The Malik Report

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen posted an article in which he ranks the Atlantic Division’s goaltending tandems, and, in the subscriber-only article, he lists the Red Wings’ tandem of Ville Husso and Alex Nedeljkovic as the 5th-best pairing:

5. Detroit Red Wings

Ville Husso and Alex Nedeljkovic: The range for the Red Wings’ goaltending is probably third to sixth. Both Husso and Nedeljkovic have potential. It felt as if Nedeljkovic became worn down last season. Perhaps it was more mentally than physically. Detroit goalies were under siege most of the season because the team gave up more quality scoring chances than any team in the league. One of the objectives this season may be to keep both goalies fresh. But we could see one of them emerge as a true No. 1. Husso played sharply most of last season.  He was able to steal the net from Jordan Binnington in St. Louis. But Nedeljkovic also had some moments last season, particularly early in the season.

Continued (paywall)

Daily Faceoff’s Brock Seguin posted a fantasy hockey preview for the Red Wings’ 2022-2023 season, and here’s a short sample thereof:

Dylan Larkin
GP G A PTS (+/-) PIM PPG PPA PPP SOG S% ATOI FOW BLK HIT
73.3 27.3 37.2 64.5 -16.8 49.4 5.6 9.2 14.7 228.8 11.9% 20.16 698.7 35.2 69.0

Following a couple of disappointing seasons in 2020 and 2021, Larkin registered 30-plus goals for the second time in his career in 2022. Lucas Raymond’s exceptional rookie campaign helped Larkin return to form, and the duo should continue to build on an impressive start. Unfortunately, Larkin’s shot volume dipped a bit, which makes a return to 30 goals a little less likely. However, there’s still a chance he can return to the elite shot volume from 2019 and 2020. With an improving roster around him, the Red Wings power-play could take a step forward this season and unlock a few extra points for Larkin.

Continued, with 13 players profiled…

The Hockey News’s Mike Stephens posted a list of “bounce-back candidates” who he believes will return to form during the 2022-2023 season, and Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana made his list:

Jakub Vrana – Detroit Red Wings
2021-22 Stat Line: 26 GP, 13 goals, 6 assists, 19 points 

Speaking of upgraded top-sixes…

The Red Wings are officially done rebuilding, definitively taking the next step in their journey back to relevancy by signing Andrew Copp, David Perron, Dominik Kubalik, Ville Husso, and Ben Chiarot. 

The former three names might be more promising than the latter one, but the point stands that Vrana, like Batherson, will be hitting the ground running this season surrounded by some far better talent to work with.

Even if Vrana doesn’t actually play alongside either Copp or Perron, the veteran duo’s presence on the roster allows new coach Derek Lalonde to re-work the matchup game in order to maximize his top offensive weapons. Vrana certainly fits that bill, having racked up 13 goals and 19 points in 26 games for Detroit last season before injuries robbed him of the rest. 

Vrana began 56.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone in 2021-22. While that number is pretty high on its own, having Copp and Perron on the roster gives the Red Wings the depth to bump it up into the 60s, thereby putting Vrana in a better spot to utilize his offensive gifts against perhaps weaker competition. 

And then there’s Husso, who seems ready to stabilize the goaltending and keep his team in games that they simply weren’t last season, creating more offensive opportunities for the top of the lineup. 

It’s unlikely that the Red Wings did enough to contend with the best of their division. But they’ll at least be competitive — and that could be just the spark that ignites Vrana’s bounce-back. 

Continued; I would argue that the Red Wings aren’t done rebuilding until they’re a playoff team again, but what do I know?

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a notebook article this afternoon which discusses Ben Chiarot’s decision to come to the Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent:

Once learning of the Red Wings’ interest in him, signing with the Wings was an easy decision for new defenseman Ben Chiarot.

This wasn’t a case of returning home, but close to home. There are plenty of relatives across the bridge in Windsor. Chiarot grew up in Hamilton, Ontario and currently is living in Kitchener, both several hours away.

Those family connections, along with the opportunity to wear an Original Six jersey of a team Chiarot followed living in Ontario, quickly moved him to become a Red Wing on July 13, the first day of free agency.

