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!

Yep, that’s a ‘bold prediction’

NHL.com’s fantasy hockey staff posted a “bold prediction” for every NHL team, and this one certainly fits the descriptor:

Detroit Red Wings: Wing Daniel Sprong will take on the biggest role of his NHL career and lead the Red Wings in goals with at least 35, more than Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat.

Continued; I don’t see it happening, but what do I know?

HSJ: Coach Lalonde wants Ben Chiarot to succeed

The Free Press’s Helene St. James reports that Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde believes that Ben Chiarot’s return from personal leave (his father passed away due to cancer) will reinforce the Red Wings’ lineup:

Chiarot, 32, finished last season with 19 points in 76 games, along with a minus-31 rating. That latter number is ugly, but plus-minus — a stat that gives a point to a player who is on the ice when an even-strength or shorthanded goal is scored, and minus a point if the opponent scores in those situations — isn’t solely reflective of an individual. And Chiarot plays a forceful game, maximizing his 6-foot-3, 232 pound size.

“Beating the Ben Chiarot drum, he is extremely valuable to us,” Lalonde said. “Even last year, I was fielding some questions on some of his underlying numbers to us. I think he is very valuable to us in a lot of ways.

“People are getting away a little bit from that plus-minus. I still think there is some value to it. He was culpable for some of it, but a lot of it was circumstantial.”

Continued

St. James posted a video of Lalonde’s remarks as well:

Preseason pre-game notes from DHN’s Robinson

Amongst Detroit Hockey Now’s Tim Robinson’s pre-game notes ahead of tonight’s preseason game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 PM, NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN+, 97.1 the Ticket):

Tonight’s game is the first of three in a row and four in five nights to wrap up the preseason. The Red Wings are at Pittsburgh on Wednesday, at Toronto on Thursday and wrap up the preseason at home against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. ….

Ville Husso will get his second start of the preseason in net against Chicago. Michael Hutchinson, who’s on a pro tryout contract, will also see action. Sebastian Cossa also is making the trip. …

Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde says Robby Fabbri (upper-body injury) is fine and should be available for Wednesday’s game at Pittsburgh. ….

Continued

Khan/HSJ: Michael Hutchinson hopes to maximize his opportunity to earn a contract in Detroit

MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a profile of Red Wings pro tryout Michael Hutchinson, who’s trying to buck the odds to earn an NHL contract with the team (if not a two-way contract):

“I wasn’t expecting to be in this (PTO) situation,” Hutchinson, 33, said. “It’s nice to come to an organization where I was able to get 30 minutes in the other night and get the chance to play some more minutes tonight. For me it’s just coming here and enjoying every day and not putting expectations on anything. Coming here and doing my thing and whatever happens, happens.”

Hutchinson has appeared in 153 games for five NHL teams (Winnipeg, Florida, Colorado, Toronto and Columbus). He struggled last season with the Blue Jackets (4.21 goals-against average, .877 save percentage in 16 games) but has a career 2.93 GAA and .902 save percentage). He is well-traveled, having played for four AHL clubs as well over the past six seasons.

“As the summer was going on, I wasn’t even sure if I was going to take a PTO or anything,” Hutchinson said. “Just got a call the Monday before camp. Getting the itch to go on the ice, so I figured why not come here. I have an opportunity to get some exhibition game minutes in and I enjoy playing hockey, so I thought it would be a fun opportunity to get back on the ice.

“This offseason didn’t go quite the way (he and his agent) planned it, but it is what it is and you have to keep moving forward. That’s what I’ve been doing my whole career.”

Continued; the Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a video of Hutchinson speaking with the media as well:

Again, let’s be shocked that the Red Wings rank poorly in terms of their ‘top-6 center duos’

I’ve been back from the Traverse City Flu/return bug for all of a couple hours now, and I’m already sick of posting these lists again. Please let me know whether they matter to you…

Because The Athletic’s Harman Dayal ranked “Every NHL Team’s top-6 center duos,” and you should not be surprised that the Red Wings rank “below average”:

Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp

Contracts: Larkin $8.7 million AAV, eight years left; Copp $5.625 million AAV, four years left

Larkin has hovered just shy of the point-per-game mark the last two years. This could be the year he breaks through now that he’s got a linemate of Alex DeBrincat’s caliber. Larkin profiles like an average No. 1 center, but whether it’s Copp or J.T. Compher, the Red Wings are below-average in the second-line center position.

Copp has bounce-back potential as he was returning from abdominal surgery last season, but he was underwhelming, as his usual sturdy defensive numbers fell off a cliff while scoring a modest 42 points.

Long term, Detroit will be leaning on Marco Kasper and/or Nate Danielson to round out the top-six center group.

Continued; etc. etc. etc.

AP previews the Red Wings’ 2023-2024 outlook

The Associated Press posted a capsule preview of the 2023-2024 Red Wings’ outlook for the upcoming season:

LAST SEASON: Finished just under .500 in best season since 2016, the last year the once-proud franchise was in the playoffs, but still ended up in seventh place in the eight-team Atlantic Division. Captain Dylan Larkin had a career-high 79 points and matched a career high with 32 goals. Defenseman Moritz Seider and forward Lucas Raymond were solid in their second seasons. Husso emerged as a No. 1 goaltender.

STRENGTHS: Depth. Hall of Famer and team general manager Steve Yzerman made moves in free agency and via trades to add desperately needed talent at forward, on defense and in goal. The Red Wings potentially have more players with NHL experience than roster spots up front, on the back end and between the pipes. That has not been the case in recent years with the rebuilding team.

WEAKNESSES: Lack of a superstar. Detroit has many solid players and some standouts, but it lacks a dynamic player who can change a game and the chances the franchise can finally make the playoffs. The Red Wings haven’t had a 40-goal scorer since Marian Hossa in 2009. Larkin and winger Alex DeBrincat could potentially pass the benchmark.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Red Wings might have enough talent to end a seven-year postseason drought, which matches the longest in franchise history (1971-77). Yzerman provided a desperately needed dose of hope by acquiring DeBrincat from Ottawa in July and signed him to a four-year extension worth about $7.8 million annually. While Detroit may have a better record than it did a year ago, the Motor City might have to wait at least another year to experience playoff hockey again.

Continued

Tweets of note: Detroit and Chicago’s rosters for tonight’s preseason game (8:30 PM on NBCSCH, ESPN+, 97.1 FM)

Here are the rosters for tonight’s game between the hometown Chicago Blackhawks and the Red Wings (8:30 PM EDT on NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN+ and 97.1 FM):

Tweet of note: Fabbri to return to play Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh

Per the Detroit Red Wings and Carley Johnston: