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!

Prospect Round-up: Brattstrom wins, Berggren scores, Grewe posts assist on busy day in Europe

Of prospect-related note from Europe:

In the Finnish Liiga, Victor Brattstrom stopped 17 of 18 shots en route to KooKoo’s 4-1 win over HPK;

Otto Kivenmaki had an assist, finishing at +1 with 1 shot in 15:09 played, and Kasper Kotkansalo finished at +1 with 2 shots in 20:16 played as Assat Pori won 4-0 over Sport;

In the ICE Hockey League, Jesper Eliasson was the back-up in the Red Bulls Salzburg’s 3-2 loss to HCB Foxes;

In the SHL, Lucas Raymond finished even in 11:41 played, and Elmer Soderblom finished even with 1 shot in 7:07 played as the Frolunda Indians lost 2-1 to Linkoping;

Jonatan Berggren scored a goal, finishing even with 4 shots in 19:22 played as Skelleftea AIK won 3-2 in a shootout over Lulea Hockey:

Continue reading Prospect Round-up: Brattstrom wins, Berggren scores, Grewe posts assist on busy day in Europe

Mike Babcock comments on Johan Franzen in wide-ranging interview with LeBrun

Former Red Wings and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock spoke with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun in what was going to be inevitable–a “tell-all” interview about his perceived misdeeds as the now-NBC Sports analyst rehabilitates his image–and he addressed Johan Franzen’s accusations that Babcock’s rough treatment caused permanent psychological damage:

“(Franzen) had unbelievable years in Detroit,’’ Babcock said. “He was a big man with great hands. When he first came here, we thought he was a checker and he turned himself into an unbelievable player.

“When a player that you’ve coached says that about you, it stings you big time. But not only does it sting for that, if you’ve been involved with mental health like I have …’”

Babcock has been an advocate for mental health awareness, beginning after a young man his family knew in Saskatchewan took his own life. Over the years, Babcock has lent his voice to the cause, participating in the Bell Let’s Talk campaign. So to have Franzen feel that way about him, it hurt deeply.

“Can you imagine having someone say that about you when you have been involved in mental health as much as I have? Now, I’ve reached out to (Franzen). That’s not going to make anything go away.

“It doesn’t matter what I perceive. When you’re talking about this kind of thing, if the person — whether it’s a co-worker, your spouse, your student — if they think that’s the environment, that’s what they’re feeling. Now, I sure wish I would have known about that then. And I could have done something about that. Besides apologize, there’s not much I can do about that now. But does it sting? Does it hurt? Absolutely.’’

Continued (paywall)

Kulfan’s notebook: Rasmussen comfortable with promotion from ‘taxi squad’

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a game-day notebook article in which he discusses Michael Rasmussen’s promotion from the taxi squad to the Red Wings’ roster due to Robby Fabbri and Adam Erne’s absences:

“It was good to get back in the lineup and play a game with the guys,” Rasmussen said a Zoom session Tuesday with media. “It’s been a good experience so far with the taxi squad. It’s good to be around the guys and work on your game and skate and get some work in the gym, too. I’m just trying to stay be ready and be ready to play when you’re called upon.”

The taxi squad consists of four to six players — the Wings are carrying six — and is something new this season, with teams needing the extra bodies while playing amid a pandemic.

The Wings’ taxi squad is skating on its own in the morning, and several or more players will join in, typically, to skate with the Wings’ main team during their practice later in the morning.They’ll end the day with work in the weight room.

But Rasmussen has been waiting for that opportunity to get into the lineup, and it finally came — on quick notice — Monday.

“Not a lot of time to think about it,” Rasmussen said, talking about how the day went. “I got up and I got a text I was in (the lineup).. I just got mentally ready and had some food and headed to the rink. It was good to have an early game (noon start) so I didn’t think about it much and just went about my job.”

Continued

Tweet of note: Bobby Ryan capable of setting Wings record tonight

This is pretty darn cool, if it happens:

Bobby Ryan has 3-0—3 through his first two games played with Detroit. No @DetroitRedWings player has scored four goals within their first three appearances with the franchise. Will Ryan do it? #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/4unCHI0slw— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 19, 2021

Red Wings-Blue Jackets Game 2 morning skate updates: context over content (and Bernier starts, probably)

Updated 2x at 11:34 AM: It’s Bernier vs. Merzlikins, and no changes will be made to Columbus’ lineup:

The Detroit Red Wings weren’t thrilled with yesterday’s 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Despite the team’s furious 3rd period attempted comeback, the Wings did blow a 1-0 lead, their power play is 0-for-6 on the season, and the Bertuzzi-Larkin-Mantha line is still trying to find its footing.

Long story long, the Wings have some areas for improvement heading into tonight’s rematch against Columbus (7:30 PM EST on FSD/FS Ohio/97.1 the Ticket), and ColumbusBlueJackets.com’s Jeff Svoboda kicks off this morning’s proceedings with a game preview–from both teams’ perspectives:

Continue reading Red Wings-Blue Jackets Game 2 morning skate updates: context over content (and Bernier starts, probably)