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!

Khan talks opening-night lines

This morning, MLive’s Ansar Khan makes an estimate as to what lines the Red Wings will hit the ice with in October. We’ll take a look at his estimated second and third forward lines:

2: Jakub Vrana-Pius Suter-Robby Fabbri

The Red Wings are eager to see what Vrana can do over a full season after collecting eight goals and 11 points in 11 games following a trade with Washington. They hope Suter can solidify the second-line center spot after picking up 14 goals as a 25-year-old rookie with Chicago. Fabbri was limited to 30 games due to COVID at the start and a concussion in the end but was productive (10 goals, 18 points).

3: Vladislav Namestnikov-Michael Rasmussen-Sam Gagner

Rasmussen was one of their most-improved players, though it didn’t reflect in his production (three goals, 12 points in 40 games). The Red Wings see him as a shut-down type center and a net-front presence on the power play. Gagner might be the only right-handed shooter on the top three lines and the lone righty forward on the power play. Namestnikov struggled last season, producing only eight goals (five empty-netters) and 17 points.

Continued

A bit of Champions Hockey League action: Frolunda, Rogle win games

The Champions’ Hockey League is a strange kettle of fish. It’s a league in which 32 of Europe’s best professional teams play tournament games against each other, over the course of approximately 6 weeks, starting in August. The games are technically “friendly” matches, but there’s a tournament trophy at stake, and bragging rights.

So the Champions Hockey League began play today, with Red Wings prospects taking part.

Simon Edvinsson, Elmer Soderblom and Theodor Niederbach took part in the Frolunda Indians’ 4-1 win over Mlada Boleslav today, and Niederbach ended up with an assist on the following goal, as illustrated by IceHockeyGifs on Twitter:

Here are a few more .gifs of interest…

William Wallinder also played in Rogle BK’s 5-3 win over EV Zug, but there are no stats from that game indicating that he registered a point over the course of the game…

And tomorrow, Eemil Viro and TPS Turku will battle Pinguins Bremerhaven. I’m sure IceHockeyGifs will have clips.

Focus remains on Nedeljkovic in latest ‘Red Wings Reset’ article

DetroitRedWings.com’s Matthew Falkenbury evaluates the Red Wings’ goaltending in an article that “resets” the roster for the 2021-2022 season today:

On July 22, the day before the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Detroit Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman got the offseason goalie carousel started with a trade that surprised the hockey world.

The Red Wings acquired 25-year-old goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and the free-agent rights to goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Detroit then followed up minutes later by announcing that it had signed Nedeljkovic to a two-year contract.

“Obviously, we have high hopes for Alex based on his performance this year in Carolina” Yzerman said after the trade on July 22. “We’re pretty excited about it. He did very well this year. Everyone in our organization is familiar with him from his local ties, playing junior, so we know his character, his work ethic, his competitiveness, and watching him play this year, we felt it was a good opportunity to get somewhat of a younger goaltender with still some upside and can help us win more games.”

The young goalie burst onto the scene last season as he compiled a 15-5-3 record, 1.90 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage in 23 games for the Central Division-champion Hurricanes.

He helped lead Carolina past the Nashville Predators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and finished third in Calder Trophy voting as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Continued

Roughly translated: Pius Suter talks with NHL.de about his opportunity to stick with the Wings

New Red Wings forward Pius Suter spoke with NHL.de’s Oliver Jensen regarding his signing with the Red Wings and his expectations for the upcoming season (as part of NHL.de’s analysis of the Red Wings as they stand today). What follows is roughly translated from German:

In the future, he wants to use his effective play in the service of the Detroit Red Wings. 25-year-old Pius Suter signed a 2-year contract [with the Red Wings] and should do his part to ensure that the once-glorious franchise becomes a successful team again after five years without a playoff appearance.

“I was a bit surprised,” says Suter of the Blackhawks’ decision to not retain him. The playmaking forward thus became an unrestricted free agent after last season, so the Chicago team could have kept him with a qualifying offer. They let the opportunity slip by.

Suter didn’t expect it. Nonetheless, it was clear to him that such personnel decisions aren’t uncommon in the NHL. “I knew this could happen. I didn’t think too much about it. It all happened very quickly. I didn’t get a qualifying offer and became a free agent.”

Continue reading Roughly translated: Pius Suter talks with NHL.de about his opportunity to stick with the Wings

Tweets of note: Larkin, Zadina keeping busy

Per the University of Michigan and the Red Wings on Twitter…

Dylan Larkin guest coaching Victory Honda practice in Plymouth last night#ProBlue pic.twitter.com/XeKbjwliPt— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) August 26, 2021

.@zadina_filip putting in some work. ?

?: https://t.co/PGI70M8iiv pic.twitter.com/kALiFIBpuu— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 25, 2021

Larkin is a notorious summer “rink rat” up in Waterford, in Plymouth, and in Steven Oleksy’s Eastside Elite Hockey League.

