Audio from the morning skate ahead of the championship game at the Red Wings’ prospect tournament ’18: Gallant, Zadina, Regula, Smith, coach Simon

The Detroit Red Wings’ prospects were supposed to hold an optional skate ahead of tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Instead, 15 skaters took part, including starter Kaden Fulcher. Jared McIsaac won’t be available tonight due to a shoulder issue, so Marcus Crawford will step in on defense.

I believe that Michael Rasmussen, David Pope, Reilly Webb, Jordan Topping and the injured McIsaac and Lane Zablocki were the only players absent from the skate, and the Wings only skated for about half an hour, but their drills were crisp and intense.

After the skate, I spoke with Zach Gallant, albeit briefly, regarding his goal last night and his status as more of an offensive threat on the wing…
Continue reading Audio from the morning skate ahead of the championship game at the Red Wings’ prospect tournament ’18: Gallant, Zadina, Regula, Smith, coach Simon

Red Wings post press release regarding tonight’s prospect tournament championship game

From the Detroit Red Wings:

Wings battle Blue Jackets for 2018 NHL Prospect Tournament Championship

Fans can watch first-place matchup live on FOX Sports Go, DetroitRedWings.com and Facebook at 7:00 p.m.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the championship game of the 2018 NHL Prospect Tournament tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich.

Fans can watch the Red Wings compete for the Matthew Wuest Memorial Cup courtesy of a live stream on the FOX Sports Go app (for fans in the United States), DetroitRedWings.com (geographic restrictions apply) and through the Red Wings’ Facebook page (no geographic restrictions). The game will feature the play-by-play commentary of Red Wings radio broadcaster Ken Kal.

The Red Wings are seeking their second tournament championship in the 20-year history of Traverse City’s NHL Prospect Tournament, with their lone championship coming in 2013; however, this game will mark Detroit’s fourth appearance in the championship game in the last six years (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018). The Blue Jackets are the tournament’s lone undefeated team (3-0-0) and are tied with St. Louis for the most championships in the history of the tournament with four (2005, 2006, 2015 and 2016).

Detroit has been led by the strong play of its four participating first-round picks: Joe Veleno (30th overall in 2018) ranks second in the tournament with six points (2-4-6) in three games; Dennis Cholowski (20th overall in 2016), who leads all tournament defensemen with five points (1-4-5) in three games; Michael Rasmussen (9th overall in 2017), who shared the tournament lead with three goals among his four points (3-1-4) in three games; and Filip Zadina (6th overall in 2018), who has produced three points (1-2-3) in three games for the Red Wings.

Veleno scored twice in last night’s 5-0 win over the New York Rangers, while Rasmussen, Axel Holmstrom and Zach Gallant lit the lamp for Detroit. In goal, Patrik Rybar has started two games with a 1-1 record, including 14 saves in a shutout victory last night. Kaden Fulcher also surrendered just one goal in a 3-1 win over Dallas on Saturday.

St. James discusses the Jussi Jokinen try-out

The Free Press’s Helene St. James attempted to make sense of the Red Wings’ decision to offer well-traveled veteran Jussi Jokinen a professional try-out:

General manager Ken Holland said Tuesday that Jussi Jokinen, a 35-year-old veteran of nine NHL teams, will be at training camp when it begins Friday.

“He played for Dan Bylsma, asked for a tryout,” Holland said. “He understands the situation, but we will play him in some preseason games. Over the next month, we want to see where the young players are, and then we’ll assess our team.”

…

It seems unlikely Jokinen will be a fit, barring a slew of injuries. Michael Rasmussen, the Wings’ first-round pick from 2017, is a front-runner to grab an opening, and Filip Zadina, drafted at sixth overall this past June, will also get significant looks during the eight-game exhibition schedule. Both have the skill set to help boost the offense.

The Athletic’s Pronman weighs in on Wings prospects

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has attended the Red Wings’ prospect tournament, and he weighed in regarding several Wings prospects as part of an article discussing stand-out players in Traverse City:

Joseph Veleno, C: Veleno was good during the tournament and looked like the player who I felt was a mid-first rounder. He’s not a high-end skill guy, but he skates very well, has above-average playmaking ability and plays well at both ends, and I thought he showed all those attributes.

