently under contract with the Griffins, Augustine will be battling it out for playing time. Though, with Michal Postava potentially making a case for himself as Detroit’s backup netminder, Augustine’s path to playing time could be shorter than some other recent Red Wings goalies have found it to be.

Victor and Max Plante, brothers, distinct individuals

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff posted a profile of one Victor Plante this morning, noting that Victor and his brother, fellow Wings prospect and Hobey Baker winner Max Plante, are distinct individuals:

Some hockey people will say that in terms of pure skill, Victor might be better than Max. What those who know Victor best will also share about him is that he’s his own man. He’s undeniably proud of his brother’s accomplishments. But he’s not the least bit intimidated by being compared to Max.

Max certainly sees that aspect of his younger sibling.

“Even though he was my brother, I feel like he was kind of the player that kind of stuck out to you,” Max said. “Not only on the ice, but just like in the locker room, too. I feel like getting to know him, obviously he’s my brother, but just listening to people talk about him, he’s a great kid.”

Others who are around Victor also identify those unique characteristics in him. He doesn’t shy away from the comparisons, because he understands and accepts that under scrutiny, he’ll be able to stand on his own merits.

“I know the family a little bit,” USA World Junior coach Adam Nightingale said. “They’re great, grounded people, and I think they’ve instilled that in their kids.

“Victor, you are Victor, and you don’t have to try to be Max. I think their family’s done a great job of separating that they’re not the same.”

Continued

The NHL Network names Lucas Raymond its 20th-best ‘wing’

The NHL Network released a list of its “Top 20 wings” on Sunday night, kicking off a slate of “Top 20” lists to be released this week. Somewhat surprisingly, Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond made their list at #20:

20. Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings

Raymond led the Red Wings with 51 assists last season, when his 25 goals were third and 76 points ranked second behind Alex DeBrincat. The No. 4 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft finished the 2026 Winter Olympics second in assists (eight) and third in points (nine) in five games for seventh-place Team Sweden. He set a Sweden record for assists in an Olympics with NHL participation, passing Peter Forsberg‘s six at the 2006 Torino Games, and tied Mats Sundin (Salt Lake City, 2002) for second-most points behind Daniel Alfredsson (10 in 2006). Raymond signed an eight-year, $64.6 million contract ($8.075 million average annual value) with Detroit on Sept. 17, 2024.

Continued; I would rank Raymond higher than #20, but I’m biased.

A bit of praise for Justin Faulk

Sports Illustrated’s Jason Fink argues that Red Wings defenseman and trade deadline acquisition Justin Faulk will be part of Detroit’s leadership solution to the “Dylan Larkin problem”:

Everywhere Faulk has played, he’s had a leadership role. In Carolina, Faulk was named co-captain with Jordan Staal for the 2017-18 season. He also served as an alternate captain during his tenure with the Hurricanes before he was dealt to the Blues in the fall of 2019.

While in St. Louis, he served as an alternate captain for seven seasons. Faulk was the captain of Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, which saw USA fall to Canada 4-0 in the quarterfinals.

There’s more to Faulk than just letters on his sweater. He plays heavy minutes against the opposition’s top stars and has 1,058 career NHL games to his credit.

When Yzerman acquired him, he wasn’t just looking for a dependable defenseman. He was bringing in a veteran capable of showing the Red Wings how to win while mentoring the club’s young blueliners.

The Wings want Faulk to take defensemen such as Seider, Simon Edvinsson, and Albert Johansson under his wing and assist them in taking their games to the next level. The Red Wings know what Justin Faulk can do on the ice. This season, they’ll find out what he can do with a locker room.

Continued; there’s no doubt that the Red Wings will want Faulk to join the leadership group. The question is how much he’ll be able to step up as a strong defenseman who’s admittedly lost a step over the past couple of seasons.

AA’s in the hospital again

Hey gang,

Aunt Annie had to be readmitted to Providence Hospital in Novi today, and I’m with her in the ER right now.

We’re likely to stay for at least a couple of days as her UTI is back again, and she took a tumble on Friday and suffered a couple of cuts (and possibly a concussion) in the process.

I had hoped that we were clearing the hospital hurdle, but we’re back here and we needed to come back to get her straightened out.

I’ll blog as able and will try to minimize interruptions.

