All posts by 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!

Tweets from Wednesday’s practice: Red Wings shuffle D pairs without Edvinsson; Larkin skating as an ‘extra’ ahead of Friday’s home opener

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Updated 4x at 12:01 PM: The Detroit Red Wings took to the ice at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center ahead of Friday’s home opener vs. the New York Rangers (6:30 PM EDT start on TNT)…

If you missed it, both Expressen and Aftonbladet confirmed that Edvinsson has returned to Gothenburg, Sweden to practice with Frolunda HC of the SHL…

Meanwhile…

Continue reading Tweets from Wednesday’s practice: Red Wings shuffle D pairs without Edvinsson; Larkin skating as an ‘extra’ ahead of Friday’s home opener →

Shapiro weighs in on the downfall of the Yzerplan

The multi-talented Sean Shapiro of EliteProspects/DLLS Stars/Shap Shots offers a theory as to where the Detroit Red Wings’ problems began over the course of the Yzerplan this morning, via his Shap Shots Substack blog.

According to Shapiro, the noticeably absent Chris Ilitch hasn’t helped, but not having an assistant GM who challenged Yzerman, such as Julien Brisebois in Tampa Bay, afforded Yzerman too much autonomy to stick with his gut and make his own decisions:

In Tampa, BriseBois pushed and internally battled Yzerman. As one source put it, BriseBois wasn’t afraid to battle Yzerman and that attitude led to mutual respect, where the Lightning GM had a right-hand man he trusted to protect him and advise him. Yzerman never had that in Detroit.

Yzerman arrived as a larger-than-life figure, someone who’s playing career overshadowed anything and everyone in the organization, and with so many former players, that Yzerman captained, on staff, no one ever challenged the general manager.

Yzerman didn’t ask for advice, and he tried to do so many things himself. It’s too big of a job for one person, and without someone on staff, like he had in BriseBois in Tampa, pushing and challenging for a bigger piece of the pie, Yzerman was basically acting alone in many factors.

One agent told me that when Yzerman was in Tampa, there was mutual respect for contract negotiations between both Yzerman and BriseBois. In Detroit, the agent said he never spoke to anyone other than Yzerman, no matter how big or small the deal was.

In fact, Yzerman’s demeanor and downfall in Detroit, is something I’ve been told that other GMs have taken notice of and learned lessons from. Mathieu Darche, the New York Islanders GM, for example, hired Evan Gold, one source said, because he wanted an assistant GM that wasn’t afraid to push him and challenge him.

Continued (paywall) with some interesting takes on Chris Ilitch and his unwillingness to do interviews…

Wyshynski weighs in on the Red Wings’ ‘mess’

ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski predicts the “order of finish” for each and every one of the NHL’s 4 divisions, and he’s particularly harsh upon the Red Wings’ 2026-2027 season outlook:

Detroit is a mess. Captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade … and as punishment Detroit made him continue to play for the Red Wings with fewer responsibilities, taking away the captaincy. They’re grinding 23-year-old defenseman Simon Edvinsson in a contract negotiation. Worst of all, the franchise had to finally admit the “Yzerplan” was a failure, as franchise icon Steve Yzerman left the general manager’s office after seven playoff-less seasons.

The Red Wings have a few reasons for hope, such as defenseman Moritz Seider, winger Lucas Raymond and a prospect pool that’s filling up but without any franchise-level talents.

In the long term, maybe the plan is hoping the Hughes brothers all want to play close to their Michigan roots when Jack is a free agent in 2030. In the short term, there’s speculation about who’s leaving next after Larkin is dealt, and does his name rhyme with “Alex DeBrincat?”

Continued; the Wings are a mess right now, but not all is lost yet.

Roughly translated: Frolunda HC’s players are happy to practice with restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson

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As previously noted, Expressen reported that Simon Edvinsson is back in Sweden practicing with HC Frolunda in Gothenburg, as confirmed by TSN…

And first reported by Goteborgs-Posten’s Andreas III Johnssonen…

And Edvinsson did share some comments with Aftonbladet’s Henrik Lundgren:

“I would have liked to raffle his salary.”

GOTHENBURG. Simon Edvinsson is back in Gothenburg when the situation is locked with Detroit.

The Frölunda players would of course like to see him return.

“I would have liked to start lining up for his salary. But we’re probably too few guys on the team,” Nicklas Lasu said, laughing.

He went out at Frölunda’ practice. Not only because the 199-centimeter tall hill is half-a-head taller than most others, but also because he had to pick up what was available in the practice clothing pile in Frölundaborg. With white sweater, red shorts and white pants, Simon Edvinsson was a mix of most things.

“It’s great to have him here. He looks great, ready to play hockey. I understand that it is frustrating for him when it is difficult to negotiate, especially now that the real games are getting started. But it’s great that he wants to be here, good for us also that he’s involved and spars,” says Frölunda captain Max Friberg.

Edvinsson himself did not want to talk about his situation, but was happy to train with his old team.

“It’s really good speed for them. They are unbeaten.”

When asked how long he stays, he was silent.

‘”We’ll see.”

