Tweets of note: It’s the ‘first day of school’ for the Grand Rapids Griffins

I’m sharing these because they’re cute. Grand Rapids begins its training camp today at 2:30 PM at the Griff’s IceHouse at Bellknap Park:

More fundraising to pay the bills

As I’ve said in the past, I don’t like doing this, but it is necessary at present. If this is the NPR of blogs, you don’t have to deal with a paywall, but you do have to deal with these. Same with me.

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Post-Monday’s-practice Tweets: Wings will go with 12F to start, situation with Justin Holl is ‘fluid’

The Detroit Red Wings practiced on Monday at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center, and they did so employing the lines which they’ve utilized throughout training camp and the exhibition season.

Austin Watson was absent despite signing a 1-year, $775K contract today, Justin Holl remained with the team as he prepares to head to Grand Rapids when he clears waivers today at 2 PM, and early indications are that Ville Husso may start on Thursday vs. Pittsburgh.

After practice, the Red Wings spoke with the media, and coach Lalonde threw a wrench into the plans that Austin Watson would start with the big club:

Meanwhile, in Toledo, the Walleye hit the ice for their first team practice, ahead of back-to-back exhibition games vs. the Kalamazoo K-Wings this upcoming weekend…

Continue reading Post-Monday’s-practice Tweets: Wings will go with 12F to start, situation with Justin Holl is ‘fluid’

Press release: Red Wings sign Austin Watson to 1-year, 2-way contract

Per the Detroit Red Wings comes confirmation of their earlier Tweet:

Red Wings sign Austin Watson to one-year contract

Forward has skated in 515 NHL games with Nashville, Ottawa and Tampa Bay since 2012-13

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today signed forward Austin Watson to a one-year, two-way contract.

Watson, 32, spent training camp with the Red Wings on a professional tryout, recording one assist, a plus-one rating and 27 penalty minutes in four preseason games. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound forward played the entire 2023-24 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, tallying four points (2-2-4), a plus-two rating and 93 penalty minutes in 33 games. Watson spent the 2022-23 campaign with the Ottawa Senators, logging 11 points (9-2-11) and 123 penalty minutes in 75 games. Originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the first round (18th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Watson has compiled 118 points (60-58-118) and 705 penalty minutes in 515 games with the Predators, Senators and Lightning since 2012-13. He has also tallied 19 points (10-9-19) and 48 penalty minutes in 45 postseason contests, helping the Predators reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Additionally, Watson played in parts of six seasons with the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals, racking up 132 points (73-59-132), a plus-10 rating and 89 penalty minutes in 234 games.

Continue reading Press release: Red Wings sign Austin Watson to 1-year, 2-way contract

Gustafsson’s the PP QB, right?

DobberHockey’s Brennan Des asks a fantasy hockey question for each NHL team, and his question for the Red Wings is apt:

Detroit Red Wings

Who’s the top power-play quarterback? Offseason acquisition Erik Gustafsson seemed likely to fill this role since his playstyle is similar to Shayne Gostisbehere – who held the top PP QB role last year. While we’ve seen Gustafsson skate with the top group at times during training camp, latest configurations feature Moritz Seider on PP1. That’ll be an interesting battle to monitor as the season progresses.

Continued; at this point, the first power play unit’s defenseman’s job is Gustafsson’s to lose, but Seider will be utilized on the power play to some extent.

Tweets from Monday’s practice: Welcome to regular season preparation

The Detroit Red Wings took to the ice at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center ahead of Thursday’s season-opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Another prediction that coach Lalonde is on borrowed time

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli makes “32 bold predictions” this morning, and this is getting to be a theme:

7. Detroit’s Derek Lalonde will be the first coach fired. Feels like there are already signs of friction between Lalonde and Red Wings management. And the temperature is rising in Detroit to make the playoffs.

Continued; if he’s not coaching for his present contract, he’s coaching for his next one for sure.

Tweet of note: Happy Captain’s Day

He’s not the most popular man in Detroit right now, but it’s a momentous anniversary for Steve Yzerman:

Wings’ ‘Take the Day Off’ campaign continues

The Red Wings continue their Ferris Bueller-themed “Take the Day Off” theme for opening night on Thursday, October 11th vs. Pittsburgh: