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 bit more about the Stadium Series rink build at Ohio Stadium

NHL.com’s Craig Merz posted an article about the Stadium Series rink build at Ohio Stadium earlier this afternoon, and this evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets website’s Jeff Svoboda continued the narrative:

“It’s pretty awe-inspiring when you come in here, just the history of the building and the volume of people that are going to be in here,” said Mike Craig, senior director of hockey operations and facilities operations for the NHL. “You kind of look ahead a little bit to that atmosphere, and we’re very excited to be a part of that.”

Craig and fellow senior director of hockey operations and facilities operation Derek King met with the media Tuesday to show off work that’s taken place so far, and to discuss what’s to come. Around 100 people will be involved to get the venue ready for the game next Saturday night, with work taking place each day to get everything where it needs to be.

On Tuesday afternoon, workers were installing the decking on the stadium playing surface that will serve as the base layer for the rink and accompanying field design. Over the next two days, more infrastructure work will take place, including running the piping from the NHL’s Mobile Refrigeration Units outside the stadium to the ice surface that will keep it cold and ready.

Then, on Friday, things will really start to take shape with the ice surface, including the installation of the dasher boards and the start of the ice-making process. That will continue over the weekend; on Monday, the ice will be painted white, with rink lines and logos set to be places Tuesday. By next Friday, when the teams get to take the ice for practice, everything should be ready to go and the crew will use that time to fine-tune any changes that need to be made.

“Practice day for the teams is practice day for us,” King said.

Considering this is the 43rd outdoor game staged by the league since the Heritage Classic on Nov. 22, 2003 in Edmonton, the NHL has honed its methods over the past two decades.

“Since we started in 2003 and then 2008 (with the first Winter Classic), it’s progressed a long way,” Craig said. “Just like anything, we learn as we go, and we’ve learned and grown as a crew and are open to all different ideas. There’s always room for improvement, whether it’s a different addition to the truck or within our system of how we control things. We touched on the weather and how we adapt to all that. We learn from those lessons, and I think we’re in a really good spot and are really comfortable with where we are.”

Continued

Tuesday, the Red Wings began to prepare for the stretch run

The Red Wings opened what is essentially a 4-day “mini training camp” on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena, as the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan noted…

[Red Wings coach Todd] McLellan wants to use these four days before the Wings host Minnesota this Saturday as a mini training camp, with an emphasis on installing more schemes and a heavy dose of conditioning. Tuesday’s practice was a copy of that plan, with an eager group of players.

“They’re excited about being back here,” McLellan said. “They are not video or meeting fatigued anymore because they haven’t had it for eight days. We were able to spend time showing them video from our time here rather than Los Angeles Kings clips (McLellan’s previous team) to show our point. We can show them Red Wings clips now, which is a positive.”

Knocking some rust off was important, said McLellan, while also being mindful of injuring groins after so much time away from the ice.

“We got better conditioned and got our legs going, but we did it with a purpose, a game purpose,” McLellan said.

There was a palpable excitement about being back. And with only 27 games left in the season and the Wings holding a playoff spot, there is plenty to play for.

“It was nice to get away,” Kane said. “You know in the back of your mind you have 27 games left and they’re huge games to get into the playoffs, so you try to leave all that here and enjoy the time away.”

And Kane continued while speaking with 97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield:

For Kane, big games this season remain on the horizon. The Red Wings will return to action Saturday, occupying the second wild card spot in the East and eyeing their first playoff berth in nine years. Kane craves the feeling of anticipation before a playoff game, the nervous energy in the dressing room, “the intensity, the atmosphere from the crowd,” the euphoria of a win when the season is on the line. The three-time Cup winner has a few more thrills to chase, in the red, white and perhaps the blue.

“The rest of the year in here we have something to shoot for,” said Kane. “You’re shooting for the playoffs to have those type of feelings and play in those big games.”

Red Wings’ Tyler Motte hosts a special 10-year-old at Tuesday’s practice

The Michigan Chronicle’s Amber Ogden reports that the Red Wings had a special visitor at a Tuesday’s practice:

For 10-year-old Scott Hart, hockey has been more than just a sport it’s been a calling. What started as a childhood challenge to out-skate a figure skater at Campus Martius has quickly evolved into a relentless pursuit of his NHL dream. And today, that dream took a giant leap forward.

