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!

A little Chicago chemistry might help Detroit’s power play

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff wonders aloud whether former Chicago Blackhawks Alex DeBrincat, Erik Gustafsson and Patrick Kane can rediscover the power play chemistry which they displayed from their time in Chicago:

During the 2018-19 season, that trio were linchpins on a potent Chicago Blackhawks power play that was clicking at 20.17%. Kane led the Blackhawks in scoring that season with 44 goals and 110 points. DeBrincat was third on the club with 41 goals and 76 points. Gustafsson would enjoy a career year. He wound up with 17 goals and 60 points.

On the power play, Kane was contributing nine goals and 30 points. DeBrincat would account for a team-high 13 power-play goals. Gustafsson put up 4-14-18 numbers when Chicago was enjoying the man advantage.

Two years ago, none of the three were Red Wings. Now that they all are, that chemistry they possess on the power play is already surfacing even during training camp drills.

“Gus does find a way of transporting the puck from the blue line and giving Patrick some time,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “He seems to find a way to bring it to the sweet spot. So there is some chemistry between those three.”

It’s one of the reasons why when defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was opting to take his power play expertise elsewhere in the summer, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was setting his sights on acquiring UFA Gustafsson.

“He runs a great power play,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said.

Continued; the Red Wings are indeed hoping that Gustafsson can rekindle some chemistry with Kane and DeBrincat, and they’re hoping that he can establish some chemistry with the Red Wings’ other power play performers, too.

Lucas Raymond, ‘regression candidate?’

ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie discusses players who are candidates to “regress” this upcoming season in a subscriber-only article, and it is no surprise that Lucas Raymond’s exceptional 2023-2024 season has him squarely in Doerrie’s crosshairs:

Lucas Raymond
F, Detroit Red Wings

Shiny new contract in hand, Raymond should find himself glued to Dylan Larkin this season. However, it is entirely unreasonable to expect a player to replicate a 19% shooting percentage season, when his career mark prior to last season was 12.6%. Raymond is likely around a 14% shooter, and is still developing his NHL scoring toolbox. The model’s projection has his production remaining similar overall, with a reduction in goal scoring and increase in assists.

This is likely to be the first season where he is a defensive focal point, facing tougher matchups. Playing on the top line with Larkin and Alex DeBrincat should result in elevated scoring opportunities for Raymond, but he is not the primary shooter on that line. He will be relied upon to retrieve pucks, create off the rush and play a two-way role.

To replicate his 31 goals last season at a 14% shooting percentage, Raymond would need to record 222 shots, a 36% increase in shot production and an average of 2.7 per game. His goal production is expected to decrease to the mid-20s, but his assists are expected to increase to nearly 50. He’s projected for 74 points this season, which is more than respectable for a fourth-year player.

Continued (paywall); this is not exactly Raymond’s first season as someone who teams attempt to shut down as a “defensive focal point,” and while I’m not certain whether he’s going to post another 30+-goal season, I think that he’ll find a way to remain an integral part of the Red Wings’ attack. Fear not.

HSJ in the morning: Berggren hopes to establish himself as a two-way player

The Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses Jonatan Berggren’s status as playing on an $850,000, “prove it” contract this season, with the 24-year-old Berggren looking to emerge as a player who can be relied upon both offensively and defensively:

“I feel like this is the year for me to prove that I can belong in this league,” he said during training camp in Traverse City. “My focus is just coming in with a great attitude and show them what a player I am and how big a summer I had.”

Berggren, the No. 33 pick in 2018, already has demonstrated he can score in the NHL: 15 goals in 67 games in 2022-23, which stoked expectations he had earned a job with the Wings going into last season. But that wasn’t the case: Berggren appeared in just 12 NHL games (two goals, four assists) in 2023-24, otherwise demoted to the minors, where he posted 56 points in 53 games while being asked to improve the defensive side of his game.

“I felt like when I got the chance, I did pretty good,” Berggren said. “I was an offensive threat and had a couple points.  I know I can be an offensive player here, so just take care of the defense and the rest will come later. That’s my main focus. 

“I just have such a hunger to show them that I can be a good player in this league. I need to put in the work and show them I can be a player they can trust.”

