Khan projects Anthony Mantha’s 18-19 campaign

MLive’s Ansar Khan examines the possible 2018-19 campaign of Anthony Mantha this morning:

2018-19 outlook: A prolific goal-scorer in the junior ranks, Mantha is quickly learning what it takes to score in the NHL, with 17 and 24 goals in his first two seasons. He has learned to use his big frame to protect the puck and cycle more, instead of looking to shoot off the rush. Despite the team’s poor power play (27th in the NHL), Mantha has adjusted to a net-front role, scoring nine power-play goals after netting just one as a rookie.

Mantha occasionally drew criticism from coach Jeff Blashill for lapses in competitiveness and not moving his feet. They had what was described as a heart-to-heart talk prior to a game in New Jersey on Jan. 22 that both said was productive.

Mantha is driven to improve. He planned on doing some power skating in the off-season. He also wanted to take boxing lessons, not to fight more but to be grittier.

Quotable: “He had a good year, we need him to take a step, he’s got that potential, that ability. Once you play 100 games you get a good idea what this league is all about. He’s got a good idea what he needs to do in the summer to take his game to another level.” – general manager Ken Holland.

Key question: Can Mantha become the first Red Wing to score 30 goals in 10 years (Marian Hossa 40, Johan Franzen 34, Pavel Datsyuk 32, Henrik Zetterberg 31 in 2008-09)?

Continued

Catchy-uppy post for August 3rd and 4th: ‘boons,’ busts and prospect rankings; on Larkin, Zablocki, Saarijarvi and Rasmussen; a sparse ride through the Joe

Of Red Wings-related note over the course of Friday and Saturday, on a source-by-source basis:

A. Free Press:

1. Helene St. James penned an analysis of the Red Wings’ biggest draft “boons” and “busts” since the team drafted Henrik Zetterberg;

B. Detroit News:

1. Ted Kulfan discussed Anthony Mantha’s late-season video session turned heart-to-heart conversation with coach Jeff Blashill;

2. The Detroit News’s Todd McInturf posted a photo gallery as Lane Zablocki, Vili Saarijarvi and Kirk Maltby worked the Red Wings’ youth hockey camp on Friday;

C. Hockeybuzz:

1. Bob Duff spoke with Dylan Larkin regarding both his contract negotiations with the Wings and August 26th’s “Stars and Stripes” charity hockey game in Plymouth;

D. The Athletic:

1. Craig Custance took a drive through Joe Louis Arena as the facility continues to be sold off in bits and pieces before its eventual demolishment;

E. DetroitRedWings.com:

1. In article form, DetroitRedWings.com’s Arthur J. Regner examined Libor Sulak’s 2017-18 season “by the numbers“;

2. Dana Wakiji spoke with Dylan Larkin when he took part in the Wings’ youth hockey camp on Wednesday;

3. Wakiji also spoke with Vili Saarijarvi regarding his hopes to rebound from an injury-plagued 2017-18 season;

4. On Twitter, the Wings posted Twitter interviews with Lane Zablocki and Saarijarvi…


5. And the Wings posted this Dylan Larkin clip from the NHL Network:


F. NHL.com:

  1. NHL.com’s Dave Hogg penned a profile of Michael Rasmussen;
  2. Dylan Larkin (115), Filip Zadina (163), Anthony Mantha (168), Mike Green (189) and Michael Rasmussen (249) made NHL.com’s Pete Jensen’s initial Top 250 Fantasy Player rankings;

G. The Sporting News:

1. The Red Wings rank 10th of 31 in the Sporting News’s Steve Kournianos’s “farm system rankings“;

2. Alec Gearty reports that Michael Rasmussen had a good showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Kamloops, British Columbia, playing strongly for Canada;

H. Vancouver Province:

1. The Province’s Steve Ewen also reports that Michael Rasmussen had a strong showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase.

 

Justin Abdelkader and three groups donate $26K to Food Bank Council of Michigan

From WOOD TV in Grand Rapids:

Red Wings forward and Muskegon native Justin Abdelkader is working with dairy farmers to ensure families in need have access to milk.

In partnership with the SpartanNash Foundation, Abdelkader, Michigan-area Dairy Farmers of America and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan contributed $26,000 Thursday to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

The donation will go toward purchasing more than 163,000 servings of fresh milk for Michigan families, according to the SpartanNash Foundation.

Abdelkader, who will soon welcome his first child, says he’s excited to contribute to such an important cause.

“As a professional athlete and soon-to-be father, I know how important nutrition is, and we have to give our kids the opportunity to learn to play and to excel. I think being a part of a mission like this is very important,” the former Grand Rapids Griffin said.

The donation took place during SpartanNash’s annual food show at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. SpartanNash says any food display products left after the show will be donated to local food banks and pantries.

