The Detroit Red Wings get the sixth pick in the draft for the second straight year

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings in the tail end of a rebuild will pick  sixth overall in the first round of the 2019 NHL draft. Red Wings fans freaked out saying the team should have tanked for better draft position. I respectfully disagree.

Detroit Red Wings fans are a fickle group. They want their team to have the top pick every year. This season like last the Red Wings will pick sixth. It is a good position for the team to be in. Fans are angry.

The Detroit Red Wings will have their pick of top players. Anyone from Russian winger Vasili Podkolzin, to Swedish defensemen Victor Soderstrom. Great prospects will come Detroit’s way. It is a very good draft class.

Detroit Red Wings fans, are a group I would love to sit down with and explain one thing to. While having the first pick in the draft is nice, It pales in comparison to having the young core player (Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzie, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Filip Hronek, Dennis Cholowski and Filip Zadina) take HUGE steps forward this season.

The young Red Wings got hot at the end of the season and had a winning streak that should carry over into next season. Yet, for some reason that is not enough for Red Wings Nation. They wanted the grand prize in the 2019 draft Jack Hughes. I wanted the young players to show it was time to pull out of the rebuild and time to win. They did.

The kicker in all of this is the Detroit Red Wings have over $17 million coming off the salary cap. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, Can upgrade his team at will. That is a ton of money to have to offer free agents. Holland himself said just last week the team plans to spend this summer.

All of this just proves how good of shape the Red Wings are in. All eyes are now focused on the draft.

Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin being named captain by next season

Embed from Getty Images Talking to the media Monday after the Detroit Red Wings cleaned out their lockers at Little Caesars Arena, general manager Ken Holland gave insight as to when  the Wings will have another player with a ‘C’ on his sweater.

During the 2018-19 season the Red Wings went with four alternates captains instead of one. Frans Nielsen , Niklas Kronwall and Justin Abdelkader joined Larking with an “A” on their sweaters. That is simply too many voices in the locker room.

Veteran Wings forward Thomas Vanek noted how much growth he has seen in Larkin this past season.  “For sure I can see him be a good captain, a good leader.” Vanek said matter-of-factly.

Holland left open the possibility that if the Wings sign a superstar in free agency, “maybe that affects your thinking.” It is difficult to see someone who has yet to play for the Red Wings being handed the team leader.  Henrik Zetterberg and his predecessors, Nicklas Lidstrom and Steve Yzerman, were all draft picks who spent their entire careers with the Red Wings organization.

Detroit  drafted Dylan Larkin in 2014, ahead of their rebuild. He has been a leader in the locker room, on ice and in the community. Ken Holland ended by saying this, “He’s a legitimate candidate,  He plays hard. He’s a tremendous player. He’s going to be the face of this franchise. Certainly he would be a leading candidate to be the next captain, but I’m not prepared to have that announcement today.”

The end of the season is not the time or place to name a captain. Players were packing their belongings before heading off to the homes. With the season that saw setbacks and a glimpse at a brighter future. It was time to disengage and focus on summer.

Training camp will open soon enough. A new season, a bright future, a new captain.

Detroit Red Wings give Jeff Blashill a two year extension

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill will be back behind their bench the team announced the two year contract Tuesday morning. General manager Ken Holland had been talking about an extension since the trade deadline.

The timing of the contract comes as the Red Wings have enjoyed their longest winning streak of the season, at five games, and have won seven of their last eight games. “I’m not going to do a one-year deal,” Ken Holland said. “I think Jeff has to walk in that locker room and the players know that he’s the boss.”

It appears the front office likes how competitive  Blashill has had the team playing, and the development of the young guys who are key to the rebuild. Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Bertuzzi are all having career years this season.

Jeff Blashill  135-143-47 as Red Wings head man. Ken Holland is convinced Blashill is a better coach now than when he started. Perhaps he is. He has done a solid job with young players. Despite having a losing record behind the bench.

The Detroit Red Wings are committed to keeping Blashill to oversee the rebuild, as they should be. He came to Detroit as a known player development specialist. He has done his job. Not too mention most nights the Wings have been very competitive in games.

