Author: George Malik

MLive’s Ansar Khan suggests that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will likely wait out the 2019-2020 season before making significant managerial moves. Khan indicates that we should not be surprised if Yzerman emulates the man who “showed him the ropes”:

The team has stockpiled young forwards, some of whom are proven NHL players (Dylan Larkin, Mantha, Athanasiou, Bertuzzi) and others still in the early stages of development (Evgeny Svechnikov, Michael Rasmussen, Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, Taro Hirose). Yzerman might look to package one or two with other assets for a young defenseman.

Yzerman, like Holland before him, will at least move veterans on expiring contracts for draft picks at the trade deadline, assuming the team is out of playoff contention. The list includes Howard, Mike Green, Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley.

Yzerman apprenticed under Holland for four years, and while he appears more willing to take chances, there are some philosophies both share. One of them seems to be player development and entitlement. Holland believed in “over-ripening” prospects in the AHL, not handing them jobs based on draft position.

Yzerman appears to feel the same, which explains in part the signings of Filppula and Nemeth. Some would argue Zadina, Svechnikov and Dennis Cholowski should be on the team regardless of performance and develop in the NHL while taking their lumps. Yzerman isn’t apt to do that.

Khan continues

Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno registered a goal and an assist in Team Canada’s 4-1 win over Team USA at the World Junior Summer Showcase on Tuesday. After the game, Veleno told DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji that he’s aiming high while holding out hope that he’ll take part in this year’s World Junior Championship:

Since Red Wings development camp ended at the end of June, Veleno said he has remained in the Detroit area, working out and skating with a few other players.

On Saturday, before Team Canada officially arrived, Veleno was in one of the USA Hockey Arena suites and got a chance to talk to general manager Steve Yzerman.

“It’s obviously an honor to be around him, he’s one of the best to ever play the game,” Veleno said. “He knows his hockey. You know when you exchange words with him, you’re kind of a sponge a little bit, take everything he says and that’s what I’m trying to do, from the whole staff, management, from top to bottom, just kind of listen to what they say and try to apply it on the ice.”

While this tournament is considered a proving ground of sorts to help Team USA, Team Canada, Team Sweden and Team Finland select players for their World Junior Championship teams, Veleno would of course prefer to be playing for the Red Wings come December.

“For sure, that’s the main goal,” Veleno said. “I think it’s a good opportunity though as well to kind of show where I am with my own age level. If I’m ready to take that next step in Detroit, obviously they’re all little steps to get there but I think it starts here at this tournament, showing what I can do with all the other prospects. I thought today went relatively well and going to continue getting better here.”

Wakiji continues…

Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno registered a goal and an assist as Team Canada defeated Team USA 4-1 at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI today.

The Detroit News took note of Veleno’s performance…

Veleno scored a power-play goal in the first period at the 12:11 mark with assists to Kirby Dach (Blackhawks) and Nolan Foote (Lightning).

In the second period, Veleno assisted on the first of two goals by Dach at 10:16. Veleno’s linemate, Alexis Lafreniere (projected 2020 No. 1 overall pick), had an assist on Dach’s other goal.

Foote also scored for Canada and goalies Oliver Rodrigue (Oilers) and Hunter Jones (Wild) combined to stop 30-of-31 shots.

Cole Caufield (Canadiens) scored the only goal for the U.S. and goalie Dustin Wolf stopped 18-of-22 shots.

The teams resume play on Wednesday with Canada facing Finland at 1 p.m., and the U.S. playing Sweden at 4 p.m.

USA Hockey posted a quick highlight clip from the game…

Michigan Hockey’s Michael Caples reports that the “Play With Purpose” hockey game will return to USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth on Tuesday, August 16th:

For the third straight offseason, the Play With Purpose Charity Game will be taking place in Metro Detroit for a good cause.

On Aug. 16, some big hockey names will gather at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth for the annual event, put on by Gallagher-Kaiser and presented by Hockey Has Heart.

This year, the event will once again raise money to support distracted driving awareness initiatives with the PEERS Foundation, #HandsFreeMichigan and B.R.A.K.E.S.

