A profile of Carter Mazur, grade-A pest

The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton posted a fine profile of Red Wings prospect and turning-pro Grand Rapids Griffin Carter Mazur:

Since getting back home to Michigan [from the World Championship], Mazur has “been weight training five days a week, so that’s another part of it and then right after that you eat, you go on the ice. So it’s been a good setup and look forward to continuing over the summer.”

It’s an arrangement that suits the natural rink rat perfectly. Asked to describe himself as a player, Mazur says “I’m more of a hard worker I would say, and when I stick to that, then my skill comes out. I feel like if I can have an ‘A’ game, but my ‘B’ game is good. I wanna have a good ‘B’ game as well. But I feel like when I’m on my ‘A’ game, that’s when most of the skill is happening, but as long as I’m a hard worker, I think everything takes care of itself.”

“I would say I like pissing people off,” he says, offering further explanation. He notes that he picked up the idea of “A” and “B” games from Dan Cleary, Detroit’s Assistant Director of Player Development who also played ten seasons for the Wings. “That’s a big part of my game, so I feel like when that’s going on, and I’m getting under people’s skin that’s what I consider a ‘B’ game and then ‘A’ I would consider I’m doing all that as well as skill plays, good passing, scoring goals.”

“I love chirping,” Mazur continues, with an unrepentant grin. “I like getting under people’s skin. Don’t care who you are. It’s something I enjoy doing and it makes hockey fun.”

Continued

Tweet of note: Caputo offers a different take on the Red Wings’ free agent haul

Per 97.1 the Ticket’s Pat Caputo:

Filip Zadina clears waivers per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff

Red Wings forward Filip Zadina has cleared waivers, and he will remain a member of the Red Wings’ organization:

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman confirms:

As does TSN’s Chris Johnston:

Update: Per TSN…

Continue reading Filip Zadina clears waivers per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff

Your DeBrincat rumor of the day: TSN’s Dreger reports that DeBrincat wants ‘Meier Money’

Per TSN:

As the NHL off-season continues, the Ottawa Senators are searching for a landing spot for winger Alex DeBrincat, who is unwilling to sign with the club long-term.

Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports the Senators have given DeBrincat’s agent permission to negotiate with at least three teams regarding an extension, but his price appears to be too high for all of them. 

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger said on the Ray and Dregs Podcast that the winger is looking for a contract similar to the one Timo Meier signed with the New Jersey Devils last week – eight years, $70.2 million, with an average annual value of $8.775 million. Dreger notes, however, that acquiring teams see DeBrincat’s value as being close to Jesper Bratt, who inked an eight-year, $63 million contract with the Devils, carrying a cap hit of $7.875 million.

“If that’s holding up a trade, and it sounds like it might be, then it’s got to be up to Alex DeBrincat to reconsider or maybe he stays in Ottawa,” Dreger said.

Continued

Blurb: HockeyNews.se takes note of ASP’s plan to play for Skelleftea this upcoming season

In the FYI department: HockeyNews.se’s Alexander Nilsson reports “reassuring news” from Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka’s Monday press conference, noting that Sandin Pellikka said that he’d return to Skelleftea AIK of the SHL this upcoming season.

There’s nothing new otherwise in terms of Sandin Pellikka’s remarks, but it’s a virtual “sigh of relief” from Sweden.