“A team that’s on the rise, built by (general manager) Steve Yzerman, and a place that’s close to home for my family, it’s a great spot for me,” Chiarot said. “It’s good for me with a young family; there’s a number of factors that played into it. I grew up in Hamilton and it was hard not to follow the Wings when they were winning a Stanley Cup every couple of years. There are a lot of Wings fans in my area, and good memories watching them back then.

“Once I knew Detroit was interested, and my agent and (Yzerman) were able to work out a deal, that was a pretty easy choice for me.”

Continued

Per the Grand Rapids Griffins:

GRIFFINS RELEASE 2022-23 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday announced their promotional schedule for the 2022-23 season, featuring a number of giveaways and the return of many popular season-long promotions. Single-game tickets for each of the team’s 36 regular season home games at Van Andel Arena will go on sale to the general public this Friday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. at griffinshockey.com/tickets.

The Griffins will launch the home portion of their 72-game slate on Friday, Oct. 14 against the San Diego Gulls with Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank. Promotions for the home opener include a magnet schedule giveaway and $2 beers/hot dogs. Grand Rapids will play its first three games of the campaign at home for the first time since the 2002-03 season.

Grand Rapids’ other giveaways this season include a water bottle (Nov. 12), bandana (Nov. 26, ages 21+), leg lamp (Dec. 3), 2022-23 calendar (Dec. 16), Jonatan Berggren bobblehead (Jan. 7), t-shirt (Feb. 25), trucker hat (March 11), and a Bob Kaser and Larry Figurski talking bobblehead (March 31).

Key promotional dates include: HOPE Network Night (Oct. 15); Military Appreciation Night (Nov. 12); 21st annual School Day Game (Nov. 16 – 11 a.m. start); Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 25); Country Night (Nov. 26); Seventh annual Red Kettle Game for The Salvation Army (Dec. 2); A Griffins Christmas Story (Dec. 3); Grand Rapids Hall of Fame Night (Dec. 16); 25th annual New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31 – 6 p.m. start); Hockey Without Barriers/Sensory Friendly Game (Jan. 7); Salute to Badges (Jan. 13); Heroes vs. Villains (Jan. 14); Princess Night (Feb. 11); Hispanic Heritage Night (Feb. 25); Star Wars Night (March 4); 11th annual Purple Community Game for Van Andel Institute (March 10); Margaritaville Night (March 11); the Jake Engel Memorial Dog Game (March 19); 2013 Cup Celebration Game (March 31); and Fan Appreciation Night (April 14).

Continue reading Press release: Grand Rapids Griffins release promotional schedule for 22-23 season

Another FYI! 📺 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Ddbh8N9Aol

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 7, 2022

Can’t say that I’m a fan of making games harder for fans to see, but that’s the way it is right now.

Also:

FYI! pic.twitter.com/6fLOZPef9W

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 7, 2022

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff looks back to the Red Wings’ summer development camp to offer a profile of Red Wings prospect Robert Mastrosimone. The 21-year-old center/left wing has transferred from Boston University to Arizona State University for his senior year in NCAA Division I hockey, and as he’s still 5’10” and 170 pounds after three years of post-draft development, gaining size and strength are key to his professional future:

In search of carving out a home for himself as part of the future of the Red Wings, Mastrosimone, 21, is moving into a new hockey home for the 2022-23 NCAA season. The 54th player chosen in the 2019 NHL entry draft by Detroit, the senior center is setting a new course in the desert as a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils.

He spent his first three college seasons on the East Coast with the Boston Terriers.

“It was the right thing for me,” Mastrosimone said. “I think I need a fresh start, just to get out in front of some new eyes, some new teammates, new coaches, new area. Really just taking a fresh start and getting my game to the next level.”

As a junior at BU, Mastrosimone collected 11-14-25 totals in 34 games.

Like all developing players, building up strength and adding bulk are at the top of Mastrosimone’s to-do list. It’s one of the reasons he was attracted to what Arizona State has to offer to him.