Also, in wholesome Twitter content:

Best day of the year! ? pic.twitter.com/ps2CjfUegi— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 26, 2021

Happy Birthday to #31, Jan Bednar!

Bonne fête au #31, Jan Bednar! pic.twitter.com/LWSnXUZWKC— Titan d’Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) August 26, 2021

Toledo Walleye sign forward Brett McKenzie

Per the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye:

(Toledo, OH) – Forward Brett McKenzie has agreed to terms with the Toledo Walleye for the 2021-2022 season.

McKenzie, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, spent the 2020-21 campaign in Poland appearing in 12 contests for Unia with six points (2G, 4A). That year came on the heels of a pair offensive dominating performances in the ECHL with Atlanta and Fort Wayne. The 24-year-old has 39 goals and 66 assists in 118 games at the ECHL level, which includes the 60 points (23G, 37A) over 56 contests in the 2019-2020 season for the Komets.

“We are looking forward to helping Brett continue his development in Toledo. He was Fort Wayne’s best center two seasons ago and we look for him to continue that trend. He is a big body, strong on faceoffs, can play in all situations, and will be counted on to provide offense. He will be among the leaders in our locker room this upcoming season. We are excited to have Brett in a Walleye uniform.” Head Coach Dan Watson

Before joining the pro ranks, McKenzie played five seasons in the OHL between North Bay and Owen Sound. He appeared in 328 games over those five seasons, with 101 goals scored to go along with 123 assists. In 2017-18, he started the year with North Bay but finished the season with 26 points (13G, 13A) for Owen Sound. The 6’2”, 190-pound forward helped the Attack that year with 16 points (8G, 8A) in 11 postseason contests.

Former Wing Frans Nielsen has an opportunity to impress at the Olympic qualifiers

Former Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen may or may not still be looking for an NHL job. The native of Herning, Denmark could very well play for his hometown Herning Blue Fox of the Dansk Metal League, he could play for the Malmo Redhawks of the SHL for a second time, and he could pursue NHL employment if he wishes to do so…

But much is riding upon his participation in the Olympic qualifying round taking place presently in Oslo, as the Hockey News’s Steven Ellis notes:

Frans Nielsen, F, UFA (DEN)
Just last week, Nielsen was bought out by the Detroit Red Wings, a move many saw coming for a while. So while Nielsen technically isn’t an NHLer, he’s still looking for a deal for 2021-22. could use the Olympic qualifiers as his route back. His offensive has completely dried up in the past two years, recording just 15 points in 89 games, but his veteran experience and value as a depth play-maker might earn him one more shot.

Continued; I expect Nielsen to latch on in Europe this upcoming season.

Yahoo Sports’ Psihogios discusses a ‘competitive timeline’ for the Wings

Yahoo Sports’ Stephen Psihogios ponders when and whether the Detroit Red Wings might become a competitive hockey team in the stacked Atlantic Division this morning, discussing the Red Wings’ last three draft classes as they apply to building a foundation for a more nimble organization:

If you’re a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, you’re probably getting a little impatient.

After qualifying for the playoffs in 25 consecutive seasons, Detroit has failed to clinch a postseason berth in five straight NHL campaigns. A franchise accustomed to winning has endured a lengthy, yet steadfast, rebuild. 

The man who’s overseen three crucial drafts for the organization is franchise legend Steve Yzerman. Yzerman joined the squad in 2019, signing on to serve as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and general manager. After captaining the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup championships, the 2014-15 NHL GM of the Year was tasked with overhauling an aging, prospect-depleted roster that had already endured three disappointing seasons.

Now entering the third year of Yzerman’s tenure and the sixth of Detroit’s rebuild, how has the team fared during this period and when can residents of Hockey Town expect the squad to be competitive once again?

Continued

Blashill ‘on the hot seat?’

The Hockey News’s Adam Proteau posted a list of 5 coaches who Proteau believes are “on the hot seat,” and five coaches who are “ready for work,” and I’m not sure whether I agree with him regarding the Red Wings’ bench boss:

Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings: Detroit GM Steve Yzerman has earned his stripes as one of the NHL’s most savvy team architects, and guess how many years he just signed Blashill to on a contract extension? That’s right – two years, just like Colliton and Green. Blashill has been the Wings’ head coach for more than six years, and that’s a near-eternity in NHL coaching circles. Many believe Detroit will not be notably better in 2021-22 and likely miss the playoffs again – and if there’s a hockey man out there Yzerman feels will be a better fit for this rebuilding team, everyone should expect he hands Blashill his walking papers and moves on without him.

Continued; I believe that much depends upon whether we see improvement from the Red Wings this upcoming season, but I would not be all that surprised if Blashill survives. He’s made it this far.

Also: it’s nice to see Proteau back on the Hockey News beat.