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According to the Free Press’s Bill Laitner, all went well at the premiere of The Russian Five film at the Filmore Detroit on Wednesday night…

A sellout crowd in downtown Detroit was set to cheer and applaud Red Wings hockey Wednesday night — on the silver screen.

Sports buffs as well as mavens of documentary films lined up at The Fillmore Detroit — a short walk from the Wings’ new home at Little Caesars Arena — to view the world premiere of “The Russian Five,” a feature-length film about a quintet of Soviet emigres who, from 1990 to 2003, dotted the Red Wings’ roster to blend speed, finesse, muscle and uncanny synchrony like hockey fans had never seen.

By 1995, coaches had all five often playing at once, and it was their athletic chemistry that largely brought Detroit its first Stanley Cup in 1997 in more than half a century.

At this kickoff of the fifth annual Freep Film Festival, appreciative Red Wings fans said they were there to remember.

“We just love the Russian Five,” said Teresa Orr, 61, of Southgate, attired along with her husband, Ian Orr, 63, in bright Red Wings jerseys.

Ian Orr held a copy of the just-published book with the same title as the film, autographed moments earlier by former Free Press sports writer Keith Gave, who was writer-producer for the film while also writing the book.

Laitner continues; the Free Press posted a 63-image gallery from the premiere, and the Free Press’s Brian McCollum revealed that the Wayne Kramer-scored film will air at the Detroit Institute of Arts on Friday:

8:30 p.m. Thu., Emagine Royal Oak. Sold out.

4 p.m. Fri., Detroit Film Theatre at Detroit Institute of Arts (followed by a concert featuring Wayne Kramer & the Kollaborators). $12, $10 advance

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan shares a locker room clean-out day article this afternoon, speaking with Jimmy Howard regarding the Wings’ underwhelming 2017-18 season performance.

Howard was optimistic about the team’s future, but he didn’t spare himself from criticism regarding this season’s struggles:

“I don’t think it’s too big,” Howard said of how far the gap is for the Red Wings to return to contention. “There’s probably some people out there who’ll probably say a lot (bigger gap), but I don’t think it’s necessarily that big of a margin.

“There’s quite a few reasons why (there were) so many one-goal losses (27). All of us as a group, whether it was not making a smart play or me not coming up with a save, it falls on our shoulders to figure it out.”

Howard was, arguably, one of the Wings’ best players the first half of the season, keeping the Red Wings on the brink of the playoff line.

He was forced to play more games with backup Petr Mrazek not playing well, and then after Mrazek was traded and Jared Coreau struggling after was recalled from Grand Rapids. Howard’s statistics dipped as a result.

His 60 games played were the most since he played 63 games in back-to-back seasons in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Howard was 22-27-9 last season, with a 2.85 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. The losses and GAA were career highs. The save percentage fell considerably from the previous season (.927).

“Statistically, probably no,” Howard said of whether his season was good enough. “Far from it. In this league you want to be somewhere around the .920 save percentage and I wasn’t there.”

Kulfan continues, noting that the Red Wings will probably sign an interim back-up to help Howard along next season…

WJR AM 760’s Frank Beckmann spoke with Red Wings GM Ken Holland this morning, addressing the state of the Wings over the course of a 14-minute interview…

And Mitch Albom spoke with Wings coach Jeff Blashill regarding his retention by the team and the coaching and managerial teams’ plans going forward, over the course of a 7-minute interview:

Of Red Wings-related note this afternoon:

1. The Wings posted a clip of their recent Make-A-Wish guest, Lucas Kellogg from Westland, MI…

2. And DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji spoke with Frans Nielsen regarding the 2018 World Championship, which is being held in Nielsen’s home country of Denmark–and his hometown:

Grand Rapids Griffins announcer Bob Kaser issues something of a “State of the Griffins” while previewing tonight’s Griffins game against the Texas Stars (8:30 PM EDT on WOOD Radio).

Kaser discusses the Griffins’ playoff push, the play and leadership of Matt Ford and Eric Tangradi, and more over the course of the Griffins’ Game Day Preview video:

 

Between the slow but steady emptying of the Wings beat writers’ notebooks from locker room clean-out day, the activities of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Toledo Walleye and other Wings prospects, and the World Championship, we’re going to remain quite busy until mid-to-late May here on TMR.

I’m still going to add a category of “blurb” articles to the docket, however, because this kind of stuff will become more common as spring gives way to summer.

