Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels’ “Celebrity Roast of Brett Hull” takes place tonight at 8 PM EST, benefiting the Jamie Daniels Foundation, and Daniels spoke bluntly with MLive’s Ansar Khan about the serious reasons behind the roast:

Daniels cited statistics revealing more than 100,000 people in the U.S. have died from overdose in a 12-month period that ended in April of this year, and 90 percent who are addicted started from prescription drugs before age 18.

“That’s why the message has to be there – get it out of the homes, get rid of the prescription pills, you can become addicted in five days,” Daniels said. “End the shame and stigma. We have to continue the conversation. That’s what we talk about tonight. You’ll see a family who also lost their son, who are in the same position we are.”

Daniels said it’s not a moral failing, it’s a disease.

“The more people that talk about it and aren’t ashamed of it, if it’s out there, maybe we can stop it before someone dies or goes into hiding like we did as a family,” Daniels said. “We hid it. We didn’t know then what we know now. We don’t want people to follow the path we did. We had that shame and stigma.”

Daniels realizes he is fortunate to have a large platform to spread the message.

“My job gets it front and center. Not everyone can do that,” he said. “If my job helps convey that message in an easier fashion, then great, that’s what we’re meant to do. That will be (Jamie’s) legacy. These are ways to get people to keep thinking about what they can do to help in their own home, whether it be keep an eye on the kids, see how they are, see if their behavior has changed. It reminds people to get pills out of their homes. That’s continuing the conversation.”

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a notebook article about Dylan Larkin, who’s posted 16 points in the 16 games he’s played for Detroit this season;

Larkin had 23 points (14 assists) in 44 games last season. He has seven assists this season, for 16 points in 16 games, a point-per-game average. Larkin’s best offensive season was 2018-19, when he totaled 32 goals and 41 assists, for 73 points — career-highs in both goals and points.

The way Larkin has clicked with linemates Tyler Bertuzzi and Lucas Raymond, and as long as Larkin and his linemates can stay healthy, Larkin appears capable of closing in on those statistics.

“We all can think the game,” Larkin said of the trio. “Having Lucas’ great shot, him being a righty, that’s really sparking us. He can really see the ice. He can move the puck. He’s someone for Tyler and me to look for when we’re on our forehand. We all look to make plays. We all want to get right on the puck.”

When Larkin returned to the lineup last week after the COVID scare, Larkin talked about how the disappointment of last season somewhat has helped his approach to the game.

“The highs and lows of this league, they’re pretty dramatic at times especially if you let them,” Larkin said. “At times, I’ve really let them get to me. This year, I’ve really worked on not letting that happen and whether it’s going well or not, or other things have come into your life and take you out of the lineup for a week, or you can’t play in the third period, I’m just trying not to let it get to me and be grateful I’m here.

“I was really hoping when I came back after the time away (for the family emergency), I was really hoping to have all that in the past and try to move forward. I’m looking forward to doing that and continue to play and be there for the guys and play real hard and that’s what I’ve been trying to do. Not worry about whether pucks are going in, worried most about the team, and playing a good game.”

Continued

The Grand Rapids Griffins host the Chicago Wolves this Friday at 7 PM EST, and Friday’s game is the annual “Teddy Bear Toss” game:

What is your favorite part about Teddy Bear Toss?

Experience the magic this Friday!

Tickets >> https://t.co/YjJxKktFsa pic.twitter.com/Tiuo9l11ee— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 22, 2021

The Red Wings’ rookie duo of Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider appear to be a hot topic this morning. NBC Sports’ Pro Hockey Talk’s James O’Brien discussed the performances of the Wings’ rookie duo as they apply to the pair’s respective Calder Trophy candidacies:

Lucas Raymond: At just 19 years old, and a rebuilding Red Wings team, Lucas Raymond was far from a lock to even remain at the NHL level this season. Uh, you can go further than penciling Raymond into the Red Wings’ lineup. Might as well use a permanent marker.

Through 20 games, Lucas Raymond’s just a hair under a point-per-contest (seven goals, 12 assists for 19 points). Raymond’s 19 points leads all rookies, making him a Calder favorite. Heading into Sunday’s games, only three other rookies were even above double-digits in points.

Even if you didn’t account for a better-than-expected Red Wings team, it’s impressive that Raymond tops his squad in scoring. But when you factor hot starts for Tyler Bertuzzi (17 points in 17 games) and Dylan Larkin (16 in 16), Raymond topping Red Wings scorers is that much more impressive.

Perhaps his shooting percentage is a little high (14.6%), yet it’s not totally out of the question that he’s just that skilled. Even Raymond’s possession stats are good, and not just for a rookie.

When the Red Wings selected Lucas Raymond fourth overall in 2020,  many prospect-watchers raved. So far, that excitement looks justified — and sooner than expected.

Continued with praise for Seider of the Fancy Stats variety…

FYI:

At 8pm, we’ll toast and Roast NHL All-Star, Brett Hull! In addition to airing locally on @BallySportsDET, anyone can tune in via livestream on our website.

You can find streaming information, the silent auction, and ways to give by visiting here: https://t.co/1Oq4xnZ2q2 pic.twitter.com/XuZ62XGIWr— Jamie Daniels Foundation (@JDanielsFund) November 22, 2021

The Roast may be tonight, but you can still bid on all items for the auction until tomorrow at 12:00 pm! Make sure to tune in to the Celebrity Roast of Brett Hull on @BallySportsDET tonight at 8 pm or livestream on our website: https://t.co/FIsVN6BkMJ pic.twitter.com/m5OcQuXCqa— Jamie Daniels Foundation (@JDanielsFund) November 22, 2021

The Score posted a list of power rankings which highlight each and every one of the NHL’s 32 teams’ “Biggest Concerns” heading into American Thanksgiving week, and I can’t help but feel that the Wings’ “concern” is in fact a luxury:

25. Detroit Red Wings (8-9-3)

Previous rank: 25

The Red Wings are getting outstanding results from their top players and young guns. Having to choose between Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider in the Calder Trophy race should have some voters concerned already.

Continued; concerned? Shit, man, I’m grateful as grateful can be for Raymond and Seider performing so very well. I’ll worry about “Who deserves the Calder more” around game 75, and we just passed game 20.

The Score is launching a podcast called “When Goalies Were Weird” today, and there were none weirder than the man who back-stopped the Red Wings to the 2002 Stanley Cup, and won another with the Wings in 2008:

The Dominator. Hasek has one of those impeccable nicknames, right up there with “The Great One” for Wayne Gretzky, “The Rocket” for Maurice Richard, and “Mr. Hockey” for Gordie Howe.

What’s been lost in time is that it took a few tries before the hockey world landed on “The Dominator.” Former Blackhawks coach Mike Keenan called him “Dr. Dom” for a bit in Chicago. Broadcasters loved labelling him “Gumby.” And, briefly in the early ’90s, he was known as “The Count.”

Yes, “The Count.” Like Count Dracula.

“We’re going on a road trip, and we’re getting on the plane, and he had an overcoat. He did not put his arms through the overcoat. He buttoned the very top and, (like) back in medieval times, it looked like a cape,” said Mitch Korn, Hasek’s former goalie coach with the Sabres. “And one of the guys nicknamed him The Count.”

“He did not like that,” Korn added. “And it hung around until he got good. And when he got good, it disappeared in a hurry, replaced by The Dominator.”

That anecdote describes Hasek to a tee.

Continued; give it a listen! Dominik Hasek was as complicated a human being as he was plain old strange, so he was and is a fascinating man of many interests…He’s just always been a little…different.

