A non-hockey word before the biggest bar night of the year

It might sound campy to do this on a hockey blog, but it’s my blog, and I get to write what I want, so, a word ahead of the Wednesday before American Thanksgiving:

I headed out to Walgreens, Busch’s and Kroger on Tuesday afternoon to pick up a prescription for the aunt, pick up our pre-prepared Thanksgiving dinner, and then do a big grocery shopping run on Tuesday afternoon.

I learned very quickly what all of us have to pack this year when we venture out into the gaping maw of pre-holiday crowds: a lot of patience, some consideration for the understaffed retail workers who are being overworked, and a little bit of kindness for self and others.

It’s going to be a little crazy over the next couple of weeks as there seems to be a real pent-up demand to get out and about among the world again, lingering pandemic or no lingering pandemic, so the crowds will be bigger and more dense, and the retail staff will be smaller, so the wait will be longer (sometimes for less stuff on the shelf).

Anyway, the other thought I have this morning as I stand on my little soapbox is that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the biggest “bar night” of the year.

The only places shittier to visit on the night before Thanksgiving than a sad dive bar (been there, don’t ask) or the push-and-shove of a closing supermarket (which can be a wild scene) are an ER or a police office, so please be safe out there. Plan ahead to have a designated driver, call an Uber, call a cab (they still exist here in Southeastern Michigan), do whatever you need to get home safe.

I know that after two years of pandemic fun, we all want to get out of the house and really let loose, but in this modern world, we all need to take precautions…

And my arm is sore from my booster on Monday, and that’s all I’m going to say about that part of being a good citizen.

Anyway, I wish you a safe and happy American Thanksgiving. Here’s hoping that the Wings get back to .500 for our all our sakes this evening.

Getting through the holiday itself is another missive entirely, of course, but we all have our crazy uncles and aunts. And nephews and nieces, as my aunt would suggest. 😉

Be safe! Be kind! And happy Thanksgiving!

Kulfan’s ‘surprises’ and ‘disappointments’ include Raymond and Seider (as ‘surprises’)

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan has posted a “quarter pole” column this morning, discussing “surprises and disappointments” from around the NHL. Two Red Wings make his “surprises” list, and rightfully so:

Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider: There was so much hype about the Red Wings’ rookie duo heading into the season. To both young players’ credit, they’ve matched the hype. Raymond has thrived while playing on a line with Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, leading all rookies with seven goals, 12 assists and 19 points. Seider trails only Raymond with 11 assists and 13 points. The two look like cornerstones of the Wings’ organization for a long time. 

Continued; there’s no paywall in this article at the time I’m posting it, so give it a look

ESPN’s power rankings: Raymond is breaking out

ESPN’s Kristen Shilton posted a set of power rankings this morning, and the Red Wings wind up just about where you’d think they would (actually a little higher than I thought the Wings would wind up)…With a spotlight upon a “breakout star”:

24. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 0.475
Upcoming schedule: vs. STL (Nov. 24), vs. BUF (Nov. 27), @ BOS (Nov. 30)

Lucas Raymond. No disrespect to rookie Moritz Seider‘s similarly excellent breakthrough season here, but fellow freshman Raymond is really turning things up. The 19-year-old continually seems to improve, especially in how he can drive play. It’s no wonder Raymond is not only the NHL’s top rookie scorer but has passed Tyler Bertuzzi for the Red Wings’ lead in points (19). Raymond also has seven goals. The Red Wings have an exciting young talent on their hands.

Continued; I have really enjoyed watching Raymond play a mature game, and I guess they just make ’em right in Frolunda;

At the same time, I think that Seider is learning a more difficult and unforgiving position in defense in the NHL, and I have great admiration for the learning process he’s been going through over his first 20 NHL games.

Red Wings-Blues set-up: getting to know you…all over again

The Detroit Red Wings play the St. Louis Blues tomorrow night at Little Caesars Arena (7:30 PM EST start on Bally Sports Detroit Plus/Bally Sports Midwest/97.1 FM).

The Wings play St. Louis again in the Gateway City on December 9th, so a pair of teams that haven’t played each other since October of 2019 will become familiar with each other again over the course of the next three weeks.

St. Louis sits at 10-6-and-2 going into their 19th game, and they’ve won 2 of their past 3 games, including a 5-2 decision over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.

The 8-9-and-3 Red Wings are looking to head into the American Thanksgiving break at .500, and the Wings will play in their 21st game looking to snap an 0-3-and-1 road losing streak as they settle in for a 2-game home stand.

The Blues held an optional practice on Tuesday, per In the Slot’s Lou Korac…

And during the evening, Blues coach Craig Berube spoke with 101 ESPN in St. Louis, revealing that Schenn will probably return vs. the Wings, as The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford noted:

Continue reading Red Wings-Blues set-up: getting to know you…all over again

Toledo Walleye’s Matt Berry named ECHL player of the week

Via the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe comes good news regarding the Wings’ ECHL affiliate:

Toledo Walleye forward Matt Berry, who produced six points in two games last weekend, was named the ECHL player of the week Tuesday.

Berry tallied six points with three goals and three assists in Toledo’s two wins at the Huntington Center on Friday and Saturday. It is the second time in his career that Berry has received the weekly honor.

The Canton, Mich. native had a goal and an assist in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Iowa Heartlanders. On Saturday, he followed that up with two goals and two assists in a 6-1 victory against the Heartlanders.

Berry also had a plus-minus rating of plus-5 for the week of Nov. 15 to 21.

“It was a good weekend and hopefully we can keep it rolling,” Berry said after Sunday’s win. “Everyone in the room is feeling good when everyone is contributing. It’s good vibes on the bench.”

The 29-year-old is leading the ECHL in assists with 13 and in points with 21 through Toledo’s first 12 games.

Prospect Round-up Europe: Soderblom 2G, Edvinsson 2A as Frolunda (and Rogle) advance in Champions Hockey League play

Of Red Wings prospect-related note from Europe today:

In the Champions Hockey League, both Frolunda HC and Rogle BK advanced to the “round of 16” by winning their first and second games vs. their opponents in best-of-three “round of 32” playoff rounds.

Rogle BK won 3-1 over the ZSC Lions, and William Wallinder had 3 shots in 12:48 played on Rogle’s blueline;

Frolunda HC also advanced by winning 4-1 over Adler Mannheim. Elmer Soderblom scored 2 goals, finishing at +3 with 5 shots in 13:28 played;

Simon Edvinsson had 2 assists, finishing at +1 in 16:03 played;

And Theodor Niederbach finished even with 2 shots in 11:49 played.

Per IceHockeyGifs on Twitter:

A quick note about both Marc Staal and the Wings’ sked ahead from Duff

Of Red Wings-related note from Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff this evening:

Defenseman Marc Staal didn’t practice on Tuesday as the Red Wings returned to the ice following a couple of days away from the rink.

“He’s still ill, non-COVID,” Blashill said of Staal. 

Staal has missed Detroit’s last two games due to his illness. There is not word yet as to whether he might be available for Wednesday’s game at Little Caesars Arena against the St. Louis Blues.

Returning from an 0-3-1 road trip, the Red Wings are opening a two-game homestand on Wednesday. They are playing five of their next six games at LCA. The Red Wings are 5-2-2 at home so far this season.