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 from Yzerman on competition for jobs and training camp, via Kulfan

Here’s a “chaser” of sorts from the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:

Yzerman said he’s talked with coach Jeff Blashill regarding naming new alternate captains, but who will replace the departed Luke Glendening and Frans Nielsen won’t be announced until closer to the start of the regular season.

Yzerman is looking forward to the competition for jobs in the lineup.

“That makes for a more interesting training camp,” Yzerman said. “I expect, and expect the players all recognize, whether it’s Bobby Ryan coming on a professional tryout or Moritz Seider (competing for a lineup berth), any of the players, they have a lot to play for. 

“I am looking forward to watching all the new faces and see how the players within our organization who’ve been here respond to the opportunity to get a bigger role and to compete with some of the younger players or new faces for those spots.

“I hope our record is better than last  year, but truthfully, time will tell.”

Continued

Take this for what you will

I lost my Uncle Bobby to COVID, in a nursing home. I lost my friend Liz to COVID. I know someone who survived a kidney transplant, but not COVID. My aunt is immune-compromised.

Take this for what you will.

Todd Reynolds, who represents Tyler Bertuzzi, said he will not disclose the reason why his client has declined to be vaccinated. “If the player wants to address his reasons, that’s fine,” he said. “But we see it as a private medical matter, so it’s no one’s business.”— Ken Campbell (@Ken_Campbell27) September 22, 2021

That’s fair. The reasons are his business. The effects (including financial) are plenty of other people’s business.

And hey, it’s always free to speculate. https://t.co/BGI22DZrBG— Winging It In Motown (@wingingitmotown) September 22, 2021

Tyler Bertuzzi’s going to miss the Red Wings’ games in Canada and maybe half a million dollars in salary for the sake of not taking a shot. He’s going to have to mask up around his teammates and adhere to strict protocols whenever he’s around his teammates because he’s not taking a shot. He’s a valuable asset to his team and his teammates, but he’s letting them down.

That doesn’t sit right with me, but if it’s his choice, it’s his choice. The consequences thereof are plain.

So the interview script with Bertuzzi pretty much has to be “Does the player want to address his reasons? Why or why not?”— Winging It In Motown (@wingingitmotown) September 22, 2021

I would be shocked if the Wings make Bertuzzi available to the media.

Khan’s injury updates: ‘controlled contact’ for Bertuzzi, Larkin; Berggren UBI, Raymond LBI, McIsaac concussion

MLive’s Ansar Khan provides some information regarding Tyler Bertuzzi’s situation and some injury updates in his latest missive:

Like Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin also will start camp experiencing only controlled contact, after missing the final eight games last season due to a neck injury, which didn’t require surgery.

“He’s been skating in the offseason but there’s not a lot of contact involved in that, so the progression for him now is to get involved,” Yzerman said. “The next step is to get involved in some of the practice. If he responds well to that, then the next step is no limitation or hesitations in any of the drills. We’ll see how he does the first few days and then see if the medical staff is comfortable in green-lighting the next step.”

…

Yzerman provided updates on players injured during last week’s Prospects Tournament:

–Defenseman Jared McIsaac is out with a concussion suffered Sunday when hit from behind into the boards.

“As of yesterday, he is feeling better. Not cleared to play at this point,” Yzerman said. “We will follow concussion protocol. All tests were negative. He’s progressed. No timeframe.”

–Jonatan Berggren has a mild upper-body injury and Lucas Raymond a mild lower-body injury.

“Don’t anticipate him skating tomorrow, day to day,” Yzerman said. “Anticipate (Raymond) will skate tomorrow. He skated today with no issues. Will skate for part of the workout (Thursday) as precaution.”

Continued

Tweet of note: Jakub Vrana is stuck in the Czech Republic due to visa issues

I was warned of this last week:

Jakub Vrana is not in Traverse City yet due to visa issues per Steve Yzerman. Hopeful that he’s on a plane tomorrow. @DetroitRedWings #LGRW— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) September 22, 2021

HSJ: Tyler Bertuzzi is your unvaccinated Red Wing

From the Free Press’s Helene St. James:

Tyler Bertuzzi, a key part of the Detroit Red Wings, has declined to get the vaccine for COVID-19, the only Wings player to do so, general manager Steve Yzerman said Wednesday. 

