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Griffins recap: Grand Rapids drops a Saturday decision to Chicago

The Grand Rapids Griffins dropped a 5-2 decision to the Chicago Wolves on Saturday night. Here’s the Griffins website’s recap:

GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS 2 at Chicago Wolves 5

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Grand Rapids Griffins fell 5-2 to the Chicago Wolves behind a hat trick from Scott Morrow on Saturday at Allstate Arena. 

Sheldon Dries scored his seventh goal of the year and earned two points in the game (1-1—2). Dominik Shine cashed in the Griffins’ third power-play goal in the last three outings and goaltender Carter Gylander made his second start of the season, saving 33 shots. 

The Wolves tallied their first goal when Justin Robidas scored at 8:10 in the first period. Grand Rapids evened the score when Dries found the back of the net on a breakaway with 5:29 left in the frame. A pass off the boards from Joe Snively found Dries in the left circle and he snapped the puck past the pads of Dustin Tokarski. This was the Griffins’ first and only shot attempt of the period compared to Chicago’s 17. The tie was short-lived as Morrow regained the lead for the Wolves with one second remaining in the first. 

Chicago increased its lead to two at 9:01 in the second frame when Austin Wagner cashed in. Amadeus Lombardi attempted to bring the Griffins within striking distance as he glided through Chicago defenders for a wide-open look at 5:04, but his shot deflected off Tokarski. 

The Wolves scored their fourth goal just 1:47 into the final period as Morrow tallied his second of the outing. However, Shine pulled Grand Rapids within two thanks to a power-play goal at 17:32. The Griffins pulled Gylander at 18:38 but Morrow scored an empty-net goal to complete his hat trick with 57 seconds remaining. Grand Rapids couldn’t find the back of the net and fell 5-2. 

Continued with a photo gallery and Chicago Wolves highlights:

Tweet of note: Bobble bobble

Today is Dylan Larkin bobblehead day at Little Caesars Arena, so the Red Wings had the team examine a life-sized Larkin bobblehead after Saturday’s practice:

Scouting the Stadium Series

NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika did some advance scouting of the “Stadium Series” game between Detroit and Columbus on March 1st by taking in Saturday’s U of M-Ohio State game:

The Michigan-Ohio State football rivalry isn’t just a game. It is known as “The Game.” The emotion boiled over after the Wolverines upset the Buckeyes 13-10 in front of 106,005 at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, the teams scrapping at midfield. When a Michigan player paraded with his school flag, an Ohio State player ripped it down.

You could joke that a hockey game broke out.

Funny, because a hockey game will break out in that very spot when the Columbus Blue Jackets host the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on March 1. This time, “The Team Up North” will be the Detroit Red Wings.

“It’ll be awesome,” said A.J. Hawk, the former Ohio State linebacker, whose brother-in-law is Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson, a Michigan product. “It’s always cool to watch [the Stadium Series on television], and the whole Ohio State-Michigan situation adds a whole other element to it. I know people in Ohio and people in Michigan kind of have deep feelings about it one way or another, so it’s going to be great.”

Even if you’re just a casual sports fan, your bucket list should include a Michigan-Ohio State football game and an NHL outdoor game. The Blue Jackets’ first outdoor game will combine the two. The NHL tries to make each event special by tailoring it to the venue, so expect the League to lean into Ohio State football tradition and “The Game.”

After all, people here sing a song called, “We Don’t Give a Damn for the Whole State of Michigan.” They cover the letter “M” with an “X” everywhere during Michigan week. Even the Blue Jackets did it this week on X, formerly known as Twitter. Will people do it to the letter “D” to diss Detroit for the Stadium Series?

Continued

Kind-of-sort-of praise for Cam Talbot’s fantasy hockey value

The Hockey News’s Michael Amato posted some kind-of-sort-of praise for Cam Talbot in Amato’s fantasy hockey notes:

Cam Talbot isn’t getting enough credit for what he’s done this season. At 37, Talbot is still very fantasy-relevant with a .916 save percentage and a winning record on a mediocre Detroit Red Wings squad. This is the second year in a row Talbot has started strong out of the gates, as he was an All-Star last season for the Los Angeles Kings. One thing to watch for with Talbot is he may hit a wall again at some point like he did in 2023-24, so make sure you have a contingency plan if the quality starts dry up.

Continued

Red Wings-Canucks game-day previews

The Detroit Red Wings face off against the Vancouver Canucks today at 12:30 PM EST (FanDuel SportsNet Detroit/Sportsnet Pacific/Sportsnet One/97.1 FM), and the 10-11-and-2 Red Wings will have a difficult challenge in the 12-7-and-2 Canucks.

Vancouver is 9-and-2 on the road this season, and goaltender Kevin Lankinen, the presumptive starter, is 9-and-0 on the road.

As far as the Hockey News’s Adam Kierszenblat believes that the Canucks will set historical records today…

It will be an early start for the Vancouver Canucks (12-7-3) on Sunday as they take on the Detroit Red Wings (10-11-2) for the first time this season. In 2023-24, these two teams split the season series, with each picking up a win on home ice. With a win, Vancouver would improve to 10-2-0 on the road while picking up their fourth win on the current road trip. 

unday’s game could feature multiple historic moments. Not only is Quinn Hughes one assist away from becoming the franchise’s all-time leader for assists by a defenceman, but if he starts, Kevin Lankinen could become the first goaltender in NHL history to start a season 10-0-0 on the road. While it will require a full team effort, both records could easily be set against the Red Wings.

