This morning, the Free Press’s Helene St. James posted an article discussing two former first-round draft picks whose NHL futures are far from certain in Evgeny Svechnikov and Dennis Cholowski. Svechnikov, 24, is no longer waiver-exempt, and Cholowski, 22, has a year of waiver exemption left before the Red Wings have to make a firm decision as to whether to fish or cut bait.
Here’s her take on Cholowski’s status:
Cholowski, 22, seemed on a fast track when he made the Wings out of camp in 2018, emerging as a viable choice amid a slew of injuries.
The issue has been Cholowski’s assertiveness and decision-making with the puck. He was assigned to the Griffins in mid-February 2019 after racking up a team-worst minus-20 rating. He made the Wings again out of camp last season, but was sent to the minors in mid-December after posting just two assists and a minus-12 over the previous 12 games. Cholowski had eight points and a minus-26 rating in 36 games with the Wings last season, and 13 points in 30 games, with a minus-15 rating, with the Griffins.
In 88 career NHL games, Cholowski has nine goals, 15 assists, and a minus-46 rating.
Cholowski faces heavy competition for a job after Yzerman brought in defenseman Marc Staal, Jon Merrill and Troy Stecher, but the Wings need more offense from their back end. That’s where Cholowski can help — provided he has improved at making decisions with the puck.
“I’d love it if Dennis came to camp and had a great camp and made our team better,” Blashill said. “I know he’s worked hard at his game and put himself in a good position. He has to be dynamic offensive and be accountable defensively.
“I talk about this all the time — we don’t want players that are going to make our team, we want players that are going to make our team better. If Dennis can make our team better, then we’re a better hockey team and our organization is in a better place.”