Request for assistance: Filip Zadina speaks to iSport.cz

If anybody happens to speak Czech, Filip Zadina spoke with iSport.cz’s Kvetoslav Simek recently, and the interview comes out as garbled gobbledeygook when translating it from Czech to English. If someone could lend a hand with the translation, I would be grateful.

In the interview, Zadina says that he’s learning to drive, that he understands he’ll have to earn a spot on a very competitive Red Wings roster, or he’ll have to play in Grand Rapids (his goal is to make the team and play the entire year in Detroit), and that he’s working out with Ocelari Trinec as his father works for the team.

Toledo Walleye sign Tyler Spezia, Ben Storm

The Toledo Walleye have signed two forwards for the 2018-19 season, starting with Bowling Green State University forward Tyler Spezia…

Walleye ink BGSU forward Tyler Spezia

(Toledo, OH) – Forward Tyler Spezia (SPEE-zhuh) from the Bowling Green Falcons has agreed to terms with the Toledo Walleye for the 2018-19 season.

Spezia joins the Walleye after a stellar career for the Falcons, appearing in 147 games while scoring 34 goals with 38 assists for 72 points and 103 penalty minutes. During his four-year career, the Clinton Township, Michigan native posted a plus 34. As a senior Assistant Captain, he scored 10 goals (tied for third most on team) with six assists and was named WCHA Player of the Week when he picked up a hat trick plus an assist at Lake Superior State on January 29.

“Tyler brings an exciting skill set to our team for the upcoming season that we will look forward to on the ice,” said Head Coach Dan Watson. “The experience he gained playing for a terrific program and coach Chris Bergeron will help him make the transition from college to professional hockey.”

The 25-year-old forward set a career-high as a junior when he collected 30 points (8G, 22A) with 53 penalty minutes and a plus 13. His 22 assists led the Falcons in the 2016-17 season. Twice Spezia was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team for his work in the classroom. Prior to joining Bowling Green, the 5’10”, 171 pound forward spent back to back years in the USHL with Dubuque then Youngstown. With the Youngstown Phantoms in 2013-14, he had 73 penalty minutes with 22 points (10G, 12A) in 58 games.

And continuing with scrappy forward Ben Storm:

Continue reading Toledo Walleye sign Tyler Spezia, Ben Storm

The Athletic’s Luszczyszyn not impressed by Wings’ front office

The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn penned a list of the NHL’s best and worst front offices, and Luszczyszyn is not high on the Red Wings’ brass:

27. Detroit

“Seemingly unable or unwilling to embrace a true rebuild. The most recent draft was a success, but Holland and co. were served a softball when both Zadina and Veleno fell to them. Too many bad contacts, and recent free agent signings seem to indicate they’re more interested in being mediocre for another season than they are in building for the future.”

Detroit needs a full rebuild and fans are clamouring for it, especially after an excellent showing at the 2018 entry draft. The Tomas Tatar trade was a good stepping stone toward that and the team did get a massive haul for him, but there’s still a lot of work left to do and the cap situation is still dire. Detroit is a ways away still. The Red Wings land near the bottom here, but it’s a step up from where they were last year and fans are a bit more confident now, which is a bit funny considering how low the team still ranks across the board.

Continued (paywall)…

Kulfan, St. James: Larkin, Wings hammering out contract

Dylan Larkin took part in the Red Wings’ annual youth hockey camp on Thursday, and afterward he spoke with the media regarding a host of topics, as noted by the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:

The calendar has crawled into August, training camp is a little over six weeks away, but Dylan Larkin isn’t concerned.

Larkin is a restricted free agent, and still without a new contract, although indications are he and the Red Wings are close to a long-term deal.

“A lot of talking and negotiating; it’s a bit of a process,” said Larkin, who was a guest instructor Thursday at the Red Wings’ youth camp at Little Caesars Arena. “It’s back and forth thinking, and everything is definitely a process, (but) you can’t sit by your phone all summer, you still have to train and work out and have fun, go on trips.

“I’m learning the business side of it, but I feel pretty confident that something will get done before training camp. No worries about it.”

It is expected that Larkin, 22, will sign a five- or six-year deal, probably in the neighborhood of $6 million per year. For the Red Wings to make that kind of commitment, Larkin would feel a sense of “honor.”

“You have to definitely continue to work hard and want more for yourself and for the team, and the city and organization,” Larkin said. “I’m still not sure where it’s going to end up, but if they are willing to give a commitment (of that kind), it’s going to be a pretty good honor.”

Kulfan continues…

Update: The Free Press’s Helene St. James also spoke with Larkin…

The youth camp comes after Larkin held his own hockey school and helped out at Danny Cleary’s Hockey School. It’s part of why the Wings think he’s worth a big investment: Larkin never seems to be far from a hockey rink.