Filip Zadina, RW: Zadina was Zadina-esque outside of displaying his great shot. He’s got that “it” factor that makes a player with star potential. He’s got great skills, thinks the game well, plays with pace, competes well and looks unique on the ice. He wasn’t dominant, but he was quite good and showed why he’s been so highly thought of for years. NHL camp is a whole other animal, but I’d be quite surprised if he doesn’t make the team.

Continued (paywall)…

 

Toledo Walleye sign defenseman Matt Register

From the Toledo Walleye:

Walleye ring up big signing with Matt Register

(Toledo, OH) – Three time Kelly Cup Champion and three time ECHL Defenseman of the Year Matt Register has agreed to terms for the 2018-19 season with the Toledo Walleye.

Register, a Calgary, Alberta native, has raised the Kelly Cup in three straight seasons including the past two years in Colorado. Last season Register posted 65 points, featuring 17 goals and a career-high 48 assists while appearing in all 72 contests for the Eagles. The ECHL Defenseman of the Year followed up that performance with another 20 points (3G, 17A) in 24 playoff contests, helping the Eagles to their second straight Kelly Cup. His first championship came with Allen in the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs.

“This is an outstanding add for the Walleye and the fans of Toledo hockey,” said Head Coach Dan Watson. “The proof is in the championship pedigree and skill set that Matt will bring to the blue line for Toledo. It is through hard work, talent and dedication that a player gets honored with being the best at his position.”

Continue reading Toledo Walleye sign defenseman Matt Register

Red Wings post Ken Kal’s interview with Kris Draper

Red Wings special assistant to the GM Kris Draper spoke with Ken Kal during the second intermission of last night’s prospect tournament game, and here’s a video of the interview from the Red Wings’ YouTube channel:

 

Taking part in the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s ‘The Get Around’ podcast

I took part in a podcast with the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s James Cook and Jake Atnip yesterday, discussing the Wings’ prospects, the present-day team and what I do here at the Malik Report:

It’s TC Patriot Week, and Episode 48 of The Get Around delivers in anticipation of Friday’s big game between Traverse City Central and Traverse City West at Thirlby Field! Hear sound bites from coaches and players as preparation began Monday, and hear predictions from Brett, James and Jake.

Detroit blogger George Malik stops by to talk Red Wings, who are in Traverse City for the Prospects Tournament and training camp. Glen Lake’s Reece Hazelton, TC Central’s Maggie McCrary and Manton’s Trever Salani are up for The Get Around Hall of Fame.

Listen or download the episode from record-eagle.com/sports/local_sports, soundcloud.com/TheGetAround or on iTunes.

Here’s the audio clip:

On Jared McIsaac’s upward trajectory

Jared McIsaac has impressed at the Red Wings’ prospect tournament because he’s making simple, subtle plays at the age of 18, and the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s Jake Atnip penned a profile of the Halifax Mooseheads defenseman:

“I think Jared put himself into a group with Friday’s game where he was noticeable, he stood out,” Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Smith said. “For an 18-year-old to do that is really difficult. We’re excited about him in terms of a prospect, he has two more years of junior eligibility left if he doesn’t make Detroit.”

Although an opening night roster spot might be out of reach for the Canadian product, he continued to perform at Centre Ice Arena on Monday with an assist to Axel Holmstrom.

McIsaac understands that his youth plays a role in his spot in the Red Wings organization and is looking towards more experienced prospects to help smooth his transition into the NHL.

He noted that he has been watching and emulating players like Dennis Cholowski, who is expected to get at shot in Detroit at some time this season.

“I’m trying to take whatever I can from the guys that have been here before,” McIsaac said. “I’ve been watching Cholowski quite a bit. He has a pretty good shot a making the team this year so watching what he does and doing what (Shawn) Horcoff and (Dan) Cleary have been telling me.”

Continued