The Malik Report

From the Grand Rapids Griffins:

FULCHER RETURNS ON REASSIGNMENT, MYER SIGNS PTO

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday reassigned goaltender Kaden Fulcher to the Grand Rapids Griffins from the Toledo Walleye (ECHL). In addition, Grand Rapids signed defenseman Gordi Myer to a professional tryout.
Fulcher returns to Grand Rapids after being featured on the Griffins’ roster from Nov. 17-Dec. 4 but did not see any game time. The netminder competed with Grand Rapids in the 2020-21 season and posted a 2-2-2 record with one shutout and a 2.84 goals against average. With Toledo, Fulcher has registered a 4-3-0 ledger this season with two shutouts. The fourth-year pro places second in the ECHL with a 1.70 goals against average while his 0.924 save percentage is ranked 11th. Through 46 pro games, Fulcher has a 21-14-9 record with a 2.88 goals against average and a 0.888 save percentage.

Myer has yet to appear in an AHL contest through the first two seasons of his pro career. The Ohio State University product spent his rookie campaign with the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits in 2020-21, logging 10 points (4-6—10) and two penalty minutes in 36 games. Myer, now part of the Toledo Walleye, has recorded nine points (1-8—9) in 20 games this season in the ECHL.

The Red Wings face the New York Islanders tonight, and news broke during the Islanders’ morning skate that Mathew Barzal will miss the game due to COVID protocols.

The Islanders posted audio clips of coach Barry Trotz and forward Cal Clutterbuck and defenseman Scott Mayfield…

? Clutterbuck & Mayfield Pregame Availability ? pic.twitter.com/kJdB8qUwSV— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 14, 2021

? Trotz Pregame Availability ? pic.twitter.com/SPadgfzPhD— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 14, 2021

And coach Trotz said this about the Red Wings-Islanders match-up to NYI Hockey Now’s Christian Anderson…

Tuesday’s news hasn’t changed much of the Islanders’ approach to their meeting at Little Ceasers Arean with the Detroit Red Wings.

“Mat’s been really good on the power play for us. Our power play has been getting some traction and rhythm,” Trotz said. “We’ll miss him there, but a good option in a guy like (Brock Nelson) and (Anthony Beauvillier) maybe Possibly going in there. They’re good options, but Barzy has done a real good job. In terms of gameplan, it doesn’t change a whole lot. Detroit plays a certain way. The only thing that’s really different from them is Tyler Bertuzzi is in tonight versus he wasn’t in against us last time. … Other than that it won’t change the gameplan. We’re still going to have to play the way we play just with the guys that are available.”

While NewYorkIslanders.com’s Cory Wright noted how COVID has decimated the Islanders’ roster:

Barzal leads the Islanders with 17 points (5G, 12A) and is currently riding a six-game point streak (1G, 8A). The center has been remarkably durable during his NHL career, only missing one game since the start of the 2017-18 regular season, as the Islanders were resting players ahead of the last year’s playoffs. 

Trotz said the Islanders will miss Barzal’s presence on the power play, but will have to find a way to win without the center. 

“Mat’s been really good on the power play for us and our power play is getting a little bit of traction and rhythm. We’ll miss him there,” Trotz said. “In terms of game plan, it doesn’t change a whole lot… we’re still going to have to play the way we play, just with the guys who are available.”

Barzal is the ninth Islander to enter protocol this season after Josh Bailey, Kieffer Bellows, Zdeno Chara, Casey Cizikas, Andy Greene, Ross Johnston, Anders Lee and Adam Pelech.

I may not like fundraising for this blog, but the December drive is two days old and struggling pretty bloody badly, so I’m going to say something I don’t usually do:

I’d like to believe that this blog is worth your time and your support, even when I’m not saving up for a hockey trip. I know that I provide a solid service for your clicks and your readership, including up-to-date updates, game coverage and prospect coverage.

There’s more coming, as they say, but it’s hard to work in a market where the Wings (as of yet) don’t credential bloggers, so I have to get creative as I balance this job with taking care of my 79-year-old aunt and deal with my chronic depression and anxiety…

But I’m working damn hard to balance those responsibilities and battle those illnesses as best as I can, and while I’m in a rough patch health-wise right now, I’m working my ass off to give you as much as I possibly can every day.

Right now, I’m in a rough spot financially as I’m trying to help my aunt pay off her property taxes and I’m trying to raise funds to purchase a new cell phone as my ancient phone is going to get turned off by T-Mobile in a month or two.

And I know that I’m asking you for help during a time when inflation sucks for everyone, when Christmas is near, and when there are a bunch of other non-profits vying for your donations.

But right now I’m asking you to help TMR survive, to deal with the kinds of things that for-profit businesses usually get taken care of through advertising (which I don’t subject you to) or sponsorships (which I don’t have as of yet).

If you’re willing to help, even with a couple of bucks, I’d be very grateful for your assistance. And I promise not to write such a long post next time.

If you’re willing to lend a hand, 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.

Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri spoke with the media today after signing a 3-year, $12 million contract extension with the Red Wings, and, as MLive’s Ansar Khan notes, Fabbri is perfectly happy as a Detroit Red Wing:

“It’s such a great group and improving each and every year,” Fabbri, 25, said. “It’s fun to be a part of. The fans have been great. we’ve been feeding off what they’ve been feeling this year and we’re feeling the same way in the room. We’re just trying to get better every game and it’s fun to be with this group, working towards what we want to be in the near future.”

General manager Steve Yzerman acquired Fabbri from the St. Louis Blues for fourth-line center Jacob de La Rose on Nov. 6. 2019. The Red Wings needed offense and believed Fabbri, the 21st overall pick in 2014, could provide it with opportunity.

“I was excited. A fresh start here with some familiar faces (he played with Tyler Bertuzzi in juniors and knew Dylan Larkin),” Fabbri said. “Things got off to a good start and have been great ever since.”

Fabbri has 32 goals and 63 assists in 110 games with Detroit over parts of three seasons. He has played mostly at wing on the second line but can play center in a pinch or on the top line if needed.

Continued

I missed this when I was out with my cold, but with the Wings’ roster players unable to take part in the annual charity poker tournament, the Red Wings are bringing in their alumni for February 16th’s annual poker tournament at the MotorCity Casino:

ANTE UP! ♥️♠️♦️♣️

Registration for @MotorCityCasino Hotel’s Annual #RedWings Charity Poker Tournament is now open!

Details » https://t.co/MhcRmow2a4 pic.twitter.com/ChAqf1uQqk— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 7, 2021

The Canadian Press’s Donna Spencer penned an article which mostly discusses the knowledge which former Team Canada World Junior Championship goaltender and current Team Canada World Junior Championship goaltending coach Olivier Michaud is imparting to his three charges in Team Canada’s net ahead of the 2022 WJC.

There are some items of note regarding Sebastian Cossa’s attempts to earn the starter’s spot on Canada’s roster:

The Canadian team relocated to Banff, Alta., after the 25-man roster was announced Sunday.

The three goalies [Dylan Garand, Brett Brochu and Cossa] played in selection camp’s two exhibition games against a university side, but “because these goalies are picked and because I had so many other decisions to make, I didn’t pay a lot of attention to my goaltenders,” Cameron said.

The competition for starts in Edmonton heats up in pre-tournament games. Canada faces Switzerland on Sunday and Sweden on Monday in Red Deer followed by a Dec. 22 game in Edmonton against Russia.

Those games carry a lot of weight in determining who will be in Canada’s net to open the tournament Dec. 26 against the Czech Republic in Rogers Place.

“You want to go there and you want to play,” the six-foot-seven Cossa said. “You want to help the team win.”

…

Cossa, a first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, also arrived with strong stats of a 15-3-2-1 record, a 2.26 goals-against, a .924 save percentage and two shutouts for the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings.

Continued

Updated at 12:09 PM: Of Red Wings-Islanders note from the New York Islanders’ skate ahead of the Red Wings’ game vs. New York tonight (7:30 PM EST on Bally Sports Dettroit/MSG+/97.1 FM):

Mathew Barzal not participating in otherwise full #Isles morning skate. Obviously will wait to talk to Trotz but Barzal always skates.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 14, 2021

Matt Martin again skating with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck at #Isles morning skate. Anthony Beauvillier taking rushes with Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. J-G Pageau between Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri and Zach Parise between Kieffer Bellows and Oliver Wahlstrom.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 14, 2021

By the way, I’m not suggesting Mathew Barzal is going to be a healthy scratch. He would be skating this morning if that was the case. Plus, he’s on a six-game point streak.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 14, 2021

Ilya Sorokin first goalie off for #Isles.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 14, 2021

Well this is bad:

Mat Barzal is in COVID protocol and won’t play tonight, per Barry Trotz— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) December 14, 2021

Barzal in COVID 19 protocl— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 14, 2021

Mathew Barzal is in COVID Protocol. #Isles— Christian Arnold (@C_Arnold01) December 14, 2021

Mat Barzal is in COVID protocol, per Barry Trotz— Ethan Sears (@ethan_sears) December 14, 2021

Barzal in COVID protocol. Most likely meaning he will miss 10 days. That will cost him 5 games and keep him out until after Christmas. #Isles— Brendan Burke (@brendanmburke) December 14, 2021

This is an #Isles team that was considered one of the deepest in the #NHL. This season, that depth has not lived up to expectations.

HC Trotz called out players like Kyle Palmieri and Josh Bailey during his pregame presser as they need to do more especially with Mat Barzal out.— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) December 14, 2021

FYI: The Red Wings are partnering with Socios.com and their app to “enhance the fan experience”:

5⃣One of the original 6.
11 time champs.
Detroit’s very own.

Welcome to https://t.co/2FROhSNgw8, @DetroitRedWings.#BeMoreThanAFan x #LGRW pic.twitter.com/wIZu10Jb4J— Socios.com (@socios) December 14, 2021

Okay, the Red Wings held a morning skate ahead of tonight’s game vs. the New York Islanders (7:30 PM EST start on Bally Sports Detroit/MSG+/97.1 FM), and Marc Staal made an appearance, but will not play as he’s coming out of COVID protocols.

After the morning skate, Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill spoke with the media…

As did Robby Fabbri, who signed a 3-year, $12 million contract extension last night:

The Red Wings held a brief morning skate ahead of tonight’s game vs. the New York Islanders, and Marc Staal (COVID protocol) rejoined the fray, with Alex Nedeljkovic apparently starting this evening (7:30 PM EST start on Bally Sports Detroit/MSG+/97.1 FM).

Our friends from Long Island watched the Wings’ morning skate…

Ex-#Isles G Thomas Greiss working late at Red Wings morning skate so appears Alex Nedeljkovic gets the start tonight here in Detroit. Nedeljkovic made 20 saves in Wings’ 4-3 OT win over Isles at Little Caesars Arena on Dec. 4.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 14, 2021

And the Islanders community is reeling from the news that top prospect and Team Finland center Aatu Raty will not be able to participate in the World Junior Championship in Edmonton due to a positive COVID test.

So:

Marc Staal is out of Covid protocol, but not expected to play tonight. #LGRW— Carley Johnston (@carleykjohnston) December 14, 2021

Marc Staal is out of COVID protocol, but Jeff Blashill said he does not anticipate him playing tonight. #LGRW— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) December 14, 2021

Red Wings’ Marc Staal is out of COVID-19 protocol but is not anticipated to play tonight vs NYI.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) December 14, 2021

Given that Staal was probably symptomatic, this is not a surprise. He’ll need some time to regain his “wind.”