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!

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.

Qualified praise for Trey Augustine and Max Plante (sort of)

DobberProspects’ JP Gambatese offers a slate of observations regarding NCAA prospects who’ve impressed over the course of the college hockey season thus far, and he includes Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine on his list…

With an honorable mention to fellow Wings prospect Max Plante:

Detroit Red Wings – Trey Augustine (G)

The Red Wings have a two-headed monster between Augustine and Sebastian Cossa in their goalie pipeline. He’s undersized for a current NHL goaltender at 6-1, but he is as composed as any goalie you will ever watch. He rarely gets frazzled and is more content sitting back in his crease and letting the play come to him than becoming aggressive and having to recover. Augustine is particularly strong when seeing pucks through screens and hugging the posts when called upon. He isn’t as athletic as perhaps you’d like to see from a smaller goalie, but he is more controlled than most and can keep play to the outside rather than allowing rebounds to hit the center of the ice for another grade-A chance against. 

23 Games Played: 15-5-3 | .926 SV% | 2.07 GAA | 2 SO

Honorable Mention: Max Plante (LW) – Plante is an excellent playmaker and a hard worker, but some concerns may limit his ceiling as an NHLer, predominantly his skating. His top speed is below average, his acceleration is subpar, and his edgework is ordinary for a player under six feet tall. His shot, while not a detriment to his game, isn’t a huge threat, but his passing work and hockey sense make up for it. Plante often finds himself in the right place at the right time and has an outstanding balance of understanding of the game and the ability to get into open space. I could see him becoming an offensively oriented third-line complementary winger in the big leagues, but I don’t think his skating ability allows for much more growth than that. 

13 Games Played: 6 G / 10 A / 16 TP / 4 PIM / 46 SOG / 13.0 SH%

Continued; players can always learn to skate better, if they really work on it…

Praise for Emmitt Finnie’s strong season in the WHL

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis discusses 10 NHL prospects who are impressing in the WHL this season, and Kamloops Blazers captain Emmitt Finnie makes Ellis’ list:

Emmitt Finnie, C (Detroit Red Wings)

Team: Kamloops Blazers

The Red Wings built a reputation in the 90s and early 00s for finding talent in the later rounds of the NHL Draft. Is Finnie – a seventh-rounder in 2023 – next on the list? The 6-foot-1 forward had a solid 59-point season a year ago, but he’s on pace for just under 100 in his fourth season with Kamloops. When he was drafted, he was more of a depth player who just got lost in the shuffle. Now, he’s an energetic forward who has dominated Kamloops’ scoring race and he rarely makes a bad mistake while in a battle. Many scouts think his scoring won’t translate to the NHL – he’s not overly deceptive or anything – but he’s got the work ethic you’d want from someone who can be a nice depth producer, and that’s great from a player taken 201st overall.

Continued; I don’t know whether Finnie’s going to be an NHL scorer, or more of a middle-of-the-lineup player, but the young man’s speed and work ethic are particularly impressive.

He’s dominated on a middling Kamloops team, and there is at least potential there for a second-line player who can “blaze” up the middle of the ice at full speed, even when he has the puck on his stick. He just doesn’t slow down for any thing or any one.

On Sweden’s stakes and Larkin vs. Raymond

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses the situation for Sweden going into tonight’s game between the Swedes and Team USA (8 PM EST start on TNT/Max/TruTV/Sportsnet)…

The 2-0 Americans are locked into Thursday’s final of this NHL best-on-best tournament. Canada, Sweden and Finland are all deadlocked with two points. Each has a chance to be the other finalist.

However, if either Canada or Finland win their 1 p.m. game in regulation time, then that country will earn the other spot in the final. Sweden would be eliminated.

The Swedes need the Canada-Finland game to go to overtime. Then if they beat the USA in regulation, it would be a Sweden vs USA final.

As well as the match-up between Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond:

“Proceed with caution with him,” Larkin said. “We want to win and you want to play well, but he’s my buddy and you look out for him and smile.”

Raymond admitted he’s pondered the notion of what might be if he and Larkin end up in a board battle for the puck.

“I don’t know what I’ll do if I see him in the corner next to me,” Raymond said. “But it’ll be a good time.”

Dylan Larkin reflects on his game-winner over Team Canada, prepares to face off with Lucas Raymond

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin spoke with DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills regarding scoring a goal and adding an assist in Saturday’s 3-1 Team USA win over Canada at the Four Nations Face-Off:

“It’s still settling in,” Larkin told DetroitRedWings.com on Sunday afternoon. “It was a big goal for our team and honestly, kind of cool to say for our country and USA Hockey. It felt great to contribute to the win like that on a stage like that. A big game with all the big players, so it was really special. It’s something I’m proud of and will be for a long time.”

For Larkin, having his family on hand to share the moment at Bell Centre made his highlight-reel goal that much more memorable.

“My family means the world to me,” Larkin said. “To have that moment and see them, and for my wife to be there as well, is just so special. My family has helped me all along the way. They’re my biggest supporters and fans. I know my dad, mom, brother and wife were just beaming with pride and that’s really everything to me. It was such a cool moment.”

Larkin, who recorded his first points of the 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday, is averaging 13:46 of ice time through the first two games of the tournament. The 28-year-old forward said he’s enjoyed every aspect of the international event so far and is eager for what lies ahead.

“It’s been a great experience,” Larkin said. “Even off the ice, getting to know the guys and being on a big stage like this, then on the ice it’s been unbelievable. Honestly, I knew it was going to be high paced, fast and intense but it’s really been the next level in terms of the speed and skill of the players. It’s been everything I thought it was going to be and more, but then again, it’s something I’m really fortunate to be part of.”

Larkin also told Mills that he’s ready to renew acquaintances with his friend and Red Wings teammate, Lucas Raymond, as the Americans will battle Sweden on Monday night (8 PM EST start on TNT/TruTV/MAX/Sportsnet):

“I can’t wait to see him,” Larkin said about Lucas Raymond, who leads Sweden with three points (all assists) in two tournament games. “I haven’t talked to him, which is rare, and I miss him. I can’t wait to play against him. We’ve talked about it a lot leading up to this tournament. With the speed and skill of these games, they’ve been so intense, those guys are going to want to win and try to get into the championship. It’s going to be another big game, and [Raymond] is a big-game player, so we’re going to have to watch out for him. I don’t think I’ll be giving too many of his secrets away. I’ll probably keep those for myself and try to shut him down.”

Video: Red Wings Alums raise funds for veterans charities in ‘Patriot Classic’

The Red Wings Alumni came to Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, MI to raise funds for veterans charities in the “Patriot Classic.”

Fox 47’s Will Lemmink reports:

On Sunday, Detroit Red Wings Alumni took the ice with PGA professionals to raise money for three veteran organizations: PGA HOPE, Spike’s K9 Fund, and Folds of Honor.

George Bowman, who organized the event, said the passion behind putting it together was clear.

“It’s right there—we got golfers, we got hockey players, we all love to do both, so we get to do both of our passions and raise a ton of money for charity,” Bowman said.

Despite the cold weather, Bowman noted that the turnout was a testament to the community’s dedication.

“You know, Red Berenson, 85 years old, drove all the way from Ann Arbor in this weather to come play. I mean, that speaks volumes to what we’re doing.”