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!

Quick profiles of Red Savage and Trey Augustine ahead of NCAA puck drop

NCAA Division I hockey gets underway this Friday, and the Lansing State Journal’s Nathaniel Bott posted a set of profiles of Michigan State University’s 2023-2024 season roster:

Red Savage, 5-11, 185, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz. (Miami Ohio): Savage arrived at MSU this summer out of the transfer portal after two seasons at Miami and having played for the US National Team Development Program before that. He totaled 30 points in two seasons with the RedHawks. He was fourth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2021 after getting 68 points in two seasons with the USNTDP.

Trey Augustine, 6-1, 179, Fr., South Lyon (USNTDP): Augustine, who was one of the best goaltenders in USNTDP history, begins his freshman campaign as the Spartans’ clear-cut No. 1 in net. Augustine, who was committed to Michigan before flipping to MSU, posted a 2.13 goals against average and .926 save percentage while only losing one game in regulation last season. He also played a key role in helping Team USA to a gold medal at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship in May. Augustine will likely have a lot on his shoulders, but the Spartans believe his experience shows he’s ready for the moment.

Continued; Augustine chose to go to MSU because former Red Wings assistant coach Adam Nightingale is the coach.

Prospect round-up: Liam Dower Nilsson scores 2 more goals for Bjorkloven

Of Red Wings prospect-related note today:

In the Swedish Allsvenskan, Liam Dower Nilsson scored 2 goals on 3 shots, finishing at -1 in 12:39 played as IF Bjorkloven won 5-2 over Vasteras:

In the Swedish J20 league, Noah Dower Nilsson is recovering from shoulder surgery, and his Frolunda HC lost 6-1 to Malmo;

Tonight, in the OHL, Kevin Gibson’s Soo Greyhounds will host the London Knights;

And in the WHL, Nate Danielson’s Brandon Wheat Kings will host the Swift Current Broncos.

Allen, Khan: Joe Veleno attempts to add offensive ‘pop’ to his game

Red Wings forward Joe Veleno scored two goals in last night’s preseason loss to Chicago, and Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen took note of Veleno’s remarks to the media regarding his attempts to revise and edit his game:

Veleno clearly understands he needs to increase his offensive production. But when he talked to the media Tuesday morning, it wasn’t about improving on last season’s 20 points. It was being a better all-around player.

“I think all areas of the game,” Veleno said. “I definitely want to take another step forward, improve on being better defensively. Obviously like to produce more than I did last year. Overall, just taking a bigger step in my overall game and being better in all situations.”

In other words, he’s not going to be less defensive to improve offensively . It’s about finding a balance.

“What I mean by producing more is just being in better spots on the ice, being in better positions in the offensive zone, getting to those hard areas and getting a couple of extra goals in front of the net,” Veleno said. “Obviously, I don’t want to cheat the game. By all means it’s not my style of game. I definitely want to be on the right side of the puck and being strong defensively. I guess being good defensively will transition to more touches with the puck. Being better in my zone will lead to better offense.”

When it comes to creating offense, Veleno’s plan is “getting more puck touches in general.” That’s probably the path to earning a move to a scoring line or some time on the power play. Veleno has the skill to accomplish those objectives.

Continued

Update: Here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan:

Veleno likely will start the season as the fourth-line center. Potential linemates include Klim Kostin and Christian Fischer, whom he has practiced with at times.

“I think we’re a pretty big line and can definitely use our size as an advantage,” Veleno said. “We also could bring a little bit of skill. Klimmer and Fisch … they got some hidden talent in there. We’re a line that can wear teams down in the offensive zone and cycle the puck and be strong on the puck.”

Like with all young players trying to establish themselves in the NHL, the 23-year-old Veleno must develop consistency.

“Joe had a real good camp last year and good start to the season,” Lalonde said. “Sometimes we ask so much of these young guys with where we are in our process with our organization — probably ask more of these guys than some other organizations — and I think you see a little tired play when you get to the middle or end of the season. It’s on (Veleno) to have a really good start and to sustain it.”

Press release: Red Wings release Artem Anisimov from his pro try-out

Per the Red Wings:

DETROIT RELEASES ARTEM ANISIMOV FROM PROFESSIONAL TRYOUT 

  … Red Wings Continue Preseason Slate with Road Game Against Pittsburgh Tonight at 7:00 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena; Game Available on DetroitRedWings.com and 97.1 FM …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today released forward Artem Anisimov from his professional tryout.

The Red Wings currently have 53 players on their training camp roster: 30 forwards, 16 defensemen and seven goaltenders. Currently at 3-2-0 through five preseason games, Detroit continues its preseason schedule with a road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight (Wednesday, Oct. 4) at 7:00 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena. The game will be streamed live on DetroitRedWings.com and air on 97.1 FM.

Mills’ game-day notebook: Wings’ preseason work continues vs. Pens

DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted a game-day notebook ahead of tonight’s exhibition game between the Red Wings and Penguins (7 PM EDT on SportNet Pittsburgh, DetroitRedWings.com, 97.1 the Ticket):

The Red Wings opened a stretch of three preseason road games in as many days Tuesday, falling to the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2. Joe Veleno scored two goals and goalies Ville Husso and professional tryout Michael Hutchinson combined to turn aside 30 of 33 shots in the loss.

“(Tuesday’s game) put some of our young D in a vulnerable position being on the road against a predominantly NHL lineup,” Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde said. “But that’s one of the positives about the preseason.”

Although the Red Wings will dress two different lineups amidst this busy three-day stretch, Lalonde said the coaching staff continues to deliver a consistent message to the club’s expanded roster.

“Just manage it,” Lalonde said. “We have two teams going, so a couple guys will get some back-to-backs. Message still hasn’t changed. We’re going to keep working on some things in our game.”

Daniel Sprong is projected to play against the Penguins, and the 26-year-old forward said he has been impressed by the Red Wings’ depth this preseason.

“We’re a deep team,” said Sprong, who signed a one-year deal with Detroit this offseason. “I don’t think it’s just the forwards. If you look at our back end and goalies, we’re a deep team. It reminds me a lot of Seattle last year, where we had depth on all four lines. I think any four lines and our D can step up and make a difference every game.”

Tweet of note from Khan: injury updates regarding Carter Mazur, Matt Luff

Per MLive’s Ansar Khan:

Mazur has a “lower-body injury,” and Luff probably dislocated his shoulder.

Tweets of note: Red Wings, Penguins’ rosters for tonight’s preseason game

Here are the Red Wings and Penguins’ rosters for tonight’s preseason game in Pittsburgh (7 PM EDT on SportsNet Pittsburgh, DetroitRedWings.com and 97.1 the Ticket):

Alex Nedeljkovic will play the entire game for Pittsburgh, while James Reimer will play sixty minutes for Detroit.

FYI: