Kulfan’s trio of NHL preview articles discuss condensed schedule, Wings’ possible improvement

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed three subscriber-only articles as part of his NHL preview. First, Kulfan discusses the condensed schedule that the Red Wings will be playing…

In this newly contrived 2020-21 version of the division and schedule, the Wings will only play teams in this division — eight times each. And they’ll see baseball-style, two-game series to limit travel. No doubt, this will be different, with a bit of animosity thrown into the mix.

“It’s going to be physical games, you’re playing teams eight games this season (in the new schedule format), you can’t be on your heels, you have to put pressure on them,” forward Anthony Mantha said. “That’s the mentality I have to go with. It’s hard to tell at this point. We’re playing so many games in such a tight schedule, maybe the physicality will wear off a little bit. But there will be new rivalries created over this season, for sure.”

The two-game series format is definitely something that is intriguing. The format is popular in college hockey, and can certainly increase emotions.

Defenseman Troy Stecher, who played collegiately at North Dakota, feels the Wings can take advantage of the back-to-back series.

“Every weekend in college, you played a team on Friday and Saturday at your home venue or their home venue,” Stecher said. “We can kind of bring that style into our locker room, where if you lose one game, it’s not the end of the world. You just got to find a way to rebound the next game. You never want to get swept in a series.”

Kulfan offers a breakdown of every team and division, the Red Wings’ Central Division-playing status included…

Continue reading Kulfan’s trio of NHL preview articles discuss condensed schedule, Wings’ possible improvement

Roughly Translated: Mathias Brome says he’s ‘leaving the rink with his head held high’

HockeyNews.se’s Henrik Sjoberg spoke with Red Wings forward Mathias Brome just before the Red Wings announced their NHL roster–with Brome on said roster–on Tuesday afternoon, and here’s what Brome had to say, roughly translated from Swedish:

Brome’s hunt for an NHL spot: “I can leave the rink every day with my head held high”

Soon, NHL teams will nail down their teams for the premiere, tomorrow night, Swedish time.

In the last training camp games, Mathias Brome has played with two experienced players in Detroit–Valtteri Filppula and Sam Gagner.

“They’re skilled players I can learn a lot from. I feel that I have given everything now and I’ve actually been happy when I leave the rink every day,” says Brome to HockeyNews.se.

Continue reading Roughly Translated: Mathias Brome says he’s ‘leaving the rink with his head held high’

At least we’re on the journey

Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon filed a set of power rankings on Tuesday evening, and his summary of the Red Wings’ situation is very accurate:

31. Detroit Red Wings
Every update on how Wings prospects are performing around the world makes it easier to believe in GM Steve Yzerman’s plan. It’s just going to take some time to get there.

Continued

Update: ESPN’s Emily Kaplan’s power rankings came out on Wednesday morning:

31. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 31
Stanley Cup odds: +20000

The Red Wings allowed 265 goals last season — 27 more than any other team. Detroit should be less leaky thanks to improved goaltending (Thomas Greiss) and several veteran blue-line additions (Marc Staal, Troy Stecher, Jon Merrill).

Dylan Larkin tells 97.1 the Ticket that Filip Zadina’s hungry for pucks

Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin spoke with 97.1 the Ticket’s Stoney and Jansen with Heather show on Tuesday morning (here’s hoping that the embed works as there’s no MP3 yet)…

And Larkin praised teammate Filip Zadina, as noted by 97.1 the Ticket’s Will Burchfield:

Continue reading Dylan Larkin tells 97.1 the Ticket that Filip Zadina’s hungry for pucks

Prospect Round-up: Seider’s injury, Grewe’s assist highlight busy Tuesday

Of prospect-related note on Tuesday:

In the SHL, Moritz Seider took a heavy hit and left a game that Rogle BK ultimately lost 5-2 to Leksands IF. Seider played only 1:41 before leaving the game, and Rogle stated that Seider “felt fine, given the circumstances”;

Albert Johansson finished at -2 with 4 shots in 17:38 played as Farjestads BK lost 3-1 to IK Oskarshamn;

And Albin Grewe had an assist, finishing at +1 with 2 shots in 7:16 played as Djurgardens IF lost 3-2 to Brynas;

In Belarus, Kirill Tyutyayev had an assist, finishing at +2 with 1 shot as Yunost Minsk won 7-2 over Mogolev;

In the ICE Hockey League, Jesper Eliasson was the back-up in the Red Bulls Salzburg’s 4-1 loss to the Vienna Capitals;

And in Denmark, Filip Larsson was not on the roster as his Fredrikshavn White Hawks lost 6-2 to Sonderjyske.

