The Free Press’s Ryan Ford compares Alex Nedeljkovic to 8 Calder Trophy-finalist goaltenders who went on to play strongly during their sophomore campaigns, including Martin Brodeur, Eddie Belfour, Jordan Binnington and Jimmy Howard:

The Detroit Red Wings have a new potential star in net this season in goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who was acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes in July.

Nedeljkovic led the NHL in goals-against average (1.90) and save percentage (.932) while finishing third in voting for the Calder Trophy (awarded to the NHL’s top rookie 26 or younger and voted on by the media). Most years, that would check off the “potential” tag and establish a player as a bona fide star.

But thanks to the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season — which lasted just 56 games — and a deeper-than-most goalie pool in Carolina, Nedeljkovic appeared in just 23 games. Accordingly, the ’Canes balked at ponying up on a long-term deal and dealt him to the Red Wings for, basically, a 2021 third-round pick. (General manager Steve Yzerman and the Wings then signed Nedeljkovic to a two-year, $6 million contract.)

So what, exactly, are the Wings getting in their young goalie? At the very least, they know they’ve got only the ninth goalie to finish as a Calder finalist over the past 30 seasons. So, let’s take a look at how the other eight fared in their follow-up campaigns.

Continued

In the only prospect action in North America on Sunday:

In the WHL, Cross Hanas scored a goal, finishing at +1 with 3 shots in the Portland Winterhawks’ 3-0 win over Spokane.

The Athletic’s staffers are not exactly fans of the Detroit Red Wings’ potential for an upward trajectory this upcoming season, so perhaps it’s not surprising to read the following takes on a pair of Red Wings players as potential fantasy hockey targets.

Scott Cullen suggests that Robby Fabbri may be a solid late-round fantasy hockey pick, assuming that he stays healthy…

Robby Fabbri, C/LW, Detroit

Yahoo: 367

The frequently injured Red Wings forward has been very productive since arriving in the Motor City, putting up 49 points (24 G, 25 A) in 82 games for the Red Wings. Sure, it’s impossible to trust that he will stay healthy for any length of time, but there is enough production to make him a viable consideration.

And Shayna Goldman believes that Alex Nedeljkovic will make a difference on fantasy hockey teams…Just not the kind of difference that involves winning games:

4. Alex Nedeljkovic, DET: The Red Wings probably are going to be among the worst teams in the league this season, and that’s going to be quite the adjustment for Nedeljovkic who is coming from one of the stronger squads in the league.

Given how many ‘quality starts’ and ‘saves’ he had last year, as he saved 13.5 more goals than expected and earned a .932 save percentage, there’s reason to be confident in him providing some stability in net for Detroit. But managers have to be realistic too because both his lack of experience and the quality of the team playing in front of him. He probably won’t be the answer for your team alone, unlike the second half of last year. But with a high shot rate against, he’ll probably help bolster some categories (outside of wins).

I’m not exactly expecting anybody from The Athletic to say, “Shucks howdy, the Red Wings are going to improve this season!” but the kind of disdain with which some of their correspondents discuss the team and anybody on it can be off-putting.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff penned an article discussing the Red Wings’ signing of unrestricted free agent forward Pius Suter as a possible “ace in the hole” acquisition:

It’s a fair question and one well worth debating. Certainly, the addition of goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, last season’s NHL leader in goals-agianst average and save percentage, could prove vital in bumping up the Red Wings’ number in the win column. Nick Leddy is a slick puck mover capable of igniting the Red Wings’ dismal 30th-ranked power play.

However, neither of them may be able to improve the team in as many areas as Suter is capable of providing. An unrestricted free agent signing who scored 14 goals last season for the Chicago Blackhawks, Suter gives the Wings a stellar No. 2 center to play behind captain Dylan Larkin.

He’s got the offensive skills as both a playmaker and finisher to make a difference with the man advantage. As well, Suter’s repertoire includes the defensive acumen to be a valuable performer when the club is shorthanded.

“It’s different when you have a guy on your bench than when you’re coaching against him,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “When you coach against him, you see flashy skills. When they’re on your bench, you get to know his brain. His brain is really good. He’s really smart. Offensively, he’s really smart. Defensively, he can fill a bunch of different roles. He can make a lot of plays, he can play with good players.”