Scott, a rising star in the Detroit Ice Dreams hockey program, was invited to attend a Detroit Red Wings practice at Little Caesars Arena. As Scott and his parents watched from the stands, his favorite Red Wings player, forward Tyler Motte, skated onto the ice for practice. It was already surreal for Scott, but the best surprise was yet to come.

“Giving back to the community is important to me,” Motte said.

“Being from Michigan and playing for the youth hockey programs around Detroit. It means a lot as kids watch practice games that you look up to, not just players like me, but our leadership.”

Scott’s eyes widened with disbelief and excitement as Motte approached him in the stands. The following 20 minutes flew by in a whirlwind of slap shots, a special Red Wings jersey, and Saturday afternoon game tickets. After practice, Scott enjoyed an exclusive locker room tour, snapping photos and excitedly sharing the experience with his family.

Scott’s favorite thing about today, outside of meeting his favorite player, is the practice and how the Red Wings worked hard because that is what he does.

“I’m so happy to go to the game,” Scott said.

Continued

Kane, Lyon and coach McLellan weigh in on the Four Nations Face-Off

As noted earlier, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane spent part of his vacation watching the Four Nations Face-Off, and Kane and his teammates spent most of their post-practice availabilities discussing the tournament, as noted by 97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield…

Last time USA and Canada met in a best-on-best tournament, in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Kane was on the ice for the Stars and Stripes. And the time before that, in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. And the time before that, in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when Sidney Crosby broke the Americans’ hearts with a golden goal in one of the greatest games in the history of hockey’s best rivalry. When USA and Canada clash again for the 4 Nations title Thursday night in Boston, Kane will be in the strange position of watching from afar.

“It’s tough,” he admitted. “You definitely want to be there and you feel like you’re missing out on some great hockey and a great opportunity, too. It is what it is. Personally, you start looking back, I mean, we missed nine years of it, right? The first four, five, six years of those nine years were some of my best hockey I’ve played in my life. So obviously you think about those opportunities that were missed, whether it was the ’18 Olympics or ’22 Olympics or not having the World Cup at all.

“But it is what it is. I had my opportunities. I was there in 2010 and lost in overtime in the Gold Medal game, 2014 we had a really good team, too, we were right there, and got to play in the 2016 World Cup, too. Obviously you want as many opportunities as possible, but you see the type of hockey this is and the excitement it brings, seems to me like it’s the best way to grow the game. It’s unfortunate it’s been nine years.”

After the 2016 World Cup — where the U.S. flamed out with an 0-3 record in group play — the NHL wouldn’t send its players to another international tournament until this one. The 4 Nations has been a smashing success, with TV ratings that match the high level of play. The USA-Canada classic was the most-watched non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast in six years, and the championship game might outdo it. It will certainly be on in Kane’s house.

“As much as you’re a player and you love playing the game, I’m still a fan of the game,” he said. “I’ll definitely be on my couch that night tuning in and paying attention.”

And Kane continued while speaking with Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen…

Continue reading Kane, Lyon and coach McLellan weigh in on the Four Nations Face-Off

Patrick Kane would rather be at the Four Nations Face-Off

The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton reports that Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who was left off Team USA’s Four Nations Face-Off roster, missed being able to participate in international best-on-best play:

Patrick Kane has a strong claim to being the greatest American hockey player ever.  Now, as men’s international best-on-best hockey has returned in high gear with the 4 Nations Face-Off, Kane is watching as a fan, instead of representing his country on the ice.  The reason for that isn’t too complicated.  As Kane put it after today’s Red Wings practice (the team’s first since taking a week off for the international break),  “I think this year I didn’t play well enough to be picked for the team, so it’s not like I’m blaming anyone or anything besides myself.”

Still, it’s not easy for a proud and accomplished player to watch from afar, given his extended history at being in the center of the sport’s biggest moments.  “It’s tough,” Kane said Tuesday, when asked about not being part of the team representing the United States for the 4 Nations.  “I mean, you definitely want to be there and you feel like you’re missing out on some great hockey and great opportunity too. It is what it is. Personally…you start looking back, I mean we missed nine years of it, right? So, those first four, five, or six years of those nine years were some of the best hockey I’ve played in my life, so obviously you think about those opportunities that were missed.”

