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Prospect preseason: Eddie Genborg scores 2 goals for Timra IK

Hockeysverige.se’s Konrad Gronlund reports that Red Wings prospect and 44th overall 2025 draft pick Eddie Genborg impressed in his first preseason game with Timra IK of the SHL, scoring two goals in an exhibition win over Skelleftea AIK.

IceHockeyGifs and Red Wings Prospects were all over Genborg’s first preseason goal:

Tweet of note: Kienan Draper named alternate captain for U of M hockey team

Red Wings prospect and University of Michigan senior Kienan Draper has been named an alternate captain for U of M this season:

Draper, 23, will face a pivotal season as the 6’2,” 209-pound right wing attempts to earn a bigger role on the Wolverines’ roster as he aims to earn a pro contract.

Khan weighs in on the Red Wings’ next retired numbers

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff weighed in on the Red Wings’ next potential retired numbers this morning, and this afternoon, MLive’s Ansar Khan discusses the same topic:

It figures to be Pavel Datsyuk’s 13 or Henrik Zetterberg’s 40, perhaps both together, which would seem fitting. Each spent his entire NHL career in Detroit, and their careers overlapped considerably – Datsyuk from 2001-02 to 2015-16 and Zetterberg from 2002-03 to 2017-18, and their statistics are similar.

Datsyuk was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024, his first year of eligibility. All nine Red Wings who’ve had their numbers retired, including Fedorov, are in the Hall. Zetterberg has not yet been selected to the Hall of Fame but appears to have a good chance.

Zetterberg ranks sixth in games (1,082) and fifth in goals (337), assists (623) and points (960) in franchise history. Datsyuk ranks ninth in games (953), eighth in goals (314), sixth in assists (604) and seventh in points (918) among Red Wings.

Both were top-notch defensive players; Datsyuk won the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward three times (from 2008 to 2010).

Goaltender Chris Osgood’s No. 30 is another jersey the franchise might consider retiring. Osgood ranks second to Sawchuk in games (565) and wins (317 of his 401) in club history. He won two Stanley Cups as a starter (1998 and 2008) and another as a back-up (1997).

Continued (paywall); I’m still a big believer in a “Ring of Honor” or Red Wings Hall of Fame to give players who were important to the franchise but aren’t quite headed to the rafters.

Griffins coach Dan Watson offers praise for Emmitt Finnie’s potential

Red Wings prospect and forward Emmitt Finnie doesn’t get a lot of press as he was the 201st overall draft pick in 2023, but the 6’1,” 203-pound winger has earned oodles of praise from Red Wings director of player development Dan Cleary for his professionalism and talent.

Finnie was the captain of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers last season, and he he posted 37 goals and 47 assists for 84 points in only 55 games. Then he headed to Grand Rapids, posting a goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 10 regular-season games, and he played in the Griffins’ 3-game playoff series against Texas as well.

Today, the Hockey News’s Jake Tye offers more praise for Finnie from Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson:

“I think Emmitt Finnie is a guy, he’s a seventh round pick, but every time I see him, he continually gets better and better, he gets bigger, he gets stronger,” Watson explained “[Finnie] had a great Western Hockey League career, stepped in two years ago with us and played three games and wasn’t expected to play any games but did quite well during his playing time.”

Finnie, 20, has played a limited number of games with the Griffins over the past two seasons but has made the most of his opportunities, recording a goal and four assists for five points in 13 appearances. He spent his junior career in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers, showing steady development from a slow start in his rookie year, when he couldn’t find the back of the net but recorded six assists through his first 48 games.

…

Watson noted that Finnie has been used in multiple roles and with versatility, that could open the door to more opportunities higher in the lineup. He added that he’s eager to see how the hardworking Finnie has developed over the offseason as he prepares for his first full season under Watson’s guidance. 

“He adds the ability to skate and play both wing and center so I’m excited to see how his summer went and to see what he looks like,” Watson commented “[Finnie] puts in the work he’s driven to get better and so I’m really looking forward to see what he has this year.”

Continued; Finnie definitely has to battle both the odds and the fact that he’s not the biggest fellow by today’s NHL standards, but if he continues to improve his skating and consistency, he’s going to be one of those players who “comes out of nowhere” and succeeds because of his brains and guts.

Sergei Fedorov speaks with RG.com about his number 91’s retirement, leaving Detroit, and his future

Former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov spoke with RG.com’s Sergey Demidov and Quinn Allen regarding his #91 being retired by the Red Wings, and much more:

The Detroit Red Wings will retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 on Jan. 12, 2026, during the franchise’s centennial season. In a wide-ranging conversation with RG, the three-time Stanley Cup champion reflects on the call from ownership, old business disputes, leaving for Anaheim, and what comes next—while Detroit’s history with No. 91 comes into full view.

The news reached Fedorov on Tuesday. It was a call from Red Wings owner and CEO Christopher Ilitch.

“The day before, I had been told to expect a call,” Fedorov said. “I understood the general idea but didn’t ask too many questions. I’ve always had a good, respectful relationship with the organization. The next day, I got a message saying that Chris Ilitch would be calling me. My heart immediately started beating faster.”

“When we spoke, we first exchanged the usual questions about how things were going, how our families were doing, and then he shared the news with me. Honestly, in the first three or four minutes of the conversation, I wasn’t 100 percent sure where it was headed. But then he started listing all of our victories, our achievements, and how long it took to get there. At that moment, it took my breath away. Memories rushed back—our struggles, our bumps along the road, and of course that unforgettable parade of emotions after winning our first Stanley Cup.

Fedorov admits that he still feels that leaving for Anaheim in the summer of 2003 was the right thing to do, though he doesn’t share the rationale for doing so…

But he also states that he was “always a Red Wing” in his heart, and he offers this regarding his potential future:

With the number retirement settled, could there be a formal tie to the organization beyond the alumni circuit? Fedorov doesn’t push, but he won’t hesitate if asked.