In what he hopes will become an annual event, Larkin was a driving force behind the just-announced Stars & Stripes Showdown, a benefit hockey game featuring top American-born hockey stars scheduled for Aug. 26 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. The event is in honor of the late Jim Johannson, who passed away at the age of 53 this past January. Johannson spent the two decades as assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, and was renown for his positive impact.

Proceeds will benefit both the Jim Johannson Legacy Fund and the Ellie Johannson College Fund.

The idea for the game gestated at the World Championship in May.

“Everyone was rallying around J.J. at the World Championships and I saw that and I thought it would be a great idea,” Larkin said. “A lot of superstars coming into town. Auston Matthews. Charlie McAvoy. They are all coming into to honor him and raise money for a great cause.”

To make it happen, Larkin did what Johannson would have done: Made phone calls.

“My job has been to recruit players, which is ironic — I feel like J.J. himself when he was calling guys for the World Championship,” Larkin said. “You get every answer and you have to understand it’s summer and guys have things going on. It’s been interesting talking to different guys, but mostly great feedback from that.”

St. James also continues…

Joe Veleno nursing minor injury at the World Junior Summer Showcase

NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman reports that Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno is nursing a minor injury as he battles for a spot on the Canadian World Junior selection camp team:

Joseph Veleno (Detroit Red Wings) has an injury that will keep him out against Finland on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN2).

Veleno was scratched from Canada Red’s game against USA White on Tuesday. Canada coach Tim Hunter said he’s hopeful Veleno can play against Sweden on Friday (9 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN2).

“Joe’s got a bit of a nagging injury and he won’t play tomorrow, but we look to get him into the game against Sweden,” Hunter said. “Just give him a little more time to feel comfortable. Today we didn’t go on the ice, we had a team-building function. … He’ll probably get a little twirl on the ice tomorrow. We only have a half-hour, see how it goes, see if he can play against Sweden.”

Canada plays its final game against the United States on Saturday (5 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN).

“I don’t know if we’ve ever really seen Joe’s best game,” Hunter said. “He’s kind of been so-so. Been a lot of expectations on him. We just want to him to play relaxed and be himself out there, especially in this environment. No pressure, just go out and be yourself, have fun and play see what you can do.”

Dylan Larkin speaks with the media while attending the Wings’ youth hockey camp

Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin took part in the Wings’ annual youth hockey camp at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, and after his session with the campers, he spoke with the media, as captured by Michigan Hockey…

 And the Red Wings…

Update: The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a clip of Larkin’s comments, too:

Update: Larkin spoke with WXYZ’s Brad Galli as well:

Luke Witkowski understands that he’ll have to fight for his roster spot in training camp

Red Wings swing man Luke Witkowski took part in the team’s youth hockey camp on Tuesday, and after working with the kids, Witkowski spoke with the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan regarding battling for a spot on the team’s roster…

“Nobody is guaranteed a spot, that’s just how it is,” Witkowski said of the battle for jobs. “It’s going to be competitive. Guys are worried about their jobs. Coaches, the organization, the Red Wings have a history of winning and we want to get back to the playoffs.

“That’s the number one goal. You look at that locker room, everyone is a competitor and we want to be in the playoffs. We were right there in so many games. We have the players, the ability to do so (make the playoffs).”

What may help Witkowski (6-foot-2, 217 pounds) in his attempt to the make the roster is not just his willingness to protect teammates but also his versatility.

The Holland, Mich., native, who played for coach Jeff Blashill at Western Michigan, is capable of manning a fourth-line forward spot along with playing defense.

In essence, Witkowski’s ability to play both spots saves them a roster spot in a way.

“I’m a guy, I’m not going to be complaining about not being in the lineup,” Witkowski said. “But I want to get back into the lineup so they have some options with me.”

And Witkowski also spoke with DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji:

Now that the calendar has changed to August, Witkowski said it’s time to get even more serious.

“It’s go time,” he said. “Every day you’re thinking you’re going to get the email for camp and then it’s right around the corner. There’s a month and a half left of our summers so those are key days to get ready for camp.”

For today, Witkowski was happy to back on the ice with players who are a little smaller than his Wings teammates. They’re fun to be around and always have some interesting questions for him.

“A lot of it has to do with my beard,” Witkowski said with a laugh. “‘Can I touch your beard? Can I pull your beard? Is that beard real? Are you related to Santa Claus?’ A lot of beard questions.”

But that’s not all. Many of the young campers know of Witkowski’s pugilistic prowess.

“Those are the other questions,” Witkowski said. “‘How many fights have you been in? How many have you won? How many have you lost?’ So either beard or fighting questions, those are probably the top two.”