Of course, while Kane wanted to be playing in this event, it hasn’t stopped him from enjoying the spectacle as a fan, joking about how “[I was] in Cabo there, and it’s sunny out, and I’m sitting in the hotel room watching hockey.”

Continued

Belated Tweets from Tuesday’s practice: Back to work!

The Red Wings returned to the ice at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center for a “mini training camp” today….

Ahead of facing the Minnesota Wild this Saturday at LCA (12:30 PM EST start on ABC/ESPN+/97.1 FM). Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that this weekend’s set of back-to-back games begins with a doozy:

Coach Todd McLellan’s team resumed practice today in preparation for Saturday’s matinee game against the Minnesota Wild (12:30 p.m. , ABC). The game is already sold out. The Wild have won five of their last seven.

The Wings’ beat writers Tweeted out practice updates:

Continue reading Belated Tweets from Tuesday’s practice: Back to work!

NHL begins ‘Stadium Series’ rink build

NHL.com’s Craig Merz reports that the NHL has begun building the rink at Ohio Stadium ahead of March 1st’s Stadium Series meeting between the Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets:

Eighteen degrees with a wind chill of eight are not optimum conditions, but for workers at Ohio Stadium on Tuesday the weather was a reminder that something special is afoot.

They were laying the floor decking over the field of college football’s reigning national champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, preparing for the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings on March 1 (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS-D, FX-CA).

“The next few days, until Friday, we’ll be kind of putting all the piping together, putting down the floor, putting down the dash of boards,” NHL senior director, facilities operations Derek King said. “The glass will go in, then we’ll start making ice Friday night. That’s kind of a seven-day build for us, and we’d like to be ahead of schedule. Practice day for the teams (March 28) is practice day for us, so really, it’s paying attention to those finer details.”

The mobile refrigeration units arrived in Columbus on Monday and are parked on the east side of the stadium. While the media toured the operation, a forklift was unloading crates of coolant that will be used to get the ice in prime playing condition.

Mike Craig, who holds the same title as King, gave the ideal conditions for the game.

“If we could [get] a lot of cloud cover throughout the day and sitting at about 32 degrees, it’s great for us,” Craig said. “We can control whatever we need to out there. It’s very comfortable for the fans that come and just make it a great experience.”

Continued, with a time-lapse video of the progress made thus far…

Dylan Larkin’s breaking through at the Four Nations Face-Off

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis praises Dylan Larkin as Team USA’s “secret weapon” during the Four Nations Face-Off:

Just about every night, he’s been consistently near the top in most notable advanced categories. According to SportContract, Larkin has an expected goals-for percentage of 64.0 and a Corsi-for of 56.5 percent. He’s doing it while averaging 14:29 a night, too. Larkin has two points in three games, with both coming against Canada to help USA earn a berth in the final. His 78 percent Corsi-for percentage against Sweden, though – USA’s lone loss – was equally as impressive.

But two things you can’t quantify on a scoresheet that make him vital to USA’s success are his speed and his work ethic.

It can be difficult to mold an all-star team together, especially with USA boasting some of its best depth ever seen. When Larkin made the team, it was to play a role. He was a good fit because he’s energetic and looks to make opponents accountable every time they touch the puck. Larkin isn’t the flashiest most skilled guy and not necessarily the one who’s going to score that huge goal in the dying seconds when you need it most. But you can throw him into any situation and feel confident about him, and that’s what you need in a showcase event like the 4 Nations Face-Off.

If you watch Detroit closely, none of this is surprising. Of course, you want your team’s players thriving in an event like this, but the numbers don’t lie – Larkin has made a positive impact. When NHL scouts talk about what they want to see from top prospects, they often to point to someone like Larkin – a guy who can score, but also do the dirty work needed to win. You spend more time away from the puck than with it, and Larkin truly makes an impact away from it.

Let’s keep it simple: When Larkin is on the ice, the puck generally makes it to the opponent’s zone. More often than not, Larkin has made the United States more difficult to play against. There was no better example of that than his game against Canada, with Larkin’s goal proving to be the game-winner. Larkin was arguably USA’s best player against Sweden in a game where the team wasn’t close to being fully healthy.

For good measure, Larkin has yet to be on the ice for a goal against, either.

Continued