HSJ: Goals from defensemen are good, but missing the playoffs is better

The Free Press’s Helene St. James penned an odd column, praising the surge of offense from the Red Wings’ defense on one hand, and offering the this as her conclusion:

These encouraging signs are good for the current team, but it doesn’t mean the organization should scrap plans to sell as the Feb. 26 trade deadline approaches. The Wings are not Stanley Cup contenders. When a good offer materializes for Green — and his offensive prowess is exactly what appeals to teams eyeing a run for the Cup — the Wings are better off long term taking it, even as it will negatively impact this season’s team.

The Wings need a high draft pick, and they won’t have a shot at the draft lottery if they make the playoffs. Defenseman Rasmus Darlin is the prize of the 2018 NHL entry draft, but there are also blue-chip defense prospects in Adam Boqvist and Michigan freshman Quinn Hughes. Andrei Svechnikov, brother of Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov, could go second overall.

Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers missed the playoffs by seven points, but moved up from 13th in the draft lottery to pick second overall.

Good for the Wings to play well down the stretch. Better for the Wings to still miss the playoffs.

I get the conclusion, but I’m not quite sure how St. James gets there…

Mid-day deadline ruminations from McKenzie–intriguing stuff

Of mid-Saturday note from TSN’s Bob McKenzie, who was “thinking out loud” (and/or “ruminating,” as Mickey Redmond might say):

A couple of random pre-trade deadline thoughts, given the deadline is three weeks Monday: I’ll be keeping an eye on TB and NSH as perhaps the two teams who could/would conceivably make significant moves, given their firm status as legit Cup contenders…

In the TSN Coaches Poll last week, those two teams were clearly identified as favourites to contend for Cup, although WPG, VGK and BOS also got some support. Point is, given their recent histories (both losing in a Cup final) and rosters that are heavily constructed to win now…

Continue reading Mid-day deadline ruminations from McKenzie–intriguing stuff

Red Wings-Panthers morning skate Tweets and articles: Sateri starts for Panthers; Wings don’t skate

The Detroit Red Wings will battle the Florida Panthers this evening (7:00 PM EST on FSD Plus due to a Pistons-Heat game at LCA/FS Florida/97.1 FM).

The Wings hope to push their winning streak to 3 games as they tangle with an opponent that’s vexed them in the 21-22-and-6 Panthers, who sit only 2 points behind the Wings in the Wild Card and Eastern Conference standings.

Florida comes into tonight’s game having won 2 straight games, including a 4-2 decision over Buffalo on Thursday, and the Panthers have won with a “green” goalie, as noted by STATS’ Wings-Panthers preview:

Continue reading Red Wings-Panthers morning skate Tweets and articles: Sateri starts for Panthers; Wings don’t skate

Reminder: Saginaw Spirit to hold Shocks vs. Saves game today at 4:30

FYI from the Saginaw Spirit, assuming you don’t have any Saturday plans:

Via Red Wings Prospects: highlights of Pope’s hat trick

Red Wings prospect David Pope scored a hat trick last night for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, which lost 5-3 to Saint Cloud State University on Friday night. Red Wings Prospects on Twitter found a highlight clip of the game.

Pope’s wearing #12 for the Mavericks (in black):

Pope is playing on UNO’s 3rd line, but he’s posted 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points over the course of 27 games played.

Freep: Joe Louis Arena demolition to begin in May

The Free Press’s J.C. Reindl reports that the end is coming for Joe Louis Arena:

he City of Detroit has until May to start demolition work for now-empty Joe Louis Arena with a goal of getting the land ready for a new, large hotel that would reshape the downtown riverfront.

That deadline is laid out in a 3-year-old agreement between the city and one of its former bondholders, which received future ownership and development rights to the arena property in exchange for accepting big losses during Detroit’s 2013-14 municipal bankruptcy.

The deal requires the city — which built and still owns The Joe — to begin the demolition process within 90 days of the expiration of the arena’s long-term lease with the Red Wings and the Ilitch family’s Olympia Entertainment.

The lease was initially expected to end by mid-September 2017, according to the agreement and city documents, yet didn’t expire until Wednesday because Olympia exercised options for time extensions. Work crews were spotted in recent weeks removing material from the 38-year-old, windowless building.

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Prospect round-up: McCollum becomes Griffins’ winningest goalie; Pope scores a hat trick

In the AHL, Filip Hronek had a goal and an assist, Matt Puempel, Cory Elkins and Matt Lorito scored goals and Tom McCollum became the Griffins’ all-time goaltending wins leader via a 26-save performance in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 4-2 win over Cleveland.

The Griffins’ website posted a recap of the game in which McCollum won his 110th game as a Griffin:

Continue reading Prospect round-up: McCollum becomes Griffins’ winningest goalie; Pope scores a hat trick

Red Wings-Hurricanes wrap-up and Red Wings-Panthers set-up:

The Detroit Red Wings did a fine job of winning a 4-1 decision over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday evening; the Wings will attempt to extend their winning streak to 3 games as they face the Florida Panthers on Saturday night (7:00 PM EST on FSD Plus/FS Florida/97.1 FM).

The Red Wings played at least a solid 50 of 60 minutes against the Hurricanes, and the Hurricanes’ players tipped their hats to the Red Wings’ desire and determination, as noted by the Raleigh News & Observer’s Chip Alexander:

Continue reading Red Wings-Hurricanes wrap-up and Red Wings-Panthers set-up:

Red Wings-Hurricanes quick take: Helm, Wings out-hustle the Canes

The Detroit Red Wings attempted to build a modest 2-game winning streak as they faced the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday evening. Carolina had won 3 straight games, and was looking to slide back into one of the Eastern Conference’s Wild Card spots.

The Red Wings did an excellent job of out-playing the Hurricanes for the game’s final 50 minutes, out-scoring Carolina 4-1 and out-hustling the Canes by a substantial margin. Darren Helm had 3 points (1G, 2A), Anthony Mantha had 6 shots, Petr Mrazek had 37 saves and Henrik Zetterberg passed Pavel Datsyuk on the team’s all-time assists list.

Regardless of the team’s playoff fate, it’s good to watch the Wings play such a strong game.

Continue reading Red Wings-Hurricanes quick take: Helm, Wings out-hustle the Canes

Sportsnet’s Friedman talks Wings trades with Edmonton’s 630 CHED

Via CBS Detroit’s Will Burtchfield, FanRag Sports’ Chris Nichols reports that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman discussed several Red Wings-related trade rumors during an interview on Edmonton’s 630 CHED:

 

“Mike Green, he’ll be out there,” indicated NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman during a Friday afternoon appearance on Edmonton’s 630 CHED. “I think there’s going to be some interest in Mike Green. He’s already been linked to Washington. I know they were asking about him at the All-Star game last week, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa takes a look… I wouldn’t be surprised if Tampa was one of the teams in there considering a look at Mike Green.”

“They’ve tried to move Tatar and Nyquist for a couple of years now. They’ve been on and off the market, and I do think they’re looking at that again.

“I’ve reported at one point this year it looked like Edmonton and Detroit were seriously talking about a Mrazek deal that didn’t happen. And I still think they’d move one of their goaltenders if the price is right. Mrazek has started to play a little better.

“I think Detroit, as you mentioned, being in the position that they’re in, they’re willing to consider a lot of things. I do think that a few of their players are guys who could be available.”

Continued