…

“It’s going to be a work in progress,” [Red Wings coach Derek] Lalonde said. “Those guys that have offensive IQ, those guys that want to produce offense their entire career, it’s an evolution of understanding what’s important – when to take chances in their game. He’s had some success in this league, we know he can create offense, but just like everyone else, we are going to ask a little more of that team game.”

Continued; the affable Berggren is easy to cheer for, but it’s apparent that the Wings’ coaching staff (and possibly management) are concerned about his ability to play a strong two-way game, probably alongside Joe Veleno and Tyler Motte on a checking line.

Given Veleno’s relative success last year, and Motte’s status as a checking force, “Johnny Burgers” finds himself in a spot where he should receive help in establishing himself as a relied-upon player.

‘Kane feels able’ as the 2024-2025 season approaches

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed an early-evening notebook which discusses Patrick Kane’s decision to re-sign with the Red Wings, his first full summer’s worth of training since his hip resurfacing surgery, and more:

“How close we were last year, and just looking back on the season,” Kane said, “there’s things you think about when you’re potentially signing a new contract, there were some great moments for me personally and for the team and the excitement around the team.”

Not having trained as thoroughly as he would have preferred the two previous summers because of pain in the hip, Kane was thrilled to resume regular hockey offseason training this summer. Kane is optimistic the summer of vigorous training will help him further on the ice.

“It was nice,” Kane said. “A few summers ago, you were doing a lot of rehab and trying to look for any kind of relief. This year was more about, more resistance (training), more weight behind the exercises, more whole body and not just focused on the hip. It was nice to go to the gym and feeling good and getting ready to work and train as hard as you can, as an athlete.”

Kane’s patience and ability to slow down the game, [teammate Alex] DeBrincat said, are things Wings players can absorb. Kane’s chemistry with DeBrincat picked up where they left off in Chicago, providing the Wings with a needed offensive threat.

“The way (Kane) plays, you try to look at how he plays,” DeBrincat said. “He creates so much, so you try to take some of that same stuff and put it in your own game. But he’s pretty special, so you can’t take too much. You take what you can and let him do the rest.”

Continued (paywall), with discussion about the Four Nations Cup:

“It’s kind of in the back of your mind a little bit, but I don’t think it’s anything you’re really thinking about right now,” Kane said. “You think about getting ready for the season and having a good camp and being ready as possible for the start of the season. There’s a lot of good players, a lot of good forwards, Larkin and DeBrincat included. We’ll see what happens. It’s a privilege and honor to play for Team USA. You want to be on those (national) teams, but I guess we’ll see how it all shakes out. It would be an honor to represent my country, especially in those big tournaments like the Four Nations and the Olympics.”

Tweets of note: Red Wings, Griffins and Walleye potpourri

Among an assortment of “Free Advertising” and regular Tweets from the Red Wings, Griffins and Walleye today:

Continue reading Tweets of note: Red Wings, Griffins and Walleye potpourri

Tweet of note: The NHL Network discusses whether the Red Wings might earn a playoff spot

The NHL Network’s Jamison Coyle and Stu Grimson discussed whether the Red Wings might be able to earn a playoff spot this upcoming season:

Sebastian Cossa, fantasy hockey ‘stash away’ player

The Score’s Kyle Cushman provides a list of players to “stash away” using inactive spots in fantasy hockey “keeper leagues,” and he includes Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa on his list:

Sebastian Cossa, G, Red Wings

Yaroslav Askarov and Jesper Wallstedt have been popular goaltenders to stash in recent years, so how about a different option?

The Red Wings have a bevy of goaltenders on the NHL roster, which will likely prevent Cossa from getting reps this season. But patience is key, especially for netminders. Ville Husso and Alex Lyon are impending free agents, which should free up a spot for Cossa by 2025.

The 6-foot-6 former first-round pick is coming off of a very strong AHL campaign and will almost certainly get a shot to take the starting gig in Detroit in the next 12-18 months. If you believe in the Yzerplan, Cossa is a worthwhile goalie to stash.

Continued; Cossa’s really developed into a strong prospect, and he’s still got some rough edges to him, but he’s doing a fine job of working with Red Wings developmental goaltending coach Phil Osaer and Griffins goalie coach Roope Koistinen to sand down those edges.

