Tag: Detroit Red Wings

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Filip Zadina scores his first NHL goal for the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images When a rookie has only played in three games that is hardly reason to break out the anointing oil. But when it is a so-called can’t miss prospect it is hard to not feel excited. That is what Red Wings rookie Filip Zadina did for not only the Detroit Red Wings but also the Wings fans.

Last summer when Filip Zadina fell into Detroit’s lap at #6 in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft Red Wings general manager Ken Holland raced to the podium to make the selection. Holland did not use the full two minutes. Nor should he have with a player like Zadina who was thought to go top three.

“What I like is he’s looked more and more dangerous every game,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s real dynamic on the power play. That is putting it lightly. Zadina has generational talent. He flashed it last night in Colorado when he sent a laser past the Avalanche goalie .

It goes a bit deeper, Zadina saw significant ice time. Over 18 minutes. His 5 on 5 play has gotten better in his fourth game. He was given a shot at the power play where he found the back of the net.

This is why the Detroit Red Wings are giving him a nine game look. They wanted to see if he could grow game to game at the NHL level. He has.

In his fourth straight game since being called up from Grand Rapids on Feb. 23, Filip Zadina was noticeable all over the ice. His defense even took a big step as Filip laid a hit on  Ian Cole.

Zadina also jumped on a loose puck in front of his own net and skated the puck up the ice to create a scoring chance in the second period. Again positive steps for the 19 year old. Showing the speed of the game has slowed down for him.

It is because Filip Zadina is a pure  shooter/sniper the Red Wings have struck gold. He is destined for 40 goals in Motown. When he makes the team out of training camp. Which could happen next season.

Now what did I say about anointing oil?

 

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Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay passes away at 93

Embed from Getty Images 4- time Stanley Cup champion and Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay has passed away. Lindsay who was born in 1925, played 14 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, winning Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955. The left wing was nicknamed “Terrible Ted” for his toughness on the ice.

Ted Lindsay, leaves a huge legacy behind. Ted’s on-ice excellence was matched by his off-ice commitment to improving the lives of his colleagues, as well as children. He started the players union. So players are better off because of his hard work.

He started the Ted Lindsay foundation for autism and children. Lindsay’s interest in autism was sparked nearly two decades ago, when he was working out with John Czarnecki, his physical therapist and trainer. Czarnecki had a young son who had been  diagnosed with autism. In true Ted Lindsay fashion he jumped in to help out a teammate.

To date the Ted Lindsay foundation has raised $3.5 million for autism related causes. On ice Lindsay though small 5′ 8″ was not to be messed with. Period. There was a reason players called him “Terrible Ted.” He famously said “I do not worry about the big guy, they fall farther than little guys. That’s all.”

Ted was the league’s top scorer in 1949-50 with 78 points. He’s sixth in goals in franchise history with 335 and fifth in penalty minutes, with 1,423. He received more than 600 stitches during his time as a player. Lindsay scored 335 of his 379 goals in a Red Wings sweater, ranking sixth all-time in team history behind Gordie Howe (786), Steve Yzerman (692), Alex Delvecchio (456), Sergei Fedorov (400) and Henrik Zetterberg (337).

For myself I will remember the kind gentle Ted Lindsay who made regular stops at Detroit Red Wings games. I always make it a point to walk past his statue in Little Caesar’s Arena. As our family has been touched by autism. Mr. Lindsay was a loud voice for these children. A voice that is now in the hands of current Red Wing, Dylan Larkin.

Detroit has lost a champion for the city. Autism has lost a champion for the cause. It is a sad day in Motown.

 

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Christopher Ilitch mum of possible Detroit Red Wings reunion with Steve Yzerman

Embed from Getty Images In case you missed it. Before NHL training camps opened on the 2018-19 season Tampa Bay Lightning general manger Steve Yzerman announced he was stepping down. Not only did he announce it he said he was headed back to Detroit. Causing a frenzy in Motown.

Stating he was tired of trying to tend to his family and flying back and forth between Detroit and Tampa Florida. Detroit Red Wings legend and 20 year captain Steve Yzerman sent a shock wave through the league.

Yzerman who is widely thought of as one of if not the top general manager in hockey was making himself a free agent. One thing. It seems like the only place he is willing to go is the general managers chair in Detroit.

It is known that Yzerman was asked and said no to both the Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers general managers jobs when they opened a few months ago. Leaving the Flyers owner to say “I think it’s clear he wants to be in Detroit.”

When asked point blank if he has reached out to Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings owner Christopher Ilitch said “No, we have not done that. He is under contract and we generally have a rule within our organization not talking about executives are others who are under contract with another organization.”

That seemed like it was disheartening news to hear. Until Ilitch offered something so small yet so powerfully telling, “There’s not a lot I can say about that other the I know his contract is expiring this summer, and leave it at that.”

So let us take a closer look at that. Ilitch said he has not contacted Yzerman. Fair enough. He really does not need to. It is clear the owner is keeping tabs on the Detroit legend. He acknowledged he knows his contract is expiring.

Throw in the fact Steve Yzerman has already turned down two job opportunities and is known to want to stay in Detroit. Ilitch does not need to approach him now. Simply wait until June 1 when Yzerman’s Lightning obligations are done.

Ken Holland will be in the final year of his two year contract with the Red Wings. He may not get the last year if Christopher Ilitch turns to Yzerman. Which seems likely to happen.

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Dylan Larkin ready to lead the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images If there was any question who the next captain of the Detroit Red Wings would be that question has been answered. The Red Wings are woefully bad. But young players have taken HUGE steps forward. One player stands above all.

After the worst loss of the season 8-1 at home to Montreal, young Detroit Red Wings center was seen on the bench starting at his teammates in a moment of total anger and frustration. Larkin took his helmet off and slammed it on the ground. He walked up the tunnel to collect himself before rejoining the team.

Asked about it after the game Larking stood before the Detroit media and said “I was not happy with my performance or the teams effort. It starts with me.” Just like that a captain was found. Not that Dylan Larkin was not going to be the guy.

Enjoying a fantastic season on a personal note. With 26 goals and 61 points in 63 games. Larkin is one of the NHL’s best young players. He leads by example. He also leads by his words.

After Henrik Zetterberg retired, Detroit said no one person would be named captain for the 2018-19 season. Fair enough. As the season started and has gone along Larkin has separated  himself from the rest of the really good young talent in Motown.

He has stood in front of the media most nights after a loss like a pro as he explained the reason for another loss. That is something captains or a veteran player does.

The Detroit Red Wings are on the doorstep of being very good again. With just under $18 million in cap space this Summer Detroit is sure to add some solid veterans to go with their young core.

The Red Wings will add players. They will get better. They many even skate for a Stanley Cup soon. They will do so under captain Dylan Larkin’s watch. That is very good news for Detroit hockey.

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Detroit Red Wings trade Gustav Nyquist for draft picks

Embed from Getty Images This is what a rebuild looks like. Trading assets to accumulate draft picks and prospects. Last night Red Wings general manager Ken Holland sent Gustav Nyquist to the San Jose Sharks for a 2019 second round draft pick as well as a 2020 third round draft pick that can switch to a second round pick if the Sharks play for the Stanley Cup.

The dismantling of the current Red Wings team has taken another step forward. Ironically the San Jose Sharks were in Detroit yesterday afternoon for a 3:00 pm matinee. The deal did not go down until late last night.

The Sharks needing scoring and wing help made their offer. One problem. Nyquist had a full no-trade clause. Holland had to call and get his permission to waive the clause to make the trade. Nyquist agreed. It is a trade that works out well for both teams.

The Red Wings who’s young players have taken HUGE steps forward this season get to add to an already outstanding prospect pool. While the Sharks get a player who is having a career year.

Gustav Nyquist, 29 years old, has 49 points on the season with 16 goals. He is fast and plays well defensively. Playing in Detroit on an expiring contract at $4.75 million is said to be seeking $5 million per-year when he is set to be a free agent July 1

The trade is not unexpected. Nyquist’s name has been brought up by multiple teams looking for a playoff push. The Sharks being one of those teams. They had they good fortune of being in the Motor City when the deal was reached.

It is not easy losing a good player and an even better person. For the Red Wings who are getting younger, faster and more athletic this trade made total sense. It was a good move by Holland.

The 2019 NHL draft is LOADED! This is the best draft is a long time. Ken Holland (who may or may not be back next season) did well for the team. He gathered more draft picks in a draft that will see NHL ready players into the third round.

One factor is dealing Nyquist is that top Red Wings prospect Filip Zadina made his NHL debut yesterday. Many expected Zadina would replace Nyquist as a starter at some point. Now looking sooner than later.

The future is looking better and better in Motown on the Red Wings front. The team is about ready to begin to make a playoff push as soon as next season. So losses and draft picks are great to help the team win soon.

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Detroit Red Wings top prospect Filip Zadina set to make his NHL debut

Embed from Getty Images A 9- game sample size. That is what Detroit Red Wings 2018 first round pick Filip Zadina has. 9 small yet important games. This way the Red Wings do not burn up a year of Zadina’s contract.

The Detroit Red Wings front office and coaches have made it clear they want Zadina to get a feel for the speed of the NHL level as well as becoming aware how physical the play is.

Zadina, at the ripe old age of 19 was called up from the Grand Rapids Griffins Friday. He is feeling no pressure. He understands he is getting 9 games to see what he needs to work on in order to become the player that has been projected for him to reach.

Filip has 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in his last 10 games with the Griffins. After a slow start to the season that found the top pick a healthy scratch so he could reset Zadina’s game has improved. He has earned this short taste of professional hockey.

On the season to this point Zadina has 31 points (15 goals along with 16 assists) in 45 games played with a -9 rating. He will be surrounded by Red Wing veterans to help him along.

Thomas Vanek and Luke Glendening will be the only voices the Red Wings want Zadina to both hear and talk with. A good move. Using veterans who have been in the league for a while will only help the young winger.

There is zero pressure on Filip Zadina. However, the Red Wings want him to do what he does best. Fire the puck at the net. Create chances for teammates. They do not want him to be timid. Zadina has said he understands what is being asked of him.

For a young player who by all accounts will be on Detroit’s top line with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha when the dust settles on the Red Wings rebuild. The Red Wings are taking the proper steps with the young prized pick.

Today at 3:00 in front of the home crowd at Little Caesars Arena the Detroit Red Wings welcome in the San Jose Sharks. There will be more than a few interested eyes tuning in to get a glimpse of the future.

What is shaping up to be a very bright future in Motown.

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A recent poll at the Detroit Free Press has the Detroit Lions winning a title

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Free Press polled the four professional sports beat writers and asked which team would win the next championship for the city. The Detroit Lions were the winners.

As I read the pros and cons for each team winning a championship I looked at the state of all four teams. When I broken them down this is what I found.

The Detroit Pistons are a wreck. Stuck with bad contracts and a team that by and large has hit their ceiling. The team is years away from being a serious playoff threat let alone making it to the NBA Finals. The plan is to build around Blake Griffin. That is a start.

The Detroit Tigers are in mid rebuild. There is talent in the minor leagues. Serious talent. But most of the prospects are going to have to hit their ceiling and some are going to have to out play their projections. Still the Tigers are close to being competitive again. About 3 years.

The Detroit Red Wings are coming to the end of their rebuild. The Wings are set to win for a while. This is going to be a nasty hockey team. First they need to get into the playoffs and get their brains beat in. That is how it works in hockey. Young teams need to learn how to win the post season play. The Wings could make a playoff push next season. Even as bad as they have been. Young players have taken huge steps forwards and the Red Wings will have a league high $20 million in cap space.

Then we have the Detroit Lions. Rebuilding since 1957. Ask any Lions fan it is not a joke. It is how they view the team. For some strange reason the NFL is a league that sees teams turn around seemingly at the blink of an eye. L.A. Rams anyone? The Detroit Lions are actually a team that is 3-5 players away from becoming a very good team. Right tackle, edge rusher, tight end, wide receiver, backup running back and the Lions will be good.

So which team is in the best title position? The Tigers and Red Wings are set up for long term success. The Pistons need a direction. Leaving the Detroit Lions as the team that should bring the next championship to the city. I can not believe I just put that down.

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Detroit Red Wings: a bright future

Embed from Getty Images With a surplus of very good young talent. The 2018 NHL entry draft pushed the Detroit Red Wings and the rebuild forward at a faster pace. This team is going to be outstanding.

 

The Detroit talent pool had some good prospects who were set to push for a roster spot for the upcoming 2018-19 NHL season. But, things changed after the Detroit Red Wings, lead by general manager Ken Holland had a fantastic haul at the draft.

Lead by 2016 first round draft pick Dennis Cholowski and 2017 first round pick Michael Rasmussen added into the mix 2018 first round draftees Filip Zadina and Joe Veleno. The Red Wings now have a must see training camp set up.

Suddenly, prospects who were widely viewed as can not miss. May have a hard time making the cut as more talent has been added to the organization. The competition is sure to be intense.

This is a great situation. The Red Wings who need to be younger, faster and have players who play with a chip on their shoulders. Will get a group of prospects in training camp doing just that.

The ones that are blessed and make the team will rejoice. The hope is the ones that narrowly miss the cut. Well, that they gain a chip on their shoulder. That they will not be happy with being sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Most of all, for the players that do not make the final roster spot. That they will up their game and their play will show their lack of pleasure in the choices the front office and coaching staff made when making final roster cuts.

It is a new dawning of Detroit Red Wings hockey. Lots of young fresh talent. Hockeytown will be great again. Very soon.  Do not count on the playoffs this coming season. But it is okay to expect this Detroit Hockey team to take a big step forward.

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Detroit Red Wings: fans need to chill out

Embed from Getty Images Yes, it is true the Detroit Red Wings, had a tremendous 2018 NHL draft. Yes, it is also true that last week Wings general manager Ken Holland, signed 3 veteran free agents. Yes, predictably Detroit Red Wings, fans are freaking out.

Detroit Red Wings, fans are angry. Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno should be slam dunks to make the rebuilding Detroit, hockey team. While Evgeny Svechnikov should also be given a good long look during 2018 training camp.

Ken Holland, says they will be given every opportunity to win a roster spot. Red Wings fans don’t think he is being honest. I however do. Fact is the Detroit Red Wings, added a goalie, a forward and resigned their own defensmen.

Fans in Hockeytown, need to relax. Ken Holland surly knows that his team must get younger, faster and play with more snarl. He also understands the Detroit, defense needs a face lift. A major overhaul.

It can not be stressed enough that this organization is in the early stages of a total rebuild. It would be incredibly stupid to ice a team of young player with no veterans to help them.

I believe in the end Detroit will have 1-2 offensive rookie and 1-2 defensive rookies on the roster after they break training camp. With an eye on the future and not the now.

Red Wings nation, should hop on this way of thinking. Fans second guess. What else is new? They have been doing it longer than I have been alive and will continue long after I am in the after life.

As a microwave society, we want things right now. But as I grew up I found the best things come in time. With the right seasoning. That is what Ken Holland understands. I understand his thinking.

Let the process take root. It will not be much longer.

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Detroit Red Wings: no embracing the tank

Embed from Getty Images While the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings, could tank in an attempt to get the first pick in the 2019 NHL draft. That does not seem to be the plan. Free agent signings show the team is re-writing the rebuild rule.

While players who have been developing in Grand Rapids with the Griffins will vie for roster spots. Ken Holland Red Wings general manager, made a few shrewd moves. That will help the Winged Wheels hover around .500.

Defensmen Mike Green who’s contract was up was resigned to a 2 year contract. He will in all likelihood tutor two or three Detroit, rookie defensmen. Green, and all-star is a great pick to help the young players reach their NHL stride.

Thomas Vanek, who played in Motown two seasons ago will help Red Wings, young offensive talent. Players like first round draft pick Filip Zadina, can learn a lot from the crafty veteran Vanek.

With Detroit Red Wings, captain Henrik Zetterbergs future up in the air due to a lingering back injury. Vanek, appears to be the insurance policy. A very solid signing by Ken Holland.

Next the Detroit, brain trust went with what has been a sore spot for four years. Goal tending help.  Jonathan Bernier, who spent last season in net for the Colorado Avalanche. Is certainly and upgrade over Petr Mrazek and others who tried yet failed in the Detroit pipes.

The easy way out is to tank and attempt to get a lottery draft pick. But that is not a given. The lottery ping pong ball does not always come up with the worst teams logo on it.

Ken Holland, is re-writing the rebuild. His way. Bringing in players to help the team stay competitive while younger players are introduced and inserted into the Detroit, starting lineup.

In my opinion, other teams should attempt this. It makes it a lot less complicated if there is talent to work with. Players like Evgeny Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, Joe Hicketts, Filip Hronek and a few others give the Detroit Red Wings a bright future.