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!

Tweet of note: Regina Pats select Red Wings prospect Michal Pradel in import draft

It appears that Red Wings prospect and Slovakian goaltender Michal Pradel will play for the WHL’s Regina Pats this upcoming season–if he doesn’t remain with the USHL’s Tri-City Storm:

NHL.com’s Stubbs memorializes Alex Delvecchio

NHL.com’s Dave Stubbs wrote a lengthy column which summarizes the hockey life of Red Wings legend Alex Delvecchio, who passed away yesterday at 93 years of age:

One of the most respected and most durable players in hockey, of any generation, Delvecchio died on Tuesday at age 93. The legend affectionately nicknamed “Fats” by his teammates is survived by his wife, Judy, and the couple’s five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

From his first NHL appearance, March 25, 1951, at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium against the Montreal Canadiens, through his last, Nov. 4, 1973, in Atlanta against the Flames, Delvecchio played 1,550 regular-season games, all for the Red Wings, amassing 1,281 points (456 goals, 825 assists). He played another 121 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 104 points (35 goals, 69 assists).

Delvecchio was a Stanley Cup champion in 1952, 1954 and 1955, and three times was voted winner of the Lady Byng Trophy (1959, 1966, 1969), awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.

It was on Aug. 25, 1977, that this nearly indestructible center was enshrined among the greatest in hockey, welcomed to the Hall of Fame in a class that included late defenseman Tim Horton and builders John “Bunny” Ahearne, Harold Ballard and Joseph Cattarinich.

“How often do you get to be in the Hall of Fame, let alone just play in the NHL?” Delvecchio wondered, reminded of the anniversary.

Continued

Allen on the remaining free agent and trade targets

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses the free agents who remain options for the Red Wings to sign, as well as the team’s potential trade targets:

UFAs still in play: Defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, plus forwards Jack Roslovic, Anthony Beauvillier, Victor Olofsson, Gus Nyquist and Max Pacioretty among others.

What it means is that the Red Wings’ hope for improvement now rests in the trade market, and the continued improvement of young players, such as Marco Kasper, Moritz Seider, plus the possible arrival of Axel Sandin Pellikka, Carter Mazur and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

The trade market could yield some possibilities, including Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson. If the Stars don’t believe they can re-sign him moving forward, they may move him. This is a player that has scored 151 goals over the past four seasons. That’s almost 38 goals per season.

The Stars reportedly want two first-round picks, and other primary assets. Yzerman likely would  part with picks and prospects to land Robertson.

Other possible players in the trade marker: Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson, Buffalo defenseman Bowen Byram, Minnesota center Marco Rossi, Pittsburgh forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Will  the Vegas Golden Knights move someone to ease the salary cap burden of Mitch Marner’s $12 million hit?

Continued; I’m not expecting much movement.

Postava’s good to go

As Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff notes, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman stated over draft weekend that he believes free agent signing Michal Postava is ready to split the Grand Rapids Griffins’ goaltending duties with Sebastian Cossa;

“Oh, I think it’s very realistic that he can play in the AHL next year,” Yzerman said. “I haven’t seen him do it, so that’s the only question mark.

Czech netminder Michal Postava is among six goaltenders currently participating in the Detroit Red Wings development camp. In other developments, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman is confident that Postava is ready to take on a much bigger challenge this fall.

Yzerman is counting on Postava being one of the two netminders who will be playing for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

“Oh, I think it’s very realistic that he can play in the AHL next year,” Yzerman said. “I haven’t seen him do it, so that’s the only question mark. I think he had an outstanding year. One of our scouts, Petr Jaros in Europe, who lives in the Czech Republic, has watched Postava all year and really pushed hard for him. He’s watched him climb through every league.

“I think the next step for him after a really good year is to go to the American League. Is he going to be good enough? Time will tell, but we think he’ll be able to play there. We think he’ll be more than fine there.”

Postava, 23, was playing his first season in the Czech Extraliga during the 2024-25 season. He would backstop Kometa Brno to the championship, posting a .944 save percentage in the process. That performance led the Red Wings to sign the netminder to a two-year contract with an AAV of $975,000.

Czech netminder Michal Postava is among six goaltenders currently participating in the Detroit Red Wings development camp. In other developments, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman is confident that Postava is ready to take on a much bigger challenge this fall.

Yzerman is counting on Postava being one of the two netminders who will be playing for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

“Oh, I think it’s very realistic that he can play in the AHL next year,” Yzerman said. “I haven’t seen him do it, so that’s the only question mark. I think he had an outstanding year. One of our scouts, Petr Jaros in Europe, who lives in the Czech Republic, has watched Postava all year and really pushed hard for him. He’s watched him climb through every league. I think the next step for him after a really good year is to go to the American League. Is he going to be good enough? Time will tell, but we think he’ll be able to play there. We think he’ll be more than fine there.”

