Author: George Malik

As noted earlier, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane spent part of his vacation watching the Four Nations Face-Off, and Kane and his teammates spent most of their post-practice availabilities discussing the tournament, as noted by 97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield…

Last time USA and Canada met in a best-on-best tournament, in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Kane was on the ice for the Stars and Stripes. And the time before that, in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. And the time before that, in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when Sidney Crosby broke the Americans’ hearts with a golden goal in one of the greatest games in the history of hockey’s best rivalry. When USA and Canada clash again for the 4 Nations title Thursday night in Boston, Kane will be in the strange position of watching from afar.

“It’s tough,” he admitted. “You definitely want to be there and you feel like you’re missing out on some great hockey and a great opportunity, too. It is what it is. Personally, you start looking back, I mean, we missed nine years of it, right? The first four, five, six years of those nine years were some of my best hockey I’ve played in my life. So obviously you think about those opportunities that were missed, whether it was the ’18 Olympics or ’22 Olympics or not having the World Cup at all.

“But it is what it is. I had my opportunities. I was there in 2010 and lost in overtime in the Gold Medal game, 2014 we had a really good team, too, we were right there, and got to play in the 2016 World Cup, too. Obviously you want as many opportunities as possible, but you see the type of hockey this is and the excitement it brings, seems to me like it’s the best way to grow the game. It’s unfortunate it’s been nine years.”

After the 2016 World Cup — where the U.S. flamed out with an 0-3 record in group play — the NHL wouldn’t send its players to another international tournament until this one. The 4 Nations has been a smashing success, with TV ratings that match the high level of play. The USA-Canada classic was the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast in six years, and the championship game might outdo it. It will certainly be on in Kane’s house.

“As much as you’re a player and you love playing the game, I’m still a fan of the game,” he said. “I’ll definitely be on my couch that night tuning in and paying attention.”

And Kane continued while speaking with Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen…

The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton reports that Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who was left off Team USA’s Four Nations Face-Off roster, missed being able to participate in international best-on-best play:

Patrick Kane has a strong claim to being the greatest American hockey player ever.  Now, as men’s international best-on-best hockey has returned in high gear with the 4 Nations Face-Off, Kane is watching as a fan, instead of representing his country on the ice.  The reason for that isn’t too complicated.  As Kane put it after today’s Red Wings practice (the team’s first since taking a week off for the international break),  “I think this year I didn’t play well enough to be picked for the team, so it’s not like I’m blaming anyone or anything besides myself.”

Still, it’s not easy for a proud and accomplished player to watch from afar, given his extended history at being in the center of the sport’s biggest moments.  “It’s tough,” Kane said Tuesday, when asked about not being part of the team representing the United States for the 4 Nations.  “I mean, you definitely want to be there and you feel like you’re missing out on some great hockey and great opportunity too. It is what it is. Personally…you start looking back, I mean we missed nine years of it, right? So, those first four, five, or six years of those nine years were some of the best hockey I’ve played in my life, so obviously you think about those opportunities that were missed.”

Of course, while Kane wanted to be playing in this event, it hasn’t stopped him from enjoying the spectacle as a fan, joking about how “[I was] in Cabo there, and it’s sunny out, and I’m sitting in the hotel room watching hockey.”

Continued

The Red Wings returned to the ice at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center for a “mini training camp” today….

Good to be back! pic.twitter.com/dyLDfKgp0n

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 18, 2025

Ahead of facing the Minnesota Wild this Saturday at LCA (12:30 PM EST start on ABC/ESPN+/97.1 FM). Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that this weekend’s set of back-to-back games begins with a doozy:

Coach Todd McLellan’s team resumed practice today in preparation for Saturday’s matinee game against the Minnesota Wild (12:30 p.m. , ABC). The game is already sold out. The Wild have won five of their last seven.

The Wings’ beat writers Tweeted out practice updates:

Red Wings back from break. Obviously no Dylan Larkin, and unsurprisingly no Lucas Raymond yet either pic.twitter.com/ILXGk257QT

— Sam Stockton (@_samstockton) February 18, 2025

#RedWings return to practice following 4 Nations break, minus of course, Larkin, who’s playing in Thursday’s title game, and Raymond, who’s getting some time off. Next game is Saturday at home vs. Minnesota (12:30, ⁦ABC). pic.twitter.com/oHquZXCmMc

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) February 18, 2025

NHL.com’s Craig Merz reports that the NHL has begun building the rink at Ohio Stadium ahead of March 1st’s Stadium Series meeting between the Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets:

Eighteen degrees with a wind chill of eight are not optimum conditions, but for workers at Ohio Stadium on Tuesday the weather was a reminder that something special is afoot.

They were laying the floor decking over the field of college football’s reigning national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, preparing for the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings on March 1 (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS-D, FX-CA).

“The next few days, until Friday, we’ll be kind of putting all the piping together, putting down the floor, putting down the dash of boards,” NHL senior director, facilities operations Derek King said. “The glass will go in, then we’ll start making ice Friday night. That’s kind of a seven-day build for us, and we’d like to be ahead of schedule. Practice day for the teams (March 28) is practice day for us, so really, it’s paying attention to those finer details.”

The mobile refrigeration units arrived in Columbus on Monday and are parked on the east side of the stadium. While the media toured the operation, a forklift was unloading crates of coolant that will be used to get the ice in prime playing condition.

Mike Craig, who holds the same title as King, gave the ideal conditions for the game.

“If we could [get] a lot of cloud cover throughout the day and sitting at about 32 degrees, it’s great for us,” Craig said. “We can control whatever we need to out there. It’s very comfortable for the fans that come and just make it a great experience.”