Continued

Bally Sports Detroit’s Brooke Fletcher interviews new Bally Sports Detroit commentator/analyst Manon Rheaume on the latest episode of “The Third Half”:

I’m a little late with this one:

DETROIT ASSIGNS PICKARD TO GRAND RAPIDS  … 

Red Wings Preseason Roster Reduced to 31 …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today assigned goaltender Calvin Pickard to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Red Wings have 31 players on their preseason roster: 20 forwards, nine defensemen and two goaltenders. Detroit concluded its eight-game preseason slate on Saturday in Buffalo with a 4-4-0 record. The team will officially begin the 96th season in franchise history on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts the back-to-back Stanley Cup-champion Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena.

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan discusses the Red Wings’ potential season-opening roster as decisions apply to the forward group:

► In: Tyler Bertuzzi, Erne, Fabbri, Sam Gagner, Larkin, Namestnikov, Rasmussen, Mitchell Stephens, Pius Suter, Filip Zadina.

► On the bubble: Taro Hirose, Raymond, Carter Rowney, Bobby Ryan, Smith, Veleno.

For this exercise, Stephens is assumed to be on the roster. The speedy, tenacious Stephens seemingly solidified a spot Saturday by arguably being the Wings’ best forward, after a string of good preseason performances. Stephens likely will be the fourth-line center.

Ryan, 34, in camp on a professional tryout, likely will be signed to a one-year contract. Ryan had two goals and two assists in six games, but he also brings important veteran intangibles that could help the Wings.

Rowney could fill the role of being an extra forward, able to step in when needed. 

Smith would appear to have a roster spot locked up,  but the severity of his injury clouds his outlook. Also, Smith didn’t have a consistently productive preseason.

Which leaves us with Raymond and Veleno, two young players fans are longing to see in the NHL — but the Wings’ front office have a development plan in place.

Continued (paywall)

I have a bad feeling that Red Wings fans are going to revolt on Monday, when I expect Lucas Raymond and Joe Veleno to be sent to Grand Rapids (barring injuries on the Red Wings’ roster)…

But I’m not going to be here for all of the fun. I have an appointment with my primary care physician at 1:15 PM, and it takes about half-an-hour to get to Providence Hospital from South Lyon, so I’m going to be gone from approximately 12:45 until somewhere around 3 PM.

That will conflict with tomorrow’s practice (which probably starts at 11 AM) and the submission of the Wings’ final roster by 5 PM EDT, but I’ve got to prioritize my health here, and getting my physical is essential.

So I hope my priorities are correct in deciding to not cancel tomorrow’s appointment. It will be a little bit of an impediment to covering Monday’s practice and/or roster moves, but sometimes you’ve got to get yourself taken care of first.

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Wings are waiving Taro Hirose to send im to Grand Rapids:

Carrick/Larsson (ANA); Jonsson-Fjallby (BUF); Gelinas, Lajoie, Leivo, Noesen, Smith (CAR); Carlsson, Lehtonen, Stenlund (CLB); Delia, Subban (CHI); MacDonald (COL); Petrovic (DAL0; Barber, Hirose (DET); Carlsson, Gibson (FLA)…— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 10, 2021

Which Chris Johnston confirms:

Collin Delia (CHI), Malcolm Subban (CHI), Jacob MacDonald (COL), Alex Petrovic (DAL), Riley Barber (DET), Taro Hirose (DET), William Lagesson (EDM), Kyle Turris (EDM), Lucas Carlsson (FLA), Christopher Gibson (FLA), Austin Strand (LA), Austin Wagner (LA) …— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 10, 2021

So it looks like Givani Smith and Carter Rowney make the Red Wings’ roster for now.

No word on Bobby Ryan’s try-out contract.— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 10, 2021

I’m expecting Lucas Raymond and Joe Veleno to be sent down to Grand Rapids to start the season, but, again, I do not expect them to end the season in Grand Rapids.— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 10, 2021

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Red Wings/Grand Rapids Griffins goaltender Calvin Pickard was among those who cleared waivers yesterday.

Everyone on waivers yesterday cleared— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 10, 2021