Author: George Malik

Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and coach Derek Lalonde spoke with the media after the Red vs. White Game:

MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an article discussing Ville Husso’s status as the Red Wings’ goaltender, and the ways in which the team hopes to give him another 50-55 starts without burning him out this upcoming season:

“We plan on using him in a similar amount of games,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “It just felt like last year we pushed him into some games because of where we were with what we weren’t getting out of some of our depth at that position. I think we knew we probably overused him, maybe took him beyond his threshold. We have a plan on what the season will look like. It’s probably a day-to-day thing, but we foresee him (in) the 55, 56-58 range. Hopefully, we can manage it a little bit better than we did last year in the volume of when and where.”

That means managing the schedule better.

“How many games a week, smart about rest days,” Lalonde said.

Husso was the Red Wings’ most valuable player for much the season, the main reason they briefly climbed into a playoff position on Feb. 23. He was 23-13-5 with a 2.85 goals-against average and .907 save percentage at that stage.

After a pair of blowout losses in Ottawa prompted general manager Steve Yzerman to sell at the trade deadline, Husso wasn’t himself the final few weeks, going 1-6-1 with a 4.32 GAA and .839 save percentage.

“At the end I think I wasn’t on the level I wanted to be and needed to be,” Husso said. “The start of the year was good and I got to get a good start this year, too.”

Continued

Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon asks “unanswered questions” for the Atlantic Division’s 8 teams as the preseason approaches, and here’s what he has to say, I mean, erm, ask, about the Red Wings:

Detroit Red Wings: Are they still the second-worst team in the Atlantic? 

For the second consecutive off-season, the Wings brought in veteran players with the intention of improving right now. And, to be fair, there’s little doubt Detroit is moving in the right direction. 

However, the tough dynamic in the Motor City is it doesn’t feel like the team is yet ready to overtake any of the established playoff squads in the Atlantic, while the two teams just slightly ahead of them in the standings — Buffalo and Ottawa — appear more likely to make a leap forward based on an abundance of high-end talent. 

It’s entirely plausible the Wings will be a tough out this year; it’s just not clear how much ground — if any — they’ll actually gain in a tough division. 

Continued

The Hockey News’s Jason Chen posted a fantasy hockey preview for the Atlantic Division’s teams today, and he discusses whether each of the 8 teams are “trending up” or “trending down,” and which players might serve as fantasy hockey “hidden gems”:

Detroit Red Wings

Trending: Up?

There are still a ton of questions to be answered as the Yzerplan hits a pivotal inflection point. 

The Red Wings made a huge acquisition for a top-line goal scorer in Alex DeBrincat (42nd) and splurged yet again in free agency. There are a ton of new faces and some good talent, but how does it all come together? Of the teams in the Atlantic, the Wings have the broadest range of outcomes.

A breakout season from Lucas Raymond (136th, potential sleeper pick), getting Moritz Seider (184th) back on track to elite banger-league status (65th in banger rankings) and more consistency from Ville Husso (191st) will surely put them in the playoff picture. On the other hand, there’s a chance the roster just never comes together with too much crowding on the wings and blueline for anyone to really find their rhythm, and Husso is altogether unreliable. Other than DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin (38th), the Wings cannot be relied upon in fantasy.

Hidden Gem:

If taking a shot at a risky Wings player isn’t your thing, David Perron (167th) is about as reliable as anyone gets. He’s been remarkably consistent throughout his career, and you’re guaranteed to get around 50 points, 200 shots and 100 hits. He’s a multi-category contributor who will definitely be available in the later rounds, providing really great fantasy value, especially in banger leagues.

Continued; Perron posts 20-25 goals and about 50 points a season. He is indeed a safe bet.

So, it went well?

That was unusual. The 6-4 Red win over Team White = hiccuppy.

Shootouts, 3 on 3, 4 on 4, power plays and PK, only 20 minutes of "real hockey." It was essential for practice but not so entertaining for a real scrimmage.

And prayers for Luff!

— George Malik (@georgemalik) September 24, 2023

You can watch again here. And I hope that Matt Luff is okay, but I heard he was in a sling after suffering what is suspected by fans to be a separated shoulder.

Of Red Wings prospect-related note:

In the DEL, Kevin Bicker blocked a shot and finished even in 7:16 as the Lowen Frankfurt lost 2-0 to the Straubing Tigers;

In the Swedish J20 league, Maximilian Kilpinen posted an assist in Modo Hockey’s 3-2 OT loss to Djurgardens IF;

And Noah Dower Nilsson’s Frolunda HC lost 5-1 to Sodertalje SK.

Here is the stream link for the Red vs. White Game, which starts at 12 PM EDT:

You can also follow along statistically on PointStreak.

Red Wings color commentator Mickey Redmond spoke with WDIV Local 4 News this morning regarding an alumni game slated to take place between the Detroit Red Wings’ Alumni and the Boston Bruins’ Alumni on 2 PM this upcoming Saturday, September 30th at Big Boy Arena in Fraser, MI:

Here’s more from WDIV’s Kayla Clarke:

This year’s event will help several local charities. Tickets can be purchased online and start at $25 for general admission and go up to $250 for VIP.

The Detroit Red Wings alumni roster includes the following: Kevin Miller, Drew Miller, John Ogrodnick, Darren McCarty, Larry Murphy, Jiri Fischer, Jakub Kindl, John Blum, Rick Zombo, Danny Dekeyser, Mickey Redmond, Darian Hatcher, Dino Ciccerelli, Jimmy Howard, Mike Knuble, Eddie Mio, Brent Fedyk, Reed Larson, Dwight Foster, Red Berenson, Todd Bertuzzi and Chris Chelios; Coaches – Nick Libett and Dave Lewis; Trainer – John Warton.

The Boston Bruins alumni roster includes the following: Andrew Alberts, Bob Sweeney, Bruce Shoebottom, David Shaw, Frank Simonetti, Guy Larose, Ken Hodge Jr., Pat Leahy, Reggie Lemelin, Tim Sweeney, Terry Virtue, John Damrath, Ken Linesman, AL Pedersen, John Wensink, Bryan Smolinski, Cam Stewart, Kraig Neinhuise, Steve Shields, Rick Middleton and Joe Mullen; Coaches – Fred Ahern and Greg Malicke.

EP Rinkside’s Victor Nuno discusses Fantasy Hockey “real life vs. fantasy value” for several prospects today, including Red Wings prospect and University of Denver junior Shai Buium:

Shai Buium, LHD – Detroit Red Wings: It’s easy to understand the appeal of Shai Buium. He’s a 6-foot-3, extremely mobile defender. The Detroit Red Wings took him in the second round in 2021 where he put up over a half point-per-game in the USHL. In his past two seasons at the University of Denver, he has been an important part of a really good NCAA team. The Pioneers won the NCAA title in 2021-22 and Buium played nearly 20 minutes a night for them, dominating the Corsi For battle.

Buium sure seems like he will be an NHLer, adding to an already stacked blue line for the Red Wings, but I don’t think he will be so valuable in fantasy. Looking at his Hockey Prospecting, it would be a statistical anomaly if he scored over 0.45 points per game in his career. Additionally, the Red Wings blueline is quickly filling up with offensive players – further blocking his path to those minutes. 

This might be a good player to move off of your fantasy team for someone with more upside.

Continued; Buium is probably going to become a strong two-way, middle-pair defender if he does in fact make the NHL.

The Red Wings’ social media team challenged their players to make golf chip shots in the stairwell at Centre ICE Arena:

Fore!#DRWTC pic.twitter.com/myDMGctLg0

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 24, 2023