VancouverCanucks.com’s Chris Faber posted a game preview yesterday…

Continue reading Red Wings-Canucks game-day previews

Talking Trouba again

I guess we’re going to start talking about Jacob Trouba again. The Hockey News’s Michael DeRosa suggests that the Red Wings are the “best fit” should the New York Rangers decide to trade their captain:

The Detroit Red Wings were heavily linked to Trouba during this past off-season, so they are a clear team to watch in the sweepstakes. They have had a tough start to the season, as their 10-11-2 record demonstrates. They have also won only four out of their last ten games, so GM Steve Yzerman could look to make a move soon.

There’s no question that the Red Wings could use a defender like Trouba right now. The Rochester, Mich. native would provide them an upgrade for their second pairing and would instantly become a significant part of their penalty kill if acquired. 

If Trouba is more open to a move to the Red Wings this season, they could be the perfect landing spot for the veteran. 

Continued; there’s a “fit” here, but salary cap gymnastics would be needed, and compensation would be an issue–as would Trouba’s 15-team no-trade list.

HSJ in the morning: on Cam Talbot’s journey to Detroit

This morning, the Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses Cam Talbot reaching his 500th career game this past Friday vs. New Jersey, as well as Talbot’s value to the Wings’ team and locker room:

He wasn’t drafted (neither was Lyon) but instead signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers in 2010. From there began an NHL career that also had stopovers with the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings. His inauspicious beginnings and well-traveled journey play into why it was so special to reach the milestone. (He’s the 82nd goaltender in NHL history to get there.)

“It’s remarkable, especially since his career started a little bit later in the NHL,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “He wasn’t playing in the league at 18, 19. It’s just impressive. I think it speaks volumes of him, his approach. He’s a true professional. He was not the most highly touted goalie coming out of college. The way he kind of built his career — the character along with the competitor and the talent, you can see why he got to this point, to this milestone in his career.”

Talbot’s .916 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average this season rank in the top four among Canadian goaltenders with at least 10 games played, which should put Talbot on the radar for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament in February (replacing the NHL All-Star Game), with the roster to be announced Wednesday. It would be another nod of recognition for a goaltender who has forged an impressive career.

“I just always try to come to the rink with a good attitude, good work ethic, and try to do whatever I can every day to try get better, and that’s what I’ve been doing my whole career,’ Talbot said. “Never let anything deter me from going out there and doing everything I possibly can. Being undrafted and taking the route I took makes it that much more special. I just humbly appreciate every day.”

Continued; St. James posted a video of Talbot and captain Dylan Larkin discussing Talbot’s tenure with the Wings thus far:

A bit of ‘could’a, would’a, should’a’ regarding the 2018 draft

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses the Red Wings’ decision to draft Filip Zadina over a slate of defensive help that could have stabilized the Wings’ blueline in the 2018 draft:

Sunday, as the Vancouver Canucks arrive in town to play the Red Wings, there on the ice will be current Norris Trophy holder Quinn Hughes. Someone who was playing in Detroit’s backyard, all Hughes has done as an NHLer is score 48 goals – seven more than Zadina – and collect 358 points.

Vancouver took Hughes with the seventh overall pick. Still, word within Red Wings circles post draft was that had Zadina not been available, Hughes wouldn’t have been their choice. Detroit GM Ken Holland was said to be leaning toward Evan Bouchard.

Again, not a bad option. Holland ultimately got to see what Bouchard could do after taking over as GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton was making Bouchard the 10th overall selection. His account shows 48 goals as an NHLer. Once again, more than Zadina.

A third stud defender would be chosen 12th overall by the New York Islanders. That was Noah Dobson. While the Red Wings were managing a sweep of the Islanders in three games this season, that wasn’t Dobson’s fault. He’s a presence at both ends of the ice. He’s physically imposing in the defensive zone and possessing offensive acumen. Dobson’s NHL resume shows 41 goals and more than 200 points.

Continued; I have considered this debate many times, and it sure does suck that Tyler Wright and Ken Holland chose to pick Zadina over the defensemen they needed…

But it happened, and all the Red Wings can do about it is draft better in the future.

Duff: Botched coach’s challenge concerning for Lalonde’s future

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses coach’s Derek Lalonde’s tenuous tenure with the Red Wings:

What has to have Yzerman and the rest of the Red Wings brass more than a little concerned is Lalonde’s decision to make a coach’s challenge on New Jersey’s first goal during the Devils’ 5-4 victory over Detroit on Friday.

Certainly, it was clear there was contact between Detroit goalie Cam Talbot and Devils forward Stefan Noesen at the net front. What was appearing to be almost as clear to the naked eye was that it was Talbot moving out of the blue paint into white ice who was initiating contact with Noesen.

At the best of times, which way a goalie interference call is going to go is a toss up. In this instance, there didn’t look to be much hope of the goal being overturned.

“I think our group would challenge that 100 out of 100 times,” Lalonde insisted.

Detroit was leading 2-0 at the time of the first Devils goal. The Wings were playing a strong period up until that point. Making a decision that was putting the NHL’s worst penalty-killing unit back on the ice was a risk not worth taking. And it backfired spectacularly whrn the New Jersey power play scored again to make it 2-2.

“Unfortunately, it was a pretty big turning point,” Lalonde was admitting . . . “it was a huge momentum.”

Continued; to me, it’s a “shit happens” decision that Lalonde made, and I don’t think it’s going to cost him his job. Yet.