Continued, with a time-lapse video of the progress made thus far…

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis praises Dylan Larkin as Team USA’s “secret weapon” during the Four Nations Face-Off:

Just about every night, he’s been consistently near the top in most notable advanced categories. According to SportContract, Larkin has an expected goals-for percentage of 64.0 and a Corsi-for of 56.5 percent. He’s doing it while averaging 14:29 a night, too. Larkin has two points in three games, with both coming against Canada to help USA earn a berth in the final. His 78 percent Corsi-for percentage against Sweden, though – USA’s lone loss – was equally as impressive.

But two things you can’t quantify on a scoresheet that make him vital to USA’s success are his speed and his work ethic.

It can be difficult to mold an all-star team together, especially with USA boasting some of its best depth ever seen. When Larkin made the team, it was to play a role. He was a good fit because he’s energetic and looks to make opponents accountable every time they touch the puck. Larkin isn’t the flashiest most skilled guy and not necessarily the one who’s going to score that huge goal in the dying seconds when you need it most. But you can throw him into any situation and feel confident about him, and that’s what you need in a showcase event like the 4 Nations Face-Off.

If you watch Detroit closely, none of this is surprising. Of course, you want your team’s players thriving in an event like this, but the numbers don’t lie – Larkin has made a positive impact. When NHL scouts talk about what they want to see from top prospects, they often to point to someone like Larkin – a guy who can score, but also do the dirty work needed to win. You spend more time away from the puck than with it, and Larkin truly makes an impact away from it.

Let’s keep it simple: When Larkin is on the ice, the puck generally makes it to the opponent’s zone. More often than not, Larkin has made the United States more difficult to play against. There was no better example of that than his game against Canada, with Larkin’s goal proving to be the game-winner. Larkin was arguably USA’s best player against Sweden in a game where the team wasn’t close to being fully healthy.

For good measure, Larkin has yet to be on the ice for a goal against, either.

Continued

From the Red Wings:

Per the Detroit Red Wings:

Update: The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a clip of Kane, Lyon and coach McLellan’s comments as well:

Per Pro Hockey Rumors’ Brennan McClain:

Although a formal announcement never came from the team, the Detroit Red Wings reassigned youngsters Marco Kasper and Elmer Söderblom to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before the 4 Nations Face-Off break for cap-related reasons. As expected, the AHL transactions site confirms Kasper and Söderblom have been returned to the NHL roster.

It’s been a tale of two seasons for Kasper during his first full year in the NHL. The Innsbruck, Austria native only mustered two goals and seven points through the first 35 games with an -11 rating averaging 14:06 of ice time per night. His possession metrics were uniquely good (approximately 50.0% CorsiFor% at even strength) for a poor possession team like Detroit, however, his 3.8% shooting percentage had many wondering if he should return to AHL Grand Rapids to continue developing.

New head coach Todd McLellan moved Kasper to the first line in early January and the former eighth overall pick has run with the opportunity. He’s scored seven goals and 13 points in his last 15 games for Detroit playing next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond with his shooting percentage jumping off the page at 23.3% in that stretch. Kasper has inarguably benefited from being next to the Red Wings’ top two forwards but his newfound confidence could prove a boon to his overall development.

Söderblom has primarily been relegated to AHL minutes this season having received his call-up in mid-January. The physically imposing 6’8″, 246lbs Sweden has added more size and offense to the Red Wings bottom-six throughout the call-up with two goals, three assists, and 20 hits in nine games.

HockeyNews.se’s Linnea Andersson spoke with Peter Forsberg regarding his impressions of Team Sweden’s 1-and-2 record at the Four Nations Face-Off, and Forsberg gave praise to a member of the Red Wings:

The Four Nations Face-Off is over for Sweden.

Peter “Foppa” Forsberg has been impressed by a Swedish duo – and says that one of them has grown into a superstar.

The Tre Kronor will finish third in the group, with as many points as Canada, after a 2-1 victory against the United States last night. Canada continues because of head-to-head wins, and for Sweden, the tournament is over.

Peter “Foppa” Forsberg has watched the tournament in person, and he chooses to pay tribute to a particular player – Lucas Raymond.

“He’s grown up and become a superstar of sorts. He’s not afraid of a nickel, anywhere on the ice. He’s taking the ice for himself. He doesn’t look who’s coming in behind him, he’s driving on. He does good things, he comes from outside the corners,” Forsberg said.

Forsberg thinks Raymond was lined up and used properly during the tournament. Having Raymond in a line together with Joel Eriksson Ek is something that the hockey icon likes to see.

“Eriksson Ek helps him. He takes his defensemen on target and stands in front. He’s obscuring when Lucas shoots, and then Lucas can do his things a little further out in the corners. Then Joel gets to stand there in front and blue paint and hold on. I think they fit great together, even though they may not have scored 100 goals this tournament, they have created offense,” says Forsberg.

In Detroit, Raymond has averaged one point per game. In total, there were three assists from Raymond in the tournament.

“This player we will get to benefit from in the Swedish national team for a good many games after this,” Forsberg said.

Via Paul Kukla of Abel to Yzerman: Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discussed the Red Wings’ potential pursuit of Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard, as suggested by Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson, and I’m in the “not gonna happen” category:

Why Savard To Detroit Isn’t Likely To Happen

Savard is a top-four defenseman and Detroit isn’t going to want to break up the Moritz Seider-Ben Chiarot and Simon Edvinsson-Albert Johansson top-four pairings that have proven so effective during the club’s hot streak. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes reportedly desires a first-round draft choice in exchange for Savard. Yzerman won’t be paying that price.

Traditionally, Yzerman also isn’t a GM who looks to trade for rental players. As much as the Red Wings want – perhaps even need – to make the playoffs this spring, Yzerman isn’t going to be looking to make a short-term move that will have a negative impact on his long-term plans for the team.

Continued