Griffins announce 11 players sent to team, including Svechnikov

From the Grand Rapids Griffins:

DETROIT ASSIGNS 11 TO GRAND RAPIDS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday assigned 11 players to the Grand Rapids Griffins: forwards Riley Barber, Kyle Criscuolo, Turner Elson, Taro Hirose, Chase Pearson, Evgeny Svechnikov and Dominic Turgeon; defensemen Joe Hicketts, Brian Lashoff and Dylan McIlrath; and goaltender Kaden Fulcher.

Players will soon begin skating informally in Grand Rapids in advance of the start of Griffins training camp later this month, as the team prepares for the beginning of the American Hockey League’s season on Feb. 5. The schedule of games is yet to be announced.

While the Griffins remain hopeful for the potential to host fans at Van Andel Arena at some point, it is anticipated that games will begin without a significant number of attendees. Griffins fans are encouraged to watch the games on AHLTV, tune in on Newsradio WOOD 106.9 FM/1300 AM, and follow the team’s social media channels. Important information for Griffins season ticket members is available at griffinshockey.com.

Red Wings’ roster and taxi squad revealed; 11 players assigned to Grand Rapids

The Red Wings announced their roster and taxi squad earlier on Tuesday afternoon:

RED WINGS REDUCE ROSTER BY 21 … Detroit to Host Carolina on Thursday to Open 2020-21 Season …

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today assigned forwards Riley Barber, Kyle Criscuolo, Turner Elson, Taro Hirose, Chase Pearson, Evgeny Svechnikov and Dominic Turgeon, defensemen Joe Hicketts, Brian Lashoff and Dylan McIlrath and goaltender Kaden Fulcher to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Red Wings also assigned six players to their taxi squad: forwards Michael Rasmussen and Givani Smith, defensemen Dennis Cholowski and Gustav Lindstrom and goaltenders Kevin Boyle and Calvin Pickard.

Additionally, the Red Wings designated forward Darren Helm and defensemen Christian Djoos and Jared McIsaac as non-roster and released goaltender Pat Nagle from his professional tryout.

Detroit’s roster currently stands at 22 players: 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. The Red Wings will open the 2020-21 campaign at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Carolina Hurricanes (FOX Sports Detroit/97.1 The Ticket).

Moritz Seider takes a heavy hit playing for Rogle

Yikes! Red Wings prospect and Rogle BK defenseman Moritz Seider’s team is battling Leksand today, and Seider took a heavy hit during the first period, per @IceHockeyGifs on Twitter:

After the first period ended, as the Detroit News’s Gregg Krupa noted, Rogle put out a statement which translates to, “Moritz Seider left after a heavy check, he will not return tonight but is fine under the circumstances.”

Svechnikov, Wings’ other waived players clear

Updated 2x at 12:43 PM: The Red Wings’ waived players cleared the waiver wire today:

CAR claims Forsberg— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 12, 2021

SJ claims Balcers— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 12, 2021

NJ claims Comrie— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 12, 2021

NASH claims Sbisa— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 12, 2021

Everyone else cleared— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 12, 2021

Evgeny Svechnikov cleared waivers today. He can be assigned to taxi squad or @griffinshockey or be on #RedWings season-opening roster. https://t.co/70Mp04jJ8L— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) January 12, 2021

Evgeny Svechnikov not claimed by anyone on waivers; #RedWings don’t lose any players, don’t pick up anyone— Ted Kulfan (@tkulfan) January 12, 2021

Update: Kulfan weighs in in article form:

Continue reading Svechnikov, Wings’ other waived players clear

The Word on Woodward to feature Dallas Drake, Larry Murphy

From the Detroit Red Wings:

Today’s episode features a discussion on the Red Wings’ final roster which will be announced later today, Team USA’s win in the World Junior Championship and interviews with former Red Wings forward Dallas Drake, Hockey Hall of Famer Larry Murphy and FOX Sports Detroit’s Matt Shepard.