“We are excited to once again be part of such a meaningful event,” said Bob Kaiser, owner and CEO of Gallagher-Kaiser. “As a company with a strong commitment to safety, we have continuously supported organizations dedicated to keeping our communities safe, with a primary focus on eliminating distracted driving. The Play With Purpose game provides an opportunity to have a great time with family and friends, while simultaneously raising awareness for a meaningful cause.”

Players already committed to attending include Zach Werenski, Danny DeKeyser, Steve Oleksy and Austin Czarnik, as well as NHL alums Kris Draper, Mickey Redmond, Joey Kocur, David Legwand, Darren McCarty and Tie Domi.

Continued

Per the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe, Shane Berschbach is returning to the Toledo Walleye for the 2019-20 season:

After five seasons with the Toledo Walleye, Shane Berschbach has played an integral role in turning the team into annual ECHL contenders.

Berschbach will be back for another season as the Walleye all-time leader in points, assists, and games played agreed to terms with Toledo for the 2019-20 season.

“I’m ready for another season and I’m excited that it is going to be in Toledo,” Berschbach said. “I played my whole pro career here and I couldn’t ask for a better spot and I’m looking forward to getting back at it.”

Continued

Here’s a short interview with Gustav Lindstrom, who describes his assets to the Grand Rapids Griffins’ YouTube channel:

From Crain’s Detroit Business’s Kirk Pinho:

Henrik Zetterberg, the former Detroit Red Wings forward who retired at the end of the 2017-18 season, has listed his Bloomfield Hills home for sale for $4.6 million. The listing from Hall & Hunter Realtors says the property has five bedrooms and 6 1/3 bathrooms.

The native of Sweden played 1,082 games and racked up 337 goals and 623 assists during his 15-season career with the Red Wings, which began in 2002.

MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a profile of Red Wings prospect Otto Kivenmaki, suggesting that the 5’8,” 154-pound forward will have some sizeable challenges in overcoming his small stature as he aims for the NHL:

Kivenmaki, 19, is among four Red Wings prospects at this week’s World Junior Showcase at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. He is hoping to make Finland’s World Junior team.

“He definitely has natural smarts, he’s got natural ability and for him it’s just going to be, can he be strong enough, can he develop a strong enough core and lower body to able to protect the puck in traffic?” Shawn Horcoff, the Red Wings’ director of player development, said. “Can he develop his legs to get enough speed to get up in the play? I think he’s come a long way since last year. We drafted him at 140 pounds or 145 pounds. He’s put some work in this summer. He’s got a long ways to go, but he really finished the season well. He’s definitely a project and is going to take some time.”

The added weight has helped Kivenmaki protect the puck better.

“I noticed this summer when we had training with my team in Pori that just being in the corners, I wouldn’t fall so easily,” Kivenmaki said. “Obviously, I need to get bigger. I still don’t weigh much compared to the other guys, so there’s still improvement.”

Continued

In the FYI department, from Western Michigan University:

The Western Michigan hockey team and head coach Andy Murray have announced the hiring of Pat Ferschweiler to the position of associate head coach.

Ferschweiler rejoins the Broncos after spending the past four years as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings and one season as an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

“We are very excited to welcome back Pat,” said Murray. “He understands what it means to play Bronco Hockey and his experience in the NHL only adds to his coaching skills he has grown throughout his career.”

Continued

Ken Daniels’ Facebook page offers a few more details regarding the 2019 Celebrity Roast of Mickey Redmond, which will take place on September 7th at the MotorCity Casino, with proceeds benefiting the Jamie Daniels Foundation:

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, and they’re expensive at $150.00, but the event page on the Jamie Daniels Foundation website states the following:

Laugh all night with host Mike “Doc” Emrick and hockey legends Mike Babcock, Scotty Bowman, John Davidson, Marcel Dionne, and Jim Ralph as they roast Red Wings Broadcaster and Hockey Hall of Famer, Mickey Redmond.

The first 200 tickets purchased receive an autographed copy of If These Walls Could Talk, Detroit Red Wings Stories by Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond. Drinks and appetizers included. Proceeds from this event benefit the Jamie Daniels Foundation.