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Nice timing, Civian

I can only laugh at the timing of Bleacher Report’s Sara Civian declaring the Red Wings a 2026 offseason loser:

Loser: The Red Wings

Nothing quite tells you you’re “losing” the offseason like firing your franchise legend of a GM after nearly a decade of stagnation and failure to make the playoffs.

This offseason has been a mess for the Red Wings, and things got messier — but likely better in the long run — as they announced the firing of GM Steve Yzerman on Wednesday morning.

Let’s take a look at the conundrum he found himself in that the next GM will inherit.

Continue reading Nice timing, Civian

Some initial thoughts regarding the Yzerman news

So the Red Wings have moved Steve Yzerman to the role of senior advisor to CEO and Governor Chris Ilitch.

The Wings need a new GM.

Here are some Twitter thoughts about the situation.

What are your thoughts?

TMR’s raising funds for property taxes

I wasn’t going to “blog for free” forever. This blog continues to remain commercial-free, and I’m committed to keeping it that way, but that means that you have to put up with me asking for $ from time to time.

This time around, Aunt Annie and I are requesting assistance for what is an existential issue–remaining in our home.

Aunt Annie and I live on subsistence wages. Between her Social Security check and my State of Michigan paycheck from Adult Services (I thankfully get paid for taking care of her), we make just enough money to barely pay our monthly bills, and no more. We’re a low-income household, and that’s why I can’t do this blog for free.

So we’ve really struggled with paying our property taxes since my mom died six and-a-half years ago. Some years, we’ve been able to get help from our family and friends; last year, Aunt Annie had her jewelry collection melted down so that we could remain in our 55-and-up condominium complex.

This year, we’re “on our own,” so I’ve started a GoFundMe to help us pay the property taxes.

Continue reading TMR’s raising funds for property taxes

Breaking news: Red Wings transition Steve Yzerman from General Manger to Senior Advisor to Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch

A shocker:

RED WINGS ANNOUNCE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION 

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today announced a change in hockey operations leadership, with Steve Yzerman transitioning from his role as Executive Vice President and General Manager. Yzerman will continue serving the organization as senior advisor to Governor and CEO, Chris Ilitch. A search for a new head of hockey operations is underway.

“Steve’s lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express, and I have the highest level of respect for his continued commitment to our organization,” said Ilitch. “We are thankful for Steve’s hard work and dedication as General Manager and are grateful knowing Steve will remain where he belongs – here with the Red Wings family.”   

“I am sincerely grateful to Chris and the entire Ilitch family,” said Yzerman. “This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as General Manager. I’ve appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I’m extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise.”

Continue reading Breaking news: Red Wings transition Steve Yzerman from General Manger to Senior Advisor to Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch

Dylan Larkin’s play and contract yield a high trade price that’s ‘Not BS’

Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson fires up his “BS Meter” this morning, determining whether the hype regarding 5 significant offseason storylines matches the importance of each individual story. One of his significant stories is the Dylan Larkin situation:

Have the Detroit Red Wings Set Too High a Price for Dylan Larkin?

On June 5, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin had requested a trade. Two days later, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported the 29-year-old center listed the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers as his preferred destinations.

MLive.com’s Ansar Khan reported on July 9 that Larkin had expanded his list to include the Dallas Stars. However, it doesn’t appear the Red Wings are close to moving the two-way center.

Continue reading Dylan Larkin’s play and contract yield a high trade price that’s ‘Not BS’

Augustine, Postava earn praise in The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s Top 20 NHL goalie prospects rankings

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler follows up his Top 100 drafted skater prospects list with a list of the Top 20 NHL goalie prospects this morning.

Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine finishes 3rd–with Montreal’s Jacob Fowler and San Jose’s Joshua Ravensbergen ahead of the Wings’ Michigan State University product—and Michal Postava finishes 18th:

Trey Augustine

Height: 6′ 1″

Weight: 194 Ibs

DOB: Feb. 23, 2005

One of my favorite prospects in hockey, Augustine is the definition of calm, cool and collected, and, for me, the best goalie prospect to come through the national program since Spencer Knight. He was a big reason for Michigan State’s revival as a top program, finishing this season as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker and winning the Big Ten’s goalie of the year award. And while he started his pro career 0-2-0 with a .878 save percentage in his first two AHL games, I watched both and felt he looked fine. The trade of Sebastian Cossa and the pending graduation of Michal Postava have opened the door for him to get a real run with Grand Rapids next year.