MLive’s Ansar Khan offers “good” and “concerning” observations as the Red Wings hit the 20-game mark, and among his six observations are the following:

Dynamic duo of rookies: It has been 20 years since teammates finished 1-2 in Calder Trophy balloting (Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers). It could happen this season with Lucas Raymond (team-leading 19 points) and Moritz Seider (13 points), who rank 1-2 in the rookie scoring race. Raymond, the fourth overall pick in 2020, has fit in seamlessly on the top line with Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi due to his passing ability, dangerous shot, and hockey sense. Seider, the sixth selection in 2019, has been their best and most consistent defenseman, playing all situations and logging more than 22 minutes a game.

…

Captain regains form: Larkin’s first season as captain was disappointing (nine goals and 23 points in 44 games). He has equaled that goal total in just 16 games and is averaging a point a game (16 points) despite some unusual circumstances. He was suspended for one game (punching Tampa Bay’s Mathieu Joseph in retaliation for a hit from behind), missed three games due to a family emergency, and was forced to sit out the third period in Dallas last Tuesday because of what turned out to a false positive COVID-19 test.

…

Power play not potent enough: Sure, it was the preseason, but the Red Wings showed positive signs on the power play under new assistant coach Alex Tanguay. And while they have improved slightly, from 11.4 percent last season to 15.8 percent currently, it’s still not good enough. Despite having more depth and options with the additions of Raymond, Seider, Nick Leddy and Pius Suter and a healthy Bertuzzi, some of the same issues persist. They’re not getting enough shots on net and have been one shot and done too often.

Continued

DobberHockey’s Tom Collins posted a list of 10 players who should be able to sustain their scoring paces after starting strongly, and Red Wings rookie Lucas Raymond made Collins’ list:

2. Lucas Raymond: Raymond is a great example of a coach who puts a rookie in the best opportunity to succeed. How many times do we see a head coach bring a rookie in slowly, putting him on the fourth line to average seven minutes a night and forcing the rookie to “earn” his spot? Then the rookie doesn’t produce and it takes years before they are given a real shot. Despite the great preseason Raymond had, there was still talk he was going to be sent down to start the season. Instead, he was rewarded and made the team. He was immediately put on the top line and top power-play unit, where he continues to stay. His points-per-game may slow up a little, but as long as he is given the opportunity, he could flirt with 70 points. 

Continued; Raymond might not hit 70 points, but if he stays healthy, he’s proven to be a consistent contributor.

The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a subscriber-only article discussing 10 observations she’s made as the Red Wings hit the 20-game mark, or the “quarter pole” of their 82-game schedule:

Luke at him: Lucas Raymond picked up his 12th assist of the season on Larkin’s goal Saturday. The rookie’s performance really is remarkable for his consistency. He has points in 12 games, and 19 after 20 games. That’s only two behind Steve Yzerman’s pace in his rookie year of 1983-84.

…

Bert backs off: Tyler Bertuzzi’s early scoring pace — 14 points over his first 10 games — was not sustainable, but his overall play has dropped. He has two points during his past seven games, has been prone to turnovers and hasn’t played with the grit that makes him so effective. For the Wings to rebound, they need Bertuzzi back on his ‘A’ game.

…

Power outage: The Wings have one power play goal in their past seven games, during which they’ve had roughly 21 minutes total with an extra skater. They had two power plays in the second period Saturday but weren’t able to build on their 1-0 lead. It’s been an issue for several seasons, but this season there are enough skilled players to form two units. Coaches have moved players around on the units, but this is another area where the Wings need to gain some confidence.

Playoffs? The Wings are right in the middle of the pack in their division; they entered Sunday at No. 4 in the Atlantic, a couple points out of a playoff spot (though it’s skewed somewhat by the disparity in games played). But they’re only a bit below .500, which is pretty good, all in all. They’re certainly more fun to watch than the previous couple seasons’ version of the franchise. They need to use this mini-break to recharge and get back to being a team that out-hustles its opponent regularly.

Continued (paywall)