Bertuzzi will still be at training camp, which runs for six days beginning Thursday in Traverse City. Yzerman said Bertuzzi will not be able to travel to Canada under current restrictions, which require a 14-day quarantine for unvaccinated players traveling into Canada. 

Bertuzzi, 26, signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal in July. He’s a top-line player and power play guy, and one of the grittiest players on the team. 

The NHL and NHL Players Association do not have a vaccine mandate for players, but unvaccinated players face restrictions that the vaccinated do not. The unvaccinated will not be exempt from a 14-day quarantine when crossing from the US. to Canada, and teams can suspend players without pay who are unable to participate in team activities.

Would miss nine games in Canada. https://t.co/xCQ27jTOtZ— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) September 22, 2021

Just as a follow-up to the few players who chose not to get vaccinated…under the agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA…If a player cannot cross the border to play games, that player is subject to suspension without pay.— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) September 22, 2021

Update: From Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen:

He is the only Red Wings’ player who isn’t vaccinated. Following the NHL protocol,  Bertuzzi will be able to attend training camp. About 98 percent of NHL players are vaccinated.

“As it stands now, under the Canadian laws, he would not be able to cross the border,” general manager Steve Yzerman said.

The Red Wings play in Montreal Oct. 23. Canada’s current quarantine/Covid border rules currently say  no entry for non-vaccinated

Bertuzzi signed a two-contract this summer for $4.75 million per season.  “It’s his decision,” Yzerman said,  “and it’s the world we live in today. I’m not in a position to force anyone.”

He will be required to distance himself from players under certain circumstances, like in a gym, for example.

I miscounted the men. Tyler Bertuzzi will forfeit at LEAST over $450,000 in salary from Detroit Red Wings’ nine games in Canada this season if he continues to decline vaccination.— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) September 22, 2021

In which I appear on the ‘Locked on Wings’ podcast

FYI:

The Athletic’s Dayal suggests that Jakub Vrana (and Filip Zadina) could be a breakout canddiate

The Athletic’s Harman Dayal listed a set of 10 potential breakout candidates for the upcoming season, and Jakub Vrana cracked his list…

Jakub Vrana, LW, Detroit Red Wings

There are pros and cons to playing on a bad team from an individual production standpoint. Sure, there will be little help around you and the power-play unit you’re on probably won’t have enough weapons to score often but opportunities will at least be abundant.

That last part will be welcome news for Jakub Vrana. Since the 2018-19 season, only 12 NHL forwards have scored five-on-five points at a more efficient rate than the former Washington Capital.

It hasn’t always led to impressive counting stats in large part because he was stuck behind some elite forwards in Washington. Vrana never averaged more than 15 minutes per game in a single season in D.C. but climbed to over 17 per game when he suited up for Detroit. Those extra minutes paid immediate dividends as Vrana notched eight goals and 11 points in 11 games as a Red Wing.

Vrana obviously can’t be expected to score at that torrid of a pace — he shot 25 percent in those 11 games — but he should thrive nonetheless with the opportunity to spread his wings (no pun intended).

And Filip Zadina earned an honorable mention:

Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit Red Wings: Improving slow and steady, Zadina should get a bigger top-six opportunity this year. Breaking out may depend on Dylan Larkin’s health and how he fares upon return.

Continued (paywall)

Press release: Red Wings release training camp roster and schedule

From the Detroit Red Wings:

RED WINGS RELEASE 2021 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER AND DAILY SCHEDULE  

… Sixty-Two Players Hit the Ice from Sept. 23-28 in Traverse City …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today released their training camp roster and schedule, comprised of 62 players who will hit the ice on Thursday, Sept. 23 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich., for six days of camp before beginning their eight-game preseason schedule with a road game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

The Red Wings will bring 35 forwards, 20 defensemen and seven goaltenders to Traverse City to participate in daily on-ice practices. Following the team’s annual Red & White Game on Sunday, Sept. 26, the Red Wings will remain in Traverse City for two more days of practice before breaking camp to return to Detroit ahead of the exhibition slate, which is highlighted by home games against the Buffalo Sabres (Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.), Columbus Blue Jackets (Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7:00 p.m.), Chicago Blackhawks (Monday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.) and Pittsburgh Penguins (Thursday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.).

Continue reading Press release: Red Wings release training camp roster and schedule