Author: George Malik

My name is George Malik, and I'm the Malik Report's editor/blogger/poster. I have been blogging about the Red Wings since 2006, and have worked with MLive and Kukla's Korner. Thank you for reading!

Justin Abdelkader’s become a ‘hockey dad’

Former Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader told the Local Sports Journal’s Tom Kendra that he’s readjusting to post-hockey life some two years after playing in his last professional hockey game:

Justin Abdelkader now spends a large percentage of his time in an “Uber Dad” role, driving and also coaching his two young sons at hockey tournaments around the state.

And when he’s home? This time of year, he’s usually in the backyard of the family’s suburban Detroit home with a hose in his hand, working on the outdoor skating rink.

“Oh absolutely, I have come full circle,” Justin said with a laugh.

…

Abdelkader played his last competitive hockey game in Switzerland in March of 2023, and since that time has dealt with the often difficult transition for professional athletes back to normal life by going in “100 percent” to his new job as a father.

Abdelkader and his wife, Julie, are expecting their third child in February (a girl).

 His role as dad hasn’t left a whole lot of time for him to reflect on his hockey career but, when he does, he will look back on a journey which featured championships at almost every stop.

Continued

Twitter video: TNT interviews Dylan Larkin

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin spoke with TNT’s hockey panel after Team USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden at the Four Nations Face-Off, looking forward to Thursday’s final between the U.S. and Canada:

Red Wings’ Raymond, Larkin’s ‘Four Nations Face-Off’ was an anticlimactic one

Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond’s meeting in the Four Nations Face-Off was a bit anticlimactic.

Team USA rested several players after Canada’s win over Finland ensured that there would be a USA-Canada final on Thursday, and Sweden earned a measure of redemption going into their last game of the tournament by winning a 2-1 decision on Monday night.

Raymond finished at -1 in 18:37 played, with 2 shot attempts, for Sweden; Larkin finished even in 16:27 played, taking 2 shots, 4 total shot attempts, with 2 hits, 2 giveaways and a 3-and-4 (43%) faceoff record.

The Swedes will disperse to their NHL teams now; the Americans will prepare for the Four Nations Face-Off final vs. Canada on Thursday.

From MassLive’s Lauren Campbell:

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who logged 16:27 of ice time in USA’s loss, is excited about the potential of winning a championship game.

“I was saying to my wife, ‘it’s been a long time since I’ve won something,‘” Larkin said. “I know there’s other guys in here in the same boat. There’s a lot on the line.”

Also from Larkin, from the AP:

Canada watched its four-goal lead cut to one in the final minutes but pulled out a victory over Finland earlier Monday to grab the other spot in the title game. That clinched the rematch of the fight-filled round-robin matchup from Saturday.

“They’re gonna be extremely hungry. They don’t want to lose two to us,” American forward Dylan Larkin said. “I think there’ll be some nerves, but I hope it’s that level that it was in Montreal.”

More from Lucas Raymond about the Four Nations Face-Off, battling Dylan Larkin tonight

Lucas Raymond spoke with DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills regarding playing for Team Sweden at the Four Nations Face-Off…

“The competitiveness has been really high in all of the games, but it’s been really fun and a great atmosphere,” Raymond told DetroitRedWings.com after Sweden’s morning skate at Agganis Arena on Monday. “It’s a really fast game. There’s a lot of skilled players out there, a lot of offense.”

Raymond is fitting right in among the sport’s best on the international stage, especially offensively. Through two tournament games, Raymond leads Sweden with three points (all assists) and a plus-3 rating.

“I feel good body-wise and mind-wise,” Raymond said. “I feel like I’m in a good spot. I obviously feel like I have a lot more not only against the U.S. tonight but continuing with the season back home in Detroit.”

As well as facing off against teammate and friend Dylan Larkin tonight:

“I’m very excited,” Raymond said about facing Larkin. “It’ll be a lot of fun. Obviously, we play with each other a bunch but maybe not as much against each other. I know the type of player he is. You have to be cautious with him and his speed.”