Continue reading Augustine, Postava earn praise in The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s Top 20 NHL goalie prospects rankings

The Red Wings’ ‘Team Reset’ requires a resolution to the Dylan Larkin situation

NHL.com checks in on the Detroit Red Wings via a mid-summer “Team Reset,” and NHL.com’s Wes Crosby surmises that Detroit’s “reset” is not yet finished:

What they still need

A resolution to the Dylan Larkin saga. The 29-year-old center and Detroit captain requested a trade after last season, which became public knowledge June 4. As it stands, Larkin remains with the Red Wings and has five years left on an eight-year, $69.9 million contract he signed with Detroit on March 1, 2023. General manager Steve Yzerman has indicated he doesn’t feel pressured to grant the request and would be comfortable retaining Larkin if the right trade doesn’t materialize.

They said it

“My job as the manager of the Detroit Red Wings is always to do what is in the best interest of the Detroit Red Wings, and I will act accordingly to that. I cannot make any guarantees, or did not make any guarantees, that that request could or would be met.” — general manager Steve Yzerman on Larkin’s trade request

EDGE stat to watch

Defenseman Moritz Seider ranked fourth in the NHL in total skating distance (299.85 miles) last season and had one of the more robust EDGE profiles in terms of his shooting metrics; he was second in long-range shots on goal (115; behind Darren Raddysh’s 130), tied for fourth in long-range goals (six) and ranked in the 93rd percentile or higher at his position in average shot speed (72.70 mph), hardest shot (98.93 mph) and mid-range shots on goal (38). Another standout in terms of shot metrics is Alex DeBrincat, who ranked third in mid-range shots on goal (118) and in the 95th percentile or higher among forwards in both high-danger goals (20) and mid-range goals (12) last season. — Troy Perlowitz

Continued; Crosby still has Larkin lining up as the Red Wings’ #1 center, and I realize that there is some probability that he remains a Red Wing into October…

But I sure as hell hope that, if a trade is not consummated by the time the regular season begins, Larkin is told to stay home.

Press release: Larry Keenan, Owen Mehlenbacher named ‘Hockey East 2025-2026 All-Academic Team’ members

The University of Massachusetts posted a press release in which it’s revealed that both Red Wings prospects Larry Keenan and Owen Mehlenbacher have been named “Hockey East 2025-2026 All-Academic Team” members:

Twenty-one Massachusetts hockey student-athletes have been named to the Hockey East 2025-26 Men’s All-Academic Team, the league office announced recently. The Minutemen were among 218 student-athletes across Hockey East that achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or better in each academic period during which they were actively competing.

Continue reading Press release: Larry Keenan, Owen Mehlenbacher named ‘Hockey East 2025-2026 All-Academic Team’ members

A quick glance at the Wings’ WHL prospects

The Hockey News’s Colton Davies discusses Red Wings prospects and 2026 draft picks JP Hurlbert and Michal Orsulak as the constituent members of Detroit’s “WHL Prospect Pool.” Carter Bear is considered a “graduate” as he’s turning pro this upcoming season:

During the 2026 NHL Draft, the Red Wings went back to their trusted western roots, selecting J.P. Hurlbert and Michal Orsulak.

Hurlbert represents a massive injection of elite offensive talent into the Red Wings’ system. The dynamic winger put together a historic debut season for the Kamloops Blazers, racking up 42 goals and 55 assists for 97 points. Those gaudy numbers led all WHL rookies and earned him the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the league’s Rookie of the Year.

Hurlbert is heading to the University of Michigan this fall…

Orsulak was targeted by Detroit to further bolster their impressive goaltending depth. Ranked as the second-best North American goaltender on NHL Central Scouting’s final list, the Czech netminder was a workhorse for the Prince Albert Raiders. He posted a sparkling 28-4-4 record, backed by a .907 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average.

Among the notable recent picks are Everett Silvertips forward Carter Bear and former Blazers captain Emmitt Finnie. The Red Wings’ patient development model is already paying dividends, as Finnie successfully made the jump to Detroit’s NHL roster this season, while Bear continued to hone his all-around game back in Everett and tallied 77 points in 53 games to help Everett capture the WHL Championship.

Continued

The Minnesota Wild may be ‘waiting it out’ for Dylan Larkin

The Athletic’s Joe Smith provides a Minnesota Wild-centric update regarding one Dylan Larkin:

Is Dylan Larkin still in play? What are the backup options?

Larkin is still in play, though things have been pretty quiet on that end. Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is clearly being patient, looking for the right return for the face of his franchise. Yzerman said during a rare media availability around the NHL Draft that there’s no guarantee he will follow through on Larkin’s trade request. We’ve seen him hold his ground before. It certainly wouldn’t surprise us if September arrives and Larkin hasn’t moved. Ansar Khan of MLive.com reported that Larkin extended his list of preferred teams by one, adding the Dallas Stars to a group that includes the Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers.

According to Smith, the Wild appear to be ready to “wait out” the Red Wings while their other trade partners make summertime moves…

Continue reading The Minnesota Wild may be ‘waiting it out’ for Dylan Larkin