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Dylan Larkin’s breaking through at the Four Nations Face-Off

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis praises Dylan Larkin as Team USA’s “secret weapon” during the Four Nations Face-Off:

Just about every night, he’s been consistently near the top in most notable advanced categories. According to SportContract, Larkin has an expected goals-for percentage of 64.0 and a Corsi-for of 56.5 percent. He’s doing it while averaging 14:29 a night, too. Larkin has two points in three games, with both coming against Canada to help USA earn a berth in the final. His 78 percent Corsi-for percentage against Sweden, though – USA’s lone loss – was equally as impressive.

But two things you can’t quantify on a scoresheet that make him vital to USA’s success are his speed and his work ethic.

It can be difficult to mold an all-star team together, especially with USA boasting some of its best depth ever seen. When Larkin made the team, it was to play a role. He was a good fit because he’s energetic and looks to make opponents accountable every time they touch the puck. Larkin isn’t the flashiest most skilled guy and not necessarily the one who’s going to score that huge goal in the dying seconds when you need it most. But you can throw him into any situation and feel confident about him, and that’s what you need in a showcase event like the 4 Nations Face-Off.

If you watch Detroit closely, none of this is surprising. Of course, you want your team’s players thriving in an event like this, but the numbers don’t lie – Larkin has made a positive impact. When NHL scouts talk about what they want to see from top prospects, they often to point to someone like Larkin – a guy who can score, but also do the dirty work needed to win. You spend more time away from the puck than with it, and Larkin truly makes an impact away from it.

Let’s keep it simple: When Larkin is on the ice, the puck generally makes it to the opponent’s zone. More often than not, Larkin has made the United States more difficult to play against. There was no better example of that than his game against Canada, with Larkin’s goal proving to be the game-winner. Larkin was arguably USA’s best player against Sweden in a game where the team wasn’t close to being fully healthy.

For good measure, Larkin has yet to be on the ice for a goal against, either.

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PHR: Kasper, Soderblom recalled from the AHL

Per Pro Hockey Rumors’ Brennan McClain:

Although a formal announcement never came from the team, the Detroit Red Wings reassigned youngsters Marco Kasper and Elmer Söderblom to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before the 4 Nations Face-Off break for cap-related reasons. As expected, the AHL transactions site confirms Kasper and Söderblom have been returned to the NHL roster.

It’s been a tale of two seasons for Kasper during his first full year in the NHL. The Innsbruck, Austria native only mustered two goals and seven points through the first 35 games with an -11 rating averaging 14:06 of ice time per night. His possession metrics were uniquely good (approximately 50.0% CorsiFor% at even strength) for a poor possession team like Detroit, however, his 3.8% shooting percentage had many wondering if he should return to AHL Grand Rapids to continue developing.

New head coach Todd McLellan moved Kasper to the first line in early January and the former eighth overall pick has run with the opportunity. He’s scored seven goals and 13 points in his last 15 games for Detroit playing next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond with his shooting percentage jumping off the page at 23.3% in that stretch. Kasper has inarguably benefited from being next to the Red Wings’ top two forwards but his newfound confidence could prove a boon to his overall development.

Söderblom has primarily been relegated to AHL minutes this season having received his call-up in mid-January. The physically imposing 6’8″, 246lbs Sweden has added more size and offense to the Red Wings bottom-six throughout the call-up with two goals, three assists, and 20 hits in nine games.

Roughly translated: Peter Forsberg praises Lucas Raymond’s development

HockeyNews.se’s Linnea Andersson spoke with Peter Forsberg regarding his impressions of Team Sweden’s 1-and-2 record at the Four Nations Face-Off, and Forsberg gave praise to a member of the Red Wings:

The Four Nations Face-Off is over for Sweden.

Peter “Foppa” Forsberg has been impressed by a Swedish duo – and says that one of them has grown into a superstar.

The Tre Kronor will finish third in the group, with as many points as Canada, after a 2-1 victory against the United States last night. Canada continues because of head-to-head wins, and for Sweden, the tournament is over.

Peter “Foppa” Forsberg has watched the tournament in person, and he chooses to pay tribute to a particular player – Lucas Raymond.

“He’s grown up and become a superstar of sorts. He’s not afraid of a nickel, anywhere on the ice. He’s taking the ice for himself. He doesn’t look who’s coming in behind him, he’s driving on. He does good things, he comes from outside the corners,” Forsberg said.