And naturally, Raymond has learned a lot from Larkin during their time together in Detroit.

“Not only on the ice, I think everyone sees the way he battles and competes, but off the ice as well,” Raymond said. “Just being around him, and we’re obviously very close friends. I see how he takes care of himself, which is impressive. His leadership skills are unreal as well.”

Continued

Roughly translated: Lucas Raymond weighs in on facing Dylan Larkin tonight

Expressen’s Adam Johansson spoke with Lucas Raymond ahead of tonight’s match-up between Raymond’s Swedes and Dylan Larkin’s Team USA (8 PM EST start on TNT/TruTV/Max/Sportsnet). First, they discuss a cultural faux pas committed by Larkin during the 2023 Global Series, and then Johansson and Raymond get down to business:

Detroit teammates Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond come together for the first time in their careers facing each other on Tuesday night. The Tre Kronor and the United States are on opposite sides of the ice.

“It’s special. Dylan and I are close to each other and we’ve never met each other [on the ice] before. We’ve been playing on the same line for years, so it will be special to meet now. But once we’re out on the ice, we probably won’t think about it.”

Both are mainstays of the Detroit Red Wings, the team for which Raymond signed an 8-year contract last fall.

“When I signed the contract, I was clear that I wanted to be in Detroit, I want to be there for a long time.”

At the Four Nations Face-Off, however, all his focus is on the Tre Kronor.

“It’s fun to be here. Always special to play for Sweden in this kind of context,” Raymond concludes.

Dominik Shine speaks with ‘the North Wind’ regarding his NHL debut

Grand Rapids Griffins forward and Northern Michigan University alumnus Dominik Shine spoke with NMU’s student newspaper, “The North Wind,” regarding making his NHL debut with the Red Wings earlier this season. Here’s what Shine had to say to Lily Gouin:

“I absolutely loved being a student at Northern and living up there in the U.P. …It can humble you, living through those hard winters. It’s not easy and not for everyone. It makes you a better person, makes you appreciate the little things,” Shine said.

After graduation, Shine signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the minor league team for the Red Wings. This is Shine’s ninth season with the Griffins.

“You have to play a role, just like on any level…it’s a matter of getting in there, playing your game and playing with confidence,” Shine said.

On Jan. 27, Shine got the call that he would be making his NHL debut at age 31 against the Los Angeles Kings. He is the oldest player to make his NHL debut in over 10 years.

Shine has played his whole career here in the State of Michigan, from his time at NMU all the way to the NHL.

“There was a point where I thought I was done completely. You think about your next steps—I was almost ready to take that leap, and I felt proud of what I did. It’s not often you see a guy play eight seasons with the same team. I never felt I would get a chance to play in the NHL, even just for a game, but to get that call that day—it meant the world to me.”

Continued

Tweet of note: Emily Kaplan interviews Dylan Larkin on Saturday night

This was Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin after the 2nd period on Saturday’s 3-1 Team USA victory over Team Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off:

The underrated Antti Tuomisto

Of prospect-related note from Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen:

The Grand Rapids Griffins, the loser in five of their last six games, don’t play again until Wednesday when they are home against Lehigh Valley. Defenseman Antti Tuomisto continues to perform well for the Griffins. He leads all defenseman with 20 points in 43 games. Even with the team struggling, the 6-foot-5 Finn also plus-6 over the past 14 games. He has only had two minus games in his past 14.

Tuomisto’s big and heavy at 6’5″ and 205 pounds, and at 24 years of age, I’m curious as to whether the Wings will give him a shot to make the team at training camp next season as he’s a right-shooting D with size and some snarl.

Tweet of note: Detroit’s ‘mini camp’ begins tomorrow

Just a reminder from Chris Johnston:

The Red Wings and coach Todd McLellan will hold a “mini camp” between Tuesday and Friday, before the team resumes its schedule with back-to-back games against Minnesota on Saturday and Anaheim on Sunday.