Continue reading Roughly translated: Frolunda HC’s players are happy to practice with restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson →

McIndoe says the Red Wings must start well, or else

The Athletic’s Sean McIndoe suggests that 10 teams need to start very well this upcoming season, lest things go south, and McIndoe includes the Detroit Red Wings on his list:

Detroit Red Wings

The starting point: After missing the playoffs for a tenth straight year, the Red Wings embarked on the league’s most bizarre offseason. Dylan Larkin demanded a trade, Steve Yzerman held his ground, and then Yzerman was fired and replaced by … look, they’re working on it. But with Simon Edvinsson still unsigned and Alex DeBrincat needing an extension, the Wings front office looks like a ship without a rudder. And fans around the league are gleefully lining up to kick the team while it’s down.

If they start poorly: Blow it up. Blow it all up. This team is hopeless, and the GM should trade everyone over the age of 25. You know, after they get around to finding an actual GM. But yeah, definitely get Larkin out of here for whatever you can, because that’s a better option than putting him in the lineup to get torn to shreds by the home crowd.

If they start well: We all remember that this is a young team that had 92 points last year. And we start wondering what kind of Larkin boost they might be about to get — either from a trade, or from the former captain himself returning to the lineup with the mother of all chips on his shoulder.

Early schedule: Not bad. None of their first four opponents won a postseason game last year, and they make it all the way to November before they face playoff teams in back-to-back games. They’re also at home for seven of the first eight, which should be good for everything other than Larkin’s ego.

Continued (paywall)

Morning Khan, St. James: Red Wings’ lineup will begin with Raymond-Copp-DeBrincat line

MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the shape of the Red Wings’ top line this morning, with Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat to skate on the same line regardless of whether their center is Andrew Copp or Dylan Larkin…

“We have plans,” McLellan said. “You know how that goes. It changes instantly. And just deal with what we have right now and what’s in front of us.”

DeBrincat and Raymond gives the Red Wings two high-volume shooters on the same line. The DeBrincat-Copp-Kane line was the team’s most effective the second half of the season.

“(DeBrincat) lost his comfort with Kaner not being there,” McLellan said. “So, that’s the first thing we’re going to look at is how’s the new chemistry with different linemates? I think Kaner and Razor play the game differently. We were looking to try to keep a pair together — Copper and DeBrincat — and what would complement it? We looked at Razor. They’re arguably our best scorers, and they’re going to be on the ice a lot, so let’s see what they can do together first.”

Continue reading Morning Khan, St. James: Red Wings’ lineup will begin with Raymond-Copp-DeBrincat line →

Dan Cleary steps into a new role as the Grand Rapids Griffins’ GM

Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan Cleary spoke with the Grand Rapids Griffins’ media corps about his new role as the Griffins’ GM yesterday…

And Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff took note of Cleary’s remarks:

“New role for sure,” Cleary said in an interview on the Griffins YouTube page.

New duties? Somewhat, but not really. In recent seasons, you couldn’t go to Grand Rapids and not run into Cleary. Van Andel Arena was his second home. He could often be found donning his skates and helping out as the team practiced.

“I’m very familiar with the surroundings and the people who do business around here,” Cleary said. “And certainly all the players and the coaches.”

The difference is, now he’s the man in charge. Cleary is filling the role left by Horcoff when he was promoted to take charge of the big club’s hockey operations.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Cleary said. “I’m super excited.”

…

If anyone has a question, or is questioning where they fit within the organization, Cleary promises that he’ll be the answer man.

“I’m a very black and white guy,” Cleary said. “I don’t really live in the gray area. So if you need to know where you stand or what you can do to help you get better, I’m certainly the guy to come and ask.  I want these guys to be able to speak to me freely. I told them, I’m here to help you guys achieve your goals.”

Roughly translated: Simon Edvinsson returns to Sweden to practice with Frolunda HC

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According to Expressen’s Adam Johansson and Mattias Persson, Red Wings restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson’s back in Sweden, practicing with his “parent team”:

Simon Edvinsson trains with Frölunda – agent’s response

Simon Edvinsson’s contract negotiations with Detroit have been stalled.

Now the 23-year-old has turned home to Gothenburg – to train with Frölunda.

“It takes as long as it needs to take,” said Peter Werner.

Simon Edvinsson, who finished his third NHL season and thusly his first contract this past spring, is back home in Sweden. On Wednesday morning, Sportbladet reported that he had started training with his former team, Frölunda, again.

Details confirmed by Edvinsson’s agent Peter Werner.

“Since the season has started, he can’t train in Detroit now, and the best place to be best prepared when it kicks off for Simon with games again is to be home in Gothenburg.

Has Edvinsson contacted Frölunda and Fredrik Sjöström himself?

“We are the ones who have contacted Frölunda.

“Simon needs somewhere to prepare for the season, and Frölunda has been helpful and friendly to let him for be involved for the moment and train.”

Continue reading Roughly translated: Simon Edvinsson returns to Sweden to practice with Frolunda HC →

Press release: Grand Rapids Griffins recall Tag Bertuzzi and Nolan Moyle from Toledo

From the Grand Rapids Griffins:

GRIFFINS RECALL TAG BERTUZZI, NOLAN MOYLE FROM TOLEDO

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday recalled forwards Tag Bertuzzi and Nolan Moyle from the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.

The Griffins will begin the AHL’s regular season this Friday when they travel to Rocket Arena to face the Cleveland Monsters.