Forsberg thinks Raymond was lined up and used properly during the tournament. Having Raymond in a line together with Joel Eriksson Ek is something that the hockey icon likes to see.

“Eriksson Ek helps him. He takes his defensemen on target and stands in front. He’s obscuring when Lucas shoots, and then Lucas can do his things a little further out in the corners. Then Joel gets to stand there in front and blue paint and hold on. I think they fit great together, even though they may not have scored 100 goals this tournament, they have created offense,” says Forsberg.

In Detroit, Raymond has averaged one point per game. In total, there were three assists from Raymond in the tournament.

“This player we will get to benefit from in the Swedish national team for a good many games after this,” Forsberg said.

Via A2Y: Not a fan of the David Savard ‘rental’ situation

Via Paul Kukla of Abel to Yzerman: Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discussed the Red Wings’ potential pursuit of Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard, as suggested by Bleacher Report’s Lyle Richardson, and I’m in the “not gonna happen” category:

Why Savard To Detroit Isn’t Likely To Happen

Savard is a top-four defenseman and Detroit isn’t going to want to break up the Moritz Seider-Ben Chiarot and Simon Edvinsson-Albert Johansson top-four pairings that have proven so effective during the club’s hot streak. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes reportedly desires a first-round draft choice in exchange for Savard. Yzerman won’t be paying that price.

Traditionally, Yzerman also isn’t a GM who looks to trade for rental players. As much as the Red Wings want – perhaps even need – to make the playoffs this spring, Yzerman isn’t going to be looking to make a short-term move that will have a negative impact on his long-term plans for the team.

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Panning and praising Raymond and Larkin’s Four Nations performances on Monday night

Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin and Team Sweden forward Lucas Raymond were both held off the scoresheet in Team USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden last night in Boston, and several pundits weighed in on the teams’ player performances.

Sportsnet’s Sonny Sachdeva was not impressed with Raymond’s performance…

Lucas Raymond: 6 / 10
The young Detroit Red Wings talisman left much to be desired on the Americans’ lone goal, with a half-hearted backcheck that left Chris Kreider open to bury the game’s first tally 35 seconds into the game. But aside from that early stumble, he came up with some quality moments, once again looking calm and collected with the puck on his stick. He finishes the tournament as Sweden’s highest-scoring forward, with three points through three games.

But Sportsnet’s Emily Sadler gave Larkin a better grade…

Dylan Larkin 7/10
Larkin’s had an eventful tournament, and on Monday night brought a jolt of energy early to a lineup that needed it. He generated a handful of scoring chances in the first frame, and while he was held off the scoresheet, Sullivan should be happy with his efforts.

And Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis had this to say about Larkin:

#21 Dylan Larkin, C (Detroit Red Wings): Play him more! Every single game, the puck has spent significantly more time in the offensive zone than the alternative. Larkin has had such a positive impact on this team, with his Corsi being completely on his side all night long. Larkin is USA’s secret weapon, and he’s going to be important in the final.

Trey Augustine named a finalist for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award

Red Wings goaltending prospect Trey Augustine has been named a finalist for the 95th AAU James E. Sullivan Award, and you can vote for Augustine here:

Datsyuk, Lidstrom named to Daily Faceoff’s ‘Top 25 players of the last 25 years’ list

Daily Faceoff’s writers named their “Top 25 players of the last 25 years” today, and two Red Wings made the list:

20. Pavel Datsyuk, C

The Magic Man could do everything. He had some of the most dizzyingly beautiful stickhandling the game has ever seen, regularly producing did-you-see-that highlights. He’s one of the best defensive forwards of all-time, having won three consecutive Selke Trophies at one point. He was also one of the sport’s classiest players, winning four consecutive Lady Byng Trophies. It’s particularly impressive to play such a gentlemanly game when you’re a premier shutdown center.

…

4. Nicklas Lidstrom, D

Try and picture Lidstrom making a mistake. Good luck with that. He was about as close as you’ll ever find to a perfect hockey player, almost robotic in his poise and precision. He set the standard for a modern style of defending, outsmarting his opponents with positioning and anticipation rather than bludgeoning them. He took home an incredible seven Norris Trophies, bested only by Bobby Orr’s eight, and if you had to craft one starting lineup featuring every player in the NHL’s 108-year history, you’re probably putting Lidstrom out there with Orr.

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