ESE Hockey to hold ‘All-Star Challenge’ on Wednesday, August 5th in Rochester, MI

ESE Hockey is holding an “All-Star Challenge” on Wednesday, August 5th at the Suburban Hockey rink in Rochester, MI, from 4-10 PM EDT.

The organization is raising funds for a 12-year-old double amputee to raise funds for a hockey sled, and tickets are free, but charitable donations are recommended.

Six teams will be taking part in the “Pro Division All-Star Challenge,” including one highlighted by Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat:

Continue reading ESE Hockey to hold ‘All-Star Challenge’ on Wednesday, August 5th in Rochester, MI

WJSS Tweet of note: Plante’s in and Hurlbert’s out for Team USA vs. Team Canada

Per Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, the Americans and Canadians have released their roster for tonight’s World Junior Summer Showcase finale, and Victor Plante remains in Team USA’s lineup, but JP Hurlbert is sitting tonight:

Update: Team USA confirms:

Update: Plante registered an assist in the Americans’ 7-2 win over Canada.

Update #2: From Red Wings Prospects on Twitter:

Preparing for a ‘worst-case scenario’ when it comes to trading Dylan Larkin

Sports Illustrated’s establishing a blog dedicated to Red Wings coverage, which is always good (more coverage is better coverage), but it’s mostly posted articles involving “lists.”

Today, SI’s Nathan Smith discusses the “3 Worst-Case Scenarios” for the Red Wings this upcoming season, and I honestly believe that this one is going to come to pass thanks to Detroit’s GM search (and the fact that Detroit needs to find “equal value” for their disgruntled captain):

Dylan Larkin Trade Saga Finds no Conclusion Into the Regular Season

This off-season in Detroit has been relatively quiet in terms of player moves, but it has been filled with speculation and discussion, primarily focused on captain Dylan Larkin and his trade request. When Larkin first made his request, he named three teams to which he would accept a trade: the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Florida Panthers. He later added the Dallas Stars to that list, which has limited the Red Wings organization’s ability to negotiate a deal.

Again, it’s Helene St. James’ word (Larkin hasn’t added Dallas to his list) vs. Ansar Khan’s word here (Larkin added Dallas to his list), so there’s not really a consensus here…

It’s now August, and a resolution has not been found; there are still two full months to go before the regular season begins, and there’s some expectation that an end to this saga isn’t anywhere in sight. With the departure of Steve Yzerman, there have also been some suggestions that Larkin could change his mind, but with so much being said by all parties this off-season, the overwhelming expectation in Detroit is that a trade is still coming.

Again, I don’t see Larkin changing his mind due to the managerial shake-up in Detroit. Especially given the ownership’s tendencies regarding trade requests, once you’re asking “out,” you’re “out.”

Continue reading Preparing for a ‘worst-case scenario’ when it comes to trading Dylan Larkin

Three Tweet things: On the NHLPA Rookie Showcase, Guimond’s records and Raymond’s ranking

Of Red Wings Twitter-based note this afternoon:

  1. Trey Augustine and Carter Bear make multiple appearances in this 2:45 highlight clip from the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago:

2. Red Wings prospect and incoming Harvard freshman Rudy Guimond is leaving a heck of a legacy in the QMJHL…

3. And I’m guessing that the answer to this one is, “No,” mostly because there were players who had flashier seasons than Raymond (and yes, this means that the NHL Network’s going to release its lists of best left wings, centers, right wings, defensemen and goaltenders over the next couple of weeks):

Bonus Tweet: Is this just Trolling?

Anton Johansson’s ready to ‘make the jump’ to the NHL

Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson was on the ice with his hometown team, Leksands IF, for their “ice premiere” yesterday. Today, the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a profile of Johansson, a 22-year-old right-shooting D who stands at 6’4″ and 196 pounds:

The likely path [for Johansson] is beginning the season in Grand Rapids, learning the North American professional game with the Griffins, and then graduating to the NHL and the Red Wings.

Defenseman Anton Johansson realizes that probably will be the road he’ll take after September’s training camp. Johansson has already played a handful games with the Griffins, including an impressive performance in April during the AHL playoffs. But like any young player, Johansson, 22, is already dreaming about wearing the Wings’ sweater in the NHL.

“You have high expectations of yourself and the team,” Johansson said during his season-ending interview with reporters. “I’m looking forward to getting started. I want to (have) a great season and hopefully make a debut (in the NHL).”

Continue reading Anton Johansson’s ready to ‘make the jump’ to the NHL