“That’s a fair thought. If Detroit’s management wants me involved professionally, I’d be happy to do it. I’d gladly share my experience, mentor young players, and help raise the next generation of Red Wings champions.”

“I don’t know all the details [on the ceremony] yet. What I do know is that I’ll have around 50 close friends and family with me. They’ll be coming from all over the world, not just Russia. As for the rest—that’s up to the organizers.”

Continued; Sergei has always been an enigmatic figure, and he remains one even after reading this interview.

Six Red Wings prospects named in EliteProspects’ Top 100 NHL-affiliated skater prospects list

EliteProspects’ Mitch Brown offers a list of his top 100 NHL-affiliated skater prospects this morning, with players’ “future values” weighed, and Calder Trophy eligibility shaping the list.

Here are the Red Wings’ 6 representatives on the list, which strikes me as a bit jumbled:

#20 Carter Bear

It’s Game 7 every night for Carter Bear. He plays with unmatched energy, engaging in every battle and leaving nothing to chance. With heavy hits, subtle physical skills, and a high-end defensive game, he’s a coach’s dream. Plus, he has a ton of offence. He’s a skilled net-front scorer and, increasingly, a top-end playmaker. He makes high-skill one-touch plays, deceives opponents to create lanes, and uses every option on the rink. Bear’s skating mechanics limit his ability to separate and complete plays at times, but players with this level of determination and intelligence find a way. He’s a potential top-six forward, built for the playoffs. 

…

#27 Axel Sandin Pellikka

Axel Sandin-Pellikka joined the ranks of the very best SHL defencemen last season. While his defensive mechanics have improved steadily over the past few years, it’s still the borderline high-end skating ability, the phenomenal activation instincts, and the premier puck-moving capabilities that drive Sandin-Pellikka’s value as a prospect. He’s a legitimate dual-threat weapon on the power play, too, someone who could effectively quarterback a unit for the Red Wings as early as next season. While the league is moving away from sub-6-foot defencemen, Sandin-Pellikka has all of the required qualities to become the exception that proves the rule and an integral part of the Red Wings’ top-four.

#63 Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

While Michael Brandsegg-Nygård’s breakout at the SHL level was left half-finished, rumours about his demise as a prospect have been greatly exaggerated. Even if one could argue he was owed more on the scoresheet based on his play, his NHL projection never relied on him being a top-end offensive producer in the first place. His physical game and forechecking abilities still remain high-end assets and will allow him to quickly become a fan favourite as he makes the move to the AHL for the upcoming season. Given his shooting prowess and budding playmaking improvements, it wouldn’t surprise us if he bounced back offensively, too. There’s still the makings of a complementary two-way top-nine winger for the Red Wings.

Continue reading Six Red Wings prospects named in EliteProspects’ Top 100 NHL-affiliated skater prospects list

Tweet of note: Recalling Fedorov’s 5-goal game

On December 26th, 1996, Sergei Fedorov scored all 5 goals in Detroit’s 5-4 win over the Washington Capitals, and some argue that it was his best individual performance…during a regular season game.

A Fedorov 5-game plan

Well, it is what it is…And this is how the Red Wings are selling single-game tickets to the Sergei Fedorov game on January 12th.

Five years from now, the Red Wings are (theoretically) a playoff team

Daily Faceoff’s Paul Pidutti attempted to discern the likely NHL standings and Cup winner in 2029-2030, and he’s envisioning the Red Wings as a playoff team, at least:

#11. Detroit Red Wings

2030 Controlled Core: Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin
No Longer Under Contract: Alex DeBrincat, John Gibson, Patrick Kane

I’m a believer that Seider and Raymond can be the best defenseman and forward on a Stanley Cup winner. Larkin’s wheels should allow him to average 30 goals for another half-decade. Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, and solid goaltending prospects will be part of the future Motown core. This franchise is peaking toward 2030. Their relatively low slot here is two-fold: 1. Absent a game-breaking, 100-point stud, the Wings will need to be deeper than other teams; and 2. Respected GM Steve Yzerman’s free agency gambles have mostly flopped. Adding outside talent efficiently will be critical to chase Cups.

Continued; it’s hard to disagree that the Red Wings need to land a goal-scoring free agent over the next 5 years. Detroit needs to import a star or two on the UFA marketplace, and that’s not going to be easy.

Overstating the pressure on Yzerman

The Hockey News’s Adam Proteau suggests that there are “Five GM’s with the most to prove in 2025-2026,” and of course Steve Yzerman is on his list…

Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings

Yzerman has a ton of pressure to prove himself in Detroit. The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for the past nine seasons, and although Yzerman has only been GM for six of them, there’s not much time left to be patient.

Yzerman’s was an on-ice legend with the Red Wings, and he’s had a lot of trust and time to rebuild the roster and develop a new Stanley Cup contender. But Red Wings fans accustomed to decades of playoff appearances and four Cup wins in the last 30 years are clearly nearing their wits’ end watching this team flail and wail.

Yzerman won’t have much longer to prove to Wings fans that his blueprint for success is working. If there is more misery this coming season, you’d have to think Yzerman’s time running the team will be coming to an end.

If he gets the Red Wings into the playoffs this year, Yzerman buys himself more time. But if Detroit is once again on the outside of the post-season picture looking in, Yzerman will be looking to prove himself a top-tier GM with another organization.

Continued; of course Yzerman is under pressure, but I cannot reiterate this enough: Yzerman is not going anywhere.

As long as Mrs. Ilitch and Chris Ilitch own the team, the “Yzerplan” will be seen through until its conclusion, and Yzerman will be the team’s GM for as long as he wants to be the team’s GM.