“Their strength coach Liane (Blyn), she’s amazing,” Mastrosimone said. “She’s an unbelievable person and an unbelievable strength coach. I saw every opportunity to get better there.

Continued; I know that the Red Wings love Mastrosimone’s work ethic and maturity, but small forwards who end up as grinders are something that the Red Wings can find in abundance throughout the free agent ranks, so Mastrosimone is going to have to have one hell of a senior season to separate himself from the pack.

Okay, it’s time for the daily fundraising post. I’m just astonished at the level of support I’ve gotten so far, but there’s a long way to go in terms of being able to actually pay for car repairs and actually pay for the hotel.

You’ve been extraordinarily supportive–yesterday was a $360 day, which is a great reminder that what’s done here has value, but some days are $0 days, and as much as my aunt reminds me that one’s value is not determined by a specific day’s fundraising, it’s getting tight to the September 14th drive-up-to-TC deadline now.

I’m grateful for what we’ve done thus far, and your support really does mean the world to me, but yes, now is the time for those $5, $10 and $20 donations to add up, because stupid inflation and stupid having to buy gas/groceries/supplies = $$$.

I just don’t have the resources to do this alone, and if you can help me both get up to and get back from Traverse City, I would gratefully appreciate whatever support you can afford. Long story long, we’re $1,500 into a $4,000+ trip, so that’s where we’re at.

If you’re are willing to help, you can use PayPal at https://paypal.me/TheMalikReport, Venmo at https://venmo.com/george-malik-2, Giftly by using my email, rtxg@yahoo.com, at https://www.giftly.com. And you can contact me via email if you want to send me a paper check.

DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills “Roster Reset” for the 2022-23 season concludes with an assessment of the Red Wings’ (mostly) new coaching staff:

On June 30, Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced that Derek Lalonde was named the 28th head coach in franchise history.

“I just think the timing of this, the growth and the things I’ve learned throughout the way, it’s perfect,” Lalonde said in his introductory press conference on July 1. “It’s time, and I’m very excited about this opportunity, the next challenge in my career.”

Lalonde, 50, joins Detroit after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he helped guide the club to four consecutive postseason berths and three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances, including back-to-back championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

“The more I looked into it, the more I realized Derek was a really good fit for this job,” Yzerman said on July 1.“This is a great opportunity for us to bring in a coach with tremendous experience as a head coach at various levels and coaching as part of a very good staff and a very good program.”

Detroit’s bench also features associate coach Bob Boughner, assistant coach Jay Varady and goaltending coach Alex Westlund, who are all entering their first campaign with the Red Wings.

Continued

It’s been eleven years since the terrible plane crash that took the lives of 38 players, coaches and staff of the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Today, HockeySverige’s Ronnie Ronnqvist marked the anniversary by speaking with Henrik Lundqvist, Mats Sundin, and several other teammates of goaltender Stefan Liv, including Nicklas Lidstrom.

Here’s what Lidstrom had to say about having Liv, who played in one season for Grand Rapids, as a teammate, mostly in international hockey with the Tre Kronor:

Nicklas Lidström , teammate on Tre Kronor [Swedish national team]:

“Stefan was always very happy, and had an easy laugh, and it was always a light atmosphere to be around him. My strongest memory together with Stefan is actually the entire Olympic tournament (in 2006). Especially the celebration after the final. Partially on location in Italy, and partially when we came home to Sweden.”

“He was the third goaltender in that tournament. Nevertheless, he had a cheerful mood and joked a lot with the other players. It is precisely this light-hearted and jocular jargon that I think a about a lot when I remember Stefan.”

“In a tournament like the Olympics, you probably want to be there and play. He was the third goaltender, but was just happy to be in the tournament, the national team, and to be around the team. They joy he spread…The attitude he had was that he was overjoyed to be there. He contributed a lot with his joy and light-heartedness, which somehow made it easier for the rest of us on the team.”

“We didn’t play together that much, but what I remember from practice, Stefan was very competitive. You could see the desire he had to get better all the time.”

Continued; if you missed it, Liv’s son, Herman, is a goaltender in Orebro’s system, and Expresen’s Magnus Nystrom posted a massive profile of the 16-year-old.