“I grew up a Red Wing fan, so as a lifelong fan, it’s unbelievable to be able to do this on a daily basis,” Jeff Blashill said. He went on to say he believes the team is  starting to head in the right direction.

One of the biggest criticisms of Blashill has been his tendency to favor underperforming veteran players. This season has been different. He is letting the young players play a lot.

A rebuild is not about wins and losses. It is about getting the young players to take the next step and become playoff ready. Jeff Blashill has done and is doing that. He absolutely should be able to see the rebuild through.

Taro Hirose has been excellent for the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images After completing the Big Ten schedule at Michigan State, the Detroit Red Wings signed Taro Hirose. Hirose is the first Spartan to sign with the Red Wings since Justin  Abdelkader. Fresh out of college Taro has recorded an assist in each of his first two games.

Taro Hirose has proven the NHL game is not to big or fast for him. Something many prospects need time to adjust to. Hirose’s poise with the puck has stood out during his Detroit showing.

Taro Hirose’s scouting report said he was an above average playmaker. Taro’s playmaking has stood out as well. He does not shoot the puck as much. But as he gets more comfortable the Wings will ask him to shoot more often.

Taro,  led the NCAA in points this past season with 50, 15 Goals, 35 assists Hirose also edged out Wolverines defender Quinn Hughes winning the Big Ten player of the year award.

The 22-year-old has made a seamless transition from Michigan State to the NHL. So seamless in fact that Detroit is using  him on the power play. Hirose has put his display a superb amount of speed on display.

It is rare that a player just out of college is not afraid to make plays. “I try to study the game and create offense and before you get the puck, just to know where guys like to be,” Hirose said. “Talk with my linemates and figure out the areas of the ice they like to go. It’s sort of like second nature when you get the puck, you know where they’ll be, and you can make those no-look, nice passes.”

“He looks like he wants to make a play every time he has the puck,” coach Jeff Blashill said. The Detroit Red Wings seem to have signed a player who is ready to step in full time next season. He is exactly the kind of playmaker Detroit needs going forward.

The Detroit Red Wings need Anthony Mantha to be more consistent

Embed from Getty Images Anthony Mantha had hoped this would be the season he would break the 30 goal marker. A bad start to the season coupled with a injured  hand due to a fight Dec. 2 – which kept Mantha out of 15 games just as he was turning his season around has left the Detroit Red Wings forward seeking consistency.

While Mantha does have 19 goals on the season and a real shot at 20, Anthony Mantha was asked if 20 goals is a satisfying, “No, it’s not,” Mantha said after Saturday night’s game. “I’ve had ups and down this year, but I had to focus a little more on the downs and try to build off of that for next year,  and try to be an even better player next year.”

This has been the feeling for the Detroit Red Wings and Mantha. For three seasons now this was supposed to be his break-out season. Once again it was not. That is the bad. Not to just key in on that, there is good as well.

For instance, Anthony Mantha, has played much better defense and on the power play. He has proven himself to be a key player for the Wings. Mantha needs to take the next step.

Mantha broke his hand defending teammate Dylan Larkin, in turn making himself a better one. “There’s inherent risk in getting into a fight. He was sticking up for Larkin in that case, who got his head rung against the boards.” Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said.

Mantha said he would and will do it again with hesitation. It did appear that when he came back after hand surgery, Mantha was not as aggressive. He looked tentative. Which is somewhat expected. Mantha did not bounce back into form for three weeks post surgery.

For Anthony Mantha and the Detroit Red Wings, he needs to take the next step and become the consistent scoring threat he has flashed so many times in the past. Mantha needs to show he is ready to take his game and the team to the next level. Something he is capable of doing.

Goalie Jimmy Howard expected to sign a one year extension with the Detroit Red Wings

 Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings are expected to announce a one year extension for longtime Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard at some point this week. The deal is believed to in the $4 million dollar range.

The Detroit Red Wings drafted Howard 64th overall in 2003, he recently played his 500th game and has professed he would like to finish his career with the only NHL team  he has known. Howard said. “I love playing for the Wings. My family loves living in Detroit. It’s very special.” It seems that is the way it will play out.

The extension shores up the Red Wings goaltending through next season. There is currently no  goalie prospect NHL ready in the organization. From the 2016-17 season through 2017-18 season, Howard accumulated a .915 save percentage and 2.63 goals against average.

Howard has been one of the more consistent players for the Red Wings this season, better than his .907 save percentage and 3.07 goals-against average through 47 games reflect. Jimmy Howard said he is comfortable with the one-year contract, as the Red Wings can continue to evaluate the veteran goaltender year to year basis.

The Detroit Red Wings do have some young goalies in the organization. They are no where close to being ready. The Wings need to prioritize developing young net-minders. Detroit in the past has signed veteran goalies like Dominik Hasek and Mike Vernon.

This is the safe road for Detroit. Howard has been a very steady and solid goalie and he is a known commodity to the fans, coaches, front office. It also gives Detroit wiggle room if they want to sign a free agent goalie.

Detroit Red Wings general manager gets some credit, in the past he gave older players outrageously big contract. In terms and years. The fact he is only giving Jimmy Howard a one year deal, signals he understands where is team is in the rebuild process.

 

The Detroit Red Wings are facing a HUGE offseason

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings have been rebuilding their roster. That is not new news. During this time the Red Wings have placed emphasis on restocking with promising young talent. The  Wings are in a good position to win the 2019 NHL Draft Lottery. But there is more to the offseason story.

For starters questions surround the future of general manager Ken Holland who is under contract though 2019-2020. There is a loud noise coming out of Detroit, Holland could be replaced this summer by former Red Wings Hall-of-Famer Steve Yzerman, who built the Tampa Bay Lightning into a league powerhouse.

Ken Holland has been been mentioned with the current general managers job with the  Edmonton Oilers. It is well known Holland and Oilers owner Daryl Katz are good friends. So there could be something to this rumor.

The Detroit Red Wings currently stand with an 11.5% chance at the number one pick in the NHL draft. Even if Detroit does not have the top pick they will have a top five pick and will be able to grab a potential impact player in the top-five.

With plenty of salary cap space, Detroit could look to set their  sights on a club with limited salary-cap space. Holland (or whoever is in the general mangers chair) could dangle offer sheets to young restricted free agents on cap-strapped teams.

The Detroit Red Wings Pipeline is in very good shape as far as prospects, who could be trade bait to pry away a budding stars such as Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner.

With the young Red Wings core taking steps forward, this is a bit of a critical offseason. The Red Wings next phase needs to be bringing in good solid veterans. Both offense and defense. No reason to go sign a player like Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks just yet.

But a couple of players that can bring the young Wings to the playoffs doorstep. That is what needs to happen as the curtain closes on the 2018-19 regular season and the Detroit Red Wings begin to prep for the offseason.

 

The Detroit Pistons look like they will end the cities playoff drought

Embed from Getty Images Detroit has not seen a professional sports team in the playoffs since 2016. The city has produced eight championships since 1984. No Detroit team is close to winning a championship. These are sad days in Motown.

The Detroit Tigers have not been in the post season since they were swept in 2014 by the  Baltimore Orioles. Now coming off the second consecutive 98 loss season the Tigers are still in rebuild mode.

In 2015 the Detroit Lions lost to the  Seattle Seahawks, in the wild-card round.  In 2018 the Lions finished 6-10, but have their sights on the 2019 playoffs after a solid free agent signing period and a top ten draft pick. That is enough to give Lions fans hope.

The Red Wings will miss the playoffs for the third year in a row. While the Wings are closer to returning to competitive hockey, they are still a couple years away from being a serious Stanley Cup threat. Yet they are getting better that is the good news.

That leaves the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons currently hold the 6th position in the East.  The Pistons are likely to be a one round playoff team, certainly if they face Milwaukee or Toronto,  in the East it could very well be the case.

The Pistons fought through a sluggish January and February and the team opted not to tank and go into a rebuild. That could have perhaps sent some fans over the edge. The team now is looking at a playoff spot under first-year coach Dwane Casey.

The Detroit Pistons have not won a playoff game since 2008. While it does not look good at the moment, if the team can somehow slide into the 5th spot in the East, they would have a more favorable match up. Best case, Detroit draws Indiana in the first series. Otherwise, it will be a quick post-season for the Pistons.