Continued

An obituary for Alex Delvecchio

The Detroit Free Press’s Gene Myers wrote an incredibly long obituary of Red Wings legend Alex Delvecchio, who passed away yesterday at 93 years of age. We’ll start at the end:

On Nov. 10, 1991, in a 20-minute ceremony at Joe Louis Arena, [Jimmy] Carson, switching to No. 12, presented a No. 10 sweater to Delvecchio and captain Steve Yzerman presented a No. 7 sweater to Lindsay. Then banners bearing their names and numbers were unveiled and raised alongside Howe’s No. 9. The Free Press called it “an eye-dabbing double hanging.”

“This is a tremendous honor,” Delvecchio said at the podium with his family.

“What really counts,” Lindsay said, “is who we’re hung with — the greatest athlete in any sport that I’ve ever seen.”

The essence of Delvecchio’s Lady Byng-like life played out on Oct. 16, 2008, when his statue was unveiled at Joe Louis Arena.

Two nights later, when Lindsay’s statue was revealed, the colorful character known as Terrible Ted was front and center with statements like: “The one thing I love about my statue, it’s indoors. The pigeons are not going to get a chance to get at it.”

The even-keel, nice guy known as “Fats,” surrounded by family, friends and former teammates, said in a humble, straightforward fashion: “I had a lot of help from Gordie and Teddy. Get the puck to them and they’ll get the job done.”

He relished the work created by Israeli-born artist Omri Amrany, who also did the Tigers’ statues at Comerica Park and Michael Jordan’s in Chicago.

“Looks great,” Delvecchio said. “He did a hell of a job. Just to be here — doesn’t matter if it looks like anything. But it does look good.”

Continued; Myers also wrote a secondary article on Delvecchio, and he debates which Detroit sports franchises qualify as dynasties, too.

Monarrez is upset with Yzerman’s free agency inertia

The Detroit Free Press’s Carlos Monarrez is upset with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s lack of moves during the first day of unrestricted free agency:

Forget about the Yzerplan. This level of do-nothingness while the Wings are riding a nine-year playoff drought requires a new descriptive moniker for the GM.

May I suggest Mild-zerman?

I’ll be the first to say I had a wild fantasy of Yzerman finally taking a bold step and signing top-of-the-market players with the Wings needing a top-six forward and top-four defenseman. It was a fantasy that ended with defenseman Aaron Ekblad making a stretch pass to Mitch Marner, who beat Stuart Skinner on a breakaway for the Stanley Cup-winning goal in the Wings’ 4-0 sweep of Edmonton.

As I said, a fantasy. Because this is Mild-zerman, who tends to make moves with all the urgency of an old dog sitting by the fire.

Continued; for better or worse, Yzerman is a methodical, patient general manager. I’ve been saying that for a long time.

I just don’t believe that the Wings’ management team can be fully judged for losing out on July 1st given that the Red Wings are not a “destination team” right now, and given that the GM promised to pursue post-free agency trades. We have yet to determine what the team does or does not do in terms of improving itself over the course of the summer.

HSJ in the morning: Gibson’s on board, but Wings have yet to land free agent help

The Free Press’s Helene St. James combined an interview with new Red Wings goaltender John Gibson and an early take on the Wings’ free agency struggles (thus far):

Gibson was in Mexico when he found out he was leaving the only NHL team he’s known.

“I was in Cabo for a charity event,” he said. “I found out right before I was getting ready to head out on a boat. It was interesting timing. I more felt bad that I missed a lot of phone calls and things like that. I’m trying to catch up, introduce myself, get to meet everyone over the phone. It’s very exciting. It’s tough being in one place so long, you have to say goodbye to a lot of close friendships within the organization. But me and my family are really excited for the next chapter. I still feel like I have a lot left to prove and excited to get the season going and play. Hopefully we can get Detroit into the playoffs.”

As it stands, the Wings are returning nearly the same team that fell short last season, with a few changes. The additions are Gibson and van Riemsdyk. Mrazek and Vladimir Tarasenko both have been traded, and Alex Lyon and Jeff Petry signed elsewhere.

Nate Danielson, the team’s first-round pick (at No. 9) from 2023 may challenge for a spot come camp, but he’s not the power winger the Wings targeted. There are high expectations on Axel Sandin Pellikka, but the defenseman is only just starting his North American career. It’s not a particularly encouraging situation on July 1, but at least Gibson is on board.

“I’m super excited,” he said. “It’s a new chapter, fresh start. I’m excited to prove myself. You have a team and an organization that really wants to get back to playoff hockey. They’ve been so close for a couple years. I’m really privileged and honored to become a part of it all.”

Continued (paywall)