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!

Nedeljkovic and Greiss, fantasy hockey ‘persona non grata’

ESPN’s Victoria Mataiash examines the fantasy hockey impact made by the past week’s worth of trades and free agency moves, and she suggests that fantasy hockey poolies avoid the Red Wings’ goaltenders at all costs:

Alex Nedeljkovic, G, Detroit Red Wings: This is a tough one. Small sample size, sure, but Nedeljkovic still presents as a gifted and skilled NHL goaltender capable of shouldering a heavy workload. No 20-plus gamer bettered his league-leading 1.90 GAA and .932 SV% for Carolina in 2020-21. But the rebuilding Red Wings remain a ways from winning more games than they lose. Thomas Greiss ain’t no slouch either and he only won eight of 34 appearances this past season. Anyone starting in Detroit’s crease should be avoided in fantasy leagues where victories carry significant weight. For now.

Continued

Luke Witkowski returns

Good signing here:

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today signed defenseman Luke Witkowski to a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/Oh8FE7P10S— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 29, 2021

Signed to Standard Contract
Luke Witkowski (RW, RD) | DET#LGRWhttps://t.co/OpxmkQTiKM— CapFriendly Transactions (@CF_Transactions) July 29, 2021

Update: Here’s the Wings’ press release on Witkowski and Renouf:

Continue reading Luke Witkowski returns

Red Wings reacquire Dan Renouf as a free agent

Bringing back a familiar face:

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today signed defenseman Dan Renouf to a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/hRGbZHMefH— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 29, 2021

The #LGRW signed 27 y/o LD Dan Renouf to 1 year Contract:

NHL $850K
Minors $325K
Guarantee $375K

3P in 18GP for #GoAvsGo last year, 3P in 5 AHL GP

Rep’d by Todd Reynolds @uptownhockey https://t.co/XUGkrFP4BW— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 29, 2021

Sportsnet’s Bourne offers ‘two sentences’ on the Wings’ Gagner and Suter signings

Sportsnet’s Justin Bourne wrote two sentences regarding every free agent signing made yesterday, including a couple made by the Wings:

Sam Gagner, RW, Detroit
Contract: One year, $850,000 AAV

Smart player here, and you need guys with NHL experience around as you try to turn the metaphorical container ship around in the canal. No harm done on a one-year agreement.

…

Pius Suter, C, Detroit
Contract: Two years, $3.25 million AAV

This is a good bet on potential upside for a rebuilding team on the cheap. You need a few things to break your way to get back to great, and it’s not impossible Suter becomes a real contributor.

Continued

Griffins sign forward Jon Martin

The Grand Rapids Griffins have signed a depth forward to an AHL-only deal in one Jon Martin, a 6’2,” 215-pound grinder…

UPDATE: The Griffins have signed Jon Martin to a one-year AHL contract. Martin has played in 200 AHL games with Tucson and San Jose. #GoGRG

More info >> https://t.co/Yf9vosQSvI pic.twitter.com/8XjjwwiK3R— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) July 29, 2021

Darren Helm heads to Colorado

Bummer:

Darren Helm signs 1 year, $1 million in Colorado.— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 29, 2021

Helm has been in Detroit for 14 years and won a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings. He can play center or wing and had eight points in 47 games last year. https://t.co/VWPoBmS9JV— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 29, 2021

I can confirm the reports that Darren Helm is coming to the #Avs on a one-year deal worth $1 million.— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 29, 2021

Darren Helm, signed 1x$1M by COL, is a bottom six defensive forward. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/fTkyKS5D8p— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 29, 2021

I really thought Darren Helm would be a Red Wing for eternity— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) July 29, 2021

Longest-tenured #RedWing moving on. https://t.co/F2OMYSfMcu— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 29, 2021

Update: Here’s Khan in text form:

Continue reading Darren Helm heads to Colorado

Allen: Suter’s looking out for #2

Updated 3x at 2:51 PM: Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that new Red Wings center Pius Suter hopes to slide into the Wings’ #2 center slot behind Dylan Larkin:

The Detroit Red Wings haven’t said specifically that they intend to play Pius Suter as their No. 2 center. But that’s his plan.

“That should be my goal and is my goal,” the Swiss forward said Thursday in his introductory press conference with the media. “I have to, in the training camp and games, perform.  I have to make sure the coach gives me a chance and then I have to prove myself.”

The Red Wings have Dylan Larkin coming off injury, and there has no information of where he is at in his recovery. Michael Rasmussen is penciled in as the No. 3 center. Before the Red Wings persuaded Suter to sign a two-year deal for $3.250 million per season, the plan for the No. 2 center was either Joe Veleno stepping up, or perhaps Robbie Fabbri, Vladislav Namestnikov or a combination of all three.

But now they have added a center who netted 13 even-strength goals last season for the Blackhawks. His 14 total goals makes him the Red Wings top returning scorer. His goal-scoring total over the abbreviated 56-game season projects to 21 goals over an 82-game schedule. Suter is comfortable at both center and wing.

Continued (paywall);

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

Continue reading Allen: Suter’s looking out for #2