A bit about the Red Wings’ hosting of Special Olympics Poly Hockey athletes during training camp

The Red Wings sort of let this one slide under the radar, but on the first day of training camp, Dylan Larkin, Justin Holl, Christian Fischer and Jeff Petry hosted a group of Special Olympics athletes at the end of the first day of training camp.

The Ilitch Companies’ News Hub shared the story thereof (as well as a photo gallery from the event):

On September 19, the Detroit Red Wings hosted the second Special Olympics Poly Hockey Celebration, presented by Gallagher, in an effort to grow the game of hockey within Michigan’s disabled community. A select number of Special Olympics Poly Hockey athletes and their supporters were invited to Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City to view a Detroit Red Wings training camp practice as VIP guests.

Following the practice viewing, the athletes participated in a hockey skills clinic where Red Wings players surprised the athletes with an equipment donation. The prospects were joined by current players Dylan Larkin, Justin Holl, Jeff Petry and Christian Fischer. Gallagher also made a monetary donation for Special Olympics to purchase additional equipment for all 600+ Special Olympics Poly Hockey athletes in Michigan.

Continued; it’s good to hear that the Red Wings continue to bring inclusiveness to their hockey activities, regardless of whether they’re in Detroit or Traverse City.

Edvinsson is finding his way

MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a profile of Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson this afternoon, discussing Edvinsson’s weight gain, coach Derek Lalonde’s impression of the young defenseman, and #77’s own observations as to how the last few months of the 2023-2024 season unfolded:

After appearing in 54 games with the Griffins and the disappointing end of the season in Detroit, Edvinsson returned to Grand Rapids and got his first taste of AHL playoff action (six games).

“A lot happened for me the last two months,” Edvinsson said. “A lot depending on every game. It was just great experience. I think I know how hard it is to grab a playoff spot, and I know what it is that’s needed from the whole team and from me personally to really grab extra points at the end. End of the season, I felt good. I felt confident.”

He has a comfort level with Petry.

“We have really good connection on the ice and off the ice, complement each other pretty good,” Edvinsson said. “We go to dinners, do stuff together. We’ll probably go out fishing (during camp). It’s just those small things that gives you a good connection with your partner.”

He has learned to not try to do too much and play simple.

“Just don’t try to be the hero of the game,” Edvinsson said. “Opportunities are going to come to you. I’m going to play strong, and if the opportunity (comes) for (offense), I’m going to take it.”

Continued (paywall); Edvinsson is IMMENSELY talented, but he’s got a bit of an oversized, “I can do it all myself!” hockey ego, and he’s starting to learn how to be patient instead of trying to do everything himself. That shows tremendous maturation on his part, and that’s good news.

Regarding defensive pairings and the Seider-Edvinsson pairing

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff wonders aloud whether the Red Wings might reunite the Moritz Seider-Simon Edvinsson pairing at some point during the exhibition season:

“I still think our top four, even some of our D pairs, will be fluid,” [Red Wings coach Derek] Lalonde said. “Probably like to see Simon and Mo together a little bit.”

Seider, the sixth player chosen in the 2019 NHL entry draft and Edvinsson, chosen sixth overall in 2021, are going to be the cornerstones of the Detroit defense going forward. And Lalonde appears ready to cement that status sooner rather than later.

As Edvinsson prepares for his first full season in Detroit, the coach is opening up the opportunity for him to be one of the players driving the bus for the Red Wings.

“I see him in a top four (role) and we’ll kind of let it play out from there,” Lalonde said of Edvinsson. “Hopefully, he can even eat minutes. If he’s got it going one night we might be a little fluid with our top four. If he earns more minutes, he’ll get more minutes. We’re going to play to win and if he is the guy that earns those minutes to help us out down the stretch, he’ll get those minutes.”

To start out with, it’s likely that Detroit’s top two defensive pairings will look the same as what finished out last season. Seider will be with Ben Chiarot and Edvinsson with Jeff Petry. However, that, much like the TV listings, will be subject to change,

“Benny and Petry have had some experience together,” Lalonde said. Chiarot and Patry were a tandem during Montreal’s drive to the 2021 Stanley Cup final.

Continued; exhibition games are the time when coaching staffs can tweak defensive pairings with no adverse consequences in terms of points lost, so expect a significant amount of experimentation starting Wednesday night.