As the season winds down Detroit Red Wings Larkin and Athanasiou have a shot at 30 goals

Embed from Getty Images It has been one full decade since the Detroit Red Wings have had a 30 goal scorer. In a lost season for the Detroit Red Wings it is about what is next. It shows how close the organization is to returning to competitive hockey again by have two of the teams young stars closing in on 30 goals.

On a chilly day in the Motor City, Andreas Athanasiou scored goals numbers 25 and 26 as the Red Wings beat the New York Islanders 2-1  in a rare win. The two goals moved the young forward/center into second place on the team in goals scored. Dylan Larkin is at this time the team leader with 27.

Andreas Athanasiou, is a pure goal scorer who plays little defense. That was the knock on him his first couple of NHL seasons. This season has seen Andreas’ defense improve. He even checked a player from New York into the boards.

When Athanasiou’s defense is as consistent as his offense he will be a dynamic player. He will also be a force to be reckoned with. Giving the Red Wings the potential to have multiple players capable of 30 goals.

Last season the Detroit Red Wings asked Dylan Larkin to work on his passing and forecheck. He did. It came at the expense of his goal scoring. Larkin had a career low 16 goals in the 2017-18 season. Having worked on his game and clean it up, the Red Wings told Larkin to return to shooting the puck more. He did. To the tune of 27 goals this season.

This is what a rebuild looks like. It is not as easy as drafting players and sticking them out on the ice. It is draft them, see what they bring to the table and working with them. Allowing them space and time to fail and succeed.

Now Detroit has an excellent two way center in Dylan Larkin who can do it all. They have a budding superstar in Andreas Athanasiou who has improved every season he has played in Motown.

Both players are under 24 years old, and both are explosive goal scorers. Both players have gotten better every game they have played for the Winged Wheels.

Both players are above average in the face-off circle as well. Athanasiou who is transitioning to center and done very well with the move has also had to play wing for the Red Wings due to injuries to Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi earlier in the season.

The Detroit Red Wings are not sure if Andreas Athanasiou will continue to stay at center. The Red Wings are looking at a top three lottery pick in June’s NHL draft and could take a center in the draft. It just depends where they think Anthanasiou can both excel and help the Wings.

The last time Detroit had more than one 30  goal scorer was 2008-09 the year  Detroit won it’s  last Stanley Cup Championship, when Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa reached the goal mark.

This is very good news for the rebuilding Red Wings who are just about set for flight again.

Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi has a rare combination of grit and speed

Embed from Getty Images In a tough rebuilding season. One that has seen the Detroit Red Wings bottom out. The Red Wings young core has grown and taken big steps forward. One of those players has really shined. Tyler Bertuzzi.

Tyler Bertuzzi  is a bit of a throwback, in appearance with the missing teeth and the long hair. Do no let that fool you Tyler has absolutely blossomed this season for a Detroit hockey team that has struggled.

Bertuzzi plays with a lot of grit. He is not afraid to irritate opposing teams. His speed sets him apart. Yet the Red Wings are a much better team when Tyler is on the first line with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha.

Bertuzzi wasn’t projected as a high-scorer when the Red Wings selected him in the second round, 58th overall, in 2013. That was a false projection. Through 58 games played Tyler has 16 goals and 33 points to go with 17 assists. He has found a home in front of the net. Tyler has been solid on the power play as well.

What really stands out about Tyler Bertuzzi is he is big on the puck, he has good  hands, he’s got the shot, He is not the most flashy player. Yet “Bert” as he known by his teammates makes the Detroit Red Wings a better more dangerous team.

One of his biggest attributes is Bertuzzi is not afraid to  play physical on the wall and in the corners or on the blue line. He is always looking for ways to get the puck. He also is always looking for someone to knock out of the way.

Tyler has shown  he can make great decisions with the puck. Something that takes young players a while to pick up on. What has helped the Red Wings now and will help in the future is Bertuzzi has the versatility to play on a top line while he can also play on the grind line.

Tyler Bertuzzi has become a fan favorite. He has endeared himself to his teammates and shown that he is a valuable player who will be key to the next wave of Detroit Red Wings playoff hockey. Which is coming soon.