As you probably know by now, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and others have told us that Ken Holland is busier scouting than ever before as a consequential 2018 draft looms, and the Sarnia Observer’s Ryan Pyette reports that Holland wrapped up locker room clean-out day by watching the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers play the Sarnia Sting:

Red Wings GM Ken Holland, fresh off his two-year contract extension this week, was in attendance for scouting purposes. Rangers forward Givani Smith, who parked himself in front of Justin Fazio’s crease all night, is a Detroit prospect

Sarnia won last night’s 2nd round playoff game 4-1, and Smith finished at -1 with 5 shots.

Update: Make that “Blurbs du jour,” via the Free Press’s Greg Crawford’s Metro Detroit weekend planner…

MURRAY HOWE, son of Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, will share stories about life with his father during an appearance Saturday at senior living community Waltonwood Cherry Hill in Canton. Howe, a Toledo radiologist, will speak, answer audience questions and discuss his book “Nine Lessons I Learned from My Father” (Viking, $24.95), which was published last fall. A portion of proceeds from sales of the book at his appearance will go to the Alzheimer’s Association — Greater Michigan Chapter. Howe is devoted to aiding seniors living with Alzheimer’s because both of his parents dealt with dementia in their later years.

2 p.m. Saturday, Waltonwood Cherry Hill, Canton. Seating is limited. RSVP by calling 734-335-1199.

And the Victoria Times-Colonist’s Cleve Dheensaw offered this description of Michael Rasmussen as the big Tri-City Americans forward’s team won 6-5 over the Victoria Royals last night, in no small part due to Rasmussen’s 1-goal, 3-assist performance:

The albatross-like forward Michael Rasmussen of the Americans, selected ninth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2017 NHL draft, was named WHL player of the week and now has five goals and 11 points against the Royals in the series after picking up a goal and three assists Tuesday.

 

MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an intriguing post-locker room clean-out day column this afternoon, discussing Andreas Athanasiou’s potential from the perspectives of both the player himself…

Asked if his compete level has been where it should be, Athanasiou said, “I think I can compete at a high level. I think I can compete in playoffs. I kind of showed that the last time we were in the playoffs (2016) when I got in that Tampa series. I think competing at a high level is very important. There’s a lot of times where the stage is big here and you have to compete on that level, and I think I do a really good job of competing on the big stage and at the highest level.”

And those of his teammates (captain included) and coach:

Zetterberg said on Tuesday that Athanasiou needs to “just keep on the path he is on,” while learning to become a more complete player.

“Compare last year to this year, he played a little bit more minutes,” Zetterberg said. “I still think he is a very productive player.

“But, also, if you see what Dylan (Larkin) did this year, his points went up but also the way he played the game got better. He played both ways. I think that’s something that AA needs to do, too. Obviously, he’s a winger, not a centerman, but if he completes his game on that part, I’m pretty sure his production will do the same.”

Khan continues, noting that Frans Nielsen also believes that AA has more to give…

Last night, the Detroit News’s John Niyo noted that Ken Holland’s most interesting comment during locker room clean-out day involved an acknowledgment of the “brain drain” in the Wings’ front office, and his desire to add to a depleted brain trust.

Today, The Athletic’s Craig Custance offers suggestions as to who the Wings might want to add to complement Holland, Ryan Martin and Kris Draper:

One NHL source also pointed out on Tuesday that Holland has to be careful not to bring in someone angling for his job.

“You have to bring in somebody you like and trust,” said the Western Conference executive. “You have to be a little bit careful there. Most guys won’t do it, but if you have a guy who has any inkling they can take the job, you can get in trouble in a hurry.”

But if the point is to gain fresh perspective, the Red Wings also have to be careful not to bring in an old friend who will just reinforce current beliefs. It’s a fine line.

It’s early in the process, so any candidate names would just be speculation. There are options on the open market, though, if that’s a direction the Red Wings want to go.

The upcoming draft is the biggest in Holland’s tenure, so it would be wise to bring in an executive with draft experience. Former Sabres GM Tim Murray built his reputation through a strong drafting record with the Senators and Ducks. He was also a Red Wings scout for one year early in his career. His skill set would certainly complement those already in the Red Wings front office. He’s fiery, aggressive and eager to implement new technologies in player evaluation, among other attributes.

Custance continues (paywall)…

The Red Wings posted a 1:40 video thanking fans for their passion and patronage during the 2017-18 season:

Update: Here’s the Twitter version:

“We have such amazing fans here. I just think that shows the history in this city and the organization that this has been for so many years.” #LGRWpic.twitter.com/vUnltJjZTe

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 11, 2018

 

WDFN’s Matt Sheppard spoke with Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill this morning, speaking with the Wings’ head coach for 12 minutes: