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!

Thursday Wings practice videos: WXYZ’s Galli on Merrill; Fox 2’s Woodriffe on Wings hitting the ground running

WXYZ Channel 7 and Fox 2 Detroit both filed video reports on Red Wings training camp on Thursday evening, with WXYZ’s Brad Galli discussing Jon Merrill’s decision to sign with the Red Wings…

And Fox 2’s Woody Woodriffe filed a 1:30 report regarding the Red Wings’ training camp hitting its stride on Thursday afternoon:

Prospect round-up: Seider 1+3, Veleno scores on a busy SHL Thursday

Of prospect-related note:

In the SHL, Elmer Soderblom and Lucas Raymond returned to the Frolunda Indians’ lineup, but Frolunda dropped a 3-0 decision to Lulea Hockey.

Soderblom finished even in 7:09 of time, slotted in the roster’s 13th forward’s spot; Raymond finished at -1 with 1 shot in 14:46 played;

Joe Veleno scored a goal on two shots, finishing at +1 in 16:42 played as the Malmo Redhawks won 4-1 over Orebro Hockey:

Jonatan Berggren finished even with 1 shot in 16:21 played as Skelleftea AIK lost 2-0 to the Vaxjo Lakers;

Albin Grewe didn’t play in Djurgardens IF’s 4-3 loss to IK Oskarshamn;

Albert Johansson finished at +2 with 1 shot in 11:42 played as Farjestads BK won 5-4 in overtime over Rogle BK. Moritz Seider scored a goal and had 3 assists, finishing at +3 with 2 shots in 22:32 played for Rogle:

Continue reading Prospect round-up: Seider 1+3, Veleno scores on a busy SHL Thursday

Training camp, Day 5: post-practice media availabilities

From the Athletic’s Max Bultman comes the new “upper-body injury” and “lower-body injury” term for this season:

Svechnikov gets the “unfit to practice” designation — which, again, covers injury and illness. Certainly, we all saw him come off the ice with an apparent injury, but it sounds like that’s the only designation we’re going to get out of the team for anyone missing practice.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 7, 2021

Jeff Blashill says he prefers Filip Hronek on the left flank of the power play, which makes a lot of sense with Hronek’s one-timer ability. That certainly explains why it’s been DeKeyser up top on the Mantha/Larkin power-play unit. We’ll see if that sticks, though— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 7, 2021

Jeff Blashill had no update on Red Wings F Evgeny Svechnikov (looked like injured R arm in scrimmage). Said he’s “unfit,” per what NHL wants teams to say.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) January 7, 2021

Jeff Blashill said his wallet is heavier after USA gold medal victory at #IIHFWorldJuniors Thanked Kris Draper for contribution.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) January 7, 2021

Here’s Fox Sports Detroit’s pre-season teaser, too:

Continue reading Training camp, Day 5: post-practice media availabilities

Training camp Day 5, second group: Bultman reports that Elson is skating, but Svechnikov is not

Not the greatest news from Tuesday’s scrimmage as the Red Wings’ “second group” of players practices at the BELFOR Training Center:

Turner Elson, who left the Red Wings first scrimmage early, is on the ice with Detroit’s second camp group.

Evgeny Svechnikov is not. Will ask for an update when they are off the ice.— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) January 7, 2021

97.1 the Ticket reports Wyshynski as ranking Wings least-watchable team in the NHL

Per 97.1 the Ticket:

For the fifth year in a row, the Red Wings enter the season without legitimate playoff aspirations. For the third year in a row — since the retirement of Henrik Zetterberg — they enter the season without any legitimate stars. These are the realities of a rebuild.

For fans close to the team, the Wings remain mildly intriguing. They have a core of young players worth watching, with more on the way. From a national perspective, they’re as bland as it gets.

Which is why in a ranking of the NHL’s most watchable teams this season, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski slotted the Red Wings last. 31 out of 31.

Wyshynski rated each team on a scale of 1-10 in five categories: star power, secondary plot lines, controversy quotient, fun factor and aesthetics. The Red Wings got a 5 or lower in every category except aesthetics (8), including a 2 in star power. No other team was lower than 4 in that department.

Wyshynski’s article is an ESPN+ piece, so here’s what he had to say:

Detroit Red Wings

Star power: 2
Secondary plot lines: 4
Controversy quotient: 2
Fun factor: 4
Aesthetics: 8
Overall watchability rating: 20

The Red Wings’ rebuild will continue as morale improves. Due respect to Dylan Larkin, but this remains a franchise in search of a focal point player. Are we interested in seeing how Filip Zadina develops and how Bobby Ryan continues on his journey? Sure. Are we interested in seeing the Red Wings on most nights of a truncated season? No. Great jerseys, though.

Here’s hoping that the Red Wings are at least marginally more watchable this season.

Training camp, day 5, first group: Helm still unfit to play; Wings shake up defensive pairs

Per MLive’s Ansar Khan…

Continue reading Training camp, day 5, first group: Helm still unfit to play; Wings shake up defensive pairs

Griffins’ coach Ben Simon preparing for unique challenges this season

Grand Rapids Griffins coach Ben Simon spoke with the Detroit and Grand Rapids media corps for over 16 minutes on Wednesday afternoon…

And MLive’s Steve Kaminski reports that Simon noted that this year’s AHL season, which will only constitute 28 games for the Griffins, will present unique challenges:

Simon said there are plenty of challenges ahead as the Griffins get back to work. He added that those challenges will be much different than the ones teams across the league have faced in the past.

“The biggest thing is just being smart with your decisions,” Simon said. “I don’t know when the vaccine is going to be available for the guys in Grand Rapids and the staff. Assuming that we don’t, you have to be as smart as you can and not put yourself in a bad spot so not to be exposed to this virus as much as possible.

“As far as other things, there are a lot of firsts. It’s a first for having a taxi squad and all the testing and different protocols. I think getting a little bit acclimated to how we are going to work with all of that, and we are going to be doing less road trips. We are going to be transitioning into a newer model schedule this year. The players are going to have to change their routines and practice routines a little bit.”

Continued