Tag: Detroit Red Wings

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Detroit Red Wings Anthony Mantha wants to be a point a game player

Embed from Getty Images Back from a seven week stint on IR (injured reserve) due to a punctured lung and the flu, Detroit Red Wings Anthony Mantha has a rather ambitious goal for the remaining seven weeks of the NHL season. The young forward has the skill set to math his goal.

For the 20-some remaining games in the Detroit Red Wings season, Anthony Mantha wants to be a point a game player. Fresh off the injury that derailed his season, Mantha is logging around 20 minutes of ice time.

At 25 years old Mantha is going to be a restricted free agent. With 5 goals in the first two games of the season, Anthony had a good start to the season. By December 21 the young forward had 12 goals and 12 assists. Until he challenged Toronto Maple Leafs defensman Jake Muzzin to a fight and punctured his lung.

In his return from injury, Anthony Mantha looks like he did to start the season.  Big strong on the puck and making life difficult for defenses around the league .The Detroit Red Wings want Mantha to know both his limits and when to and not to instigate a fight.

Mantha is an outstanding talent and player. He does more good when he is on the ice. Weather he has the puck or is making the defense play honestly, because of his skill-set.

Anthony Mantha has the ability to be a point-per-game player. If he continues to develop that part of his game he will make the young Red Wings a much better hockey team.

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Just how bad have the Detroit Red Wings been this season? Statistics do not lie

Embed from Getty Images The  Detroit Red Wings have been bad this season, and water is wet. The Red Wings own the NHL’s worst record. The statistics are illuminating and tell exactly why this team is where they are in the standings. In nearly every major category the Wings rank dead last 31st of 31 teams.

The Detroit The Wings are 12-38-4, with a league-low 28 points. To put things in better perspective, the Los Angeles Kings have 43 points 15 points better than Detroit.

Also for the Red Wings the team is last in the NHL with 110 goals scored, working out to again dead last with 2.04 goals per game. The Anaheim Ducks, in 30th place in the category, have scored 20 more goals than the Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings also sit last with 206 goals allowed, and have the worst goals against average 3.81 in the NHL. The New Jersey Devils are next with 180 goals allowed, so the Red Wings have allowed 26 more goals than the next worst defensive team in the league.

Detroit has earned the fewest points at home 8-18-2, 18 points and 4-20-2, 10 points on the road. That is simply awful. But wait there is more. The Red Wings are last with 10 regulation wins. That equates to one every 5.2 games played so far to date during the 2019-320 NHL season.

As bad as the numbers are, and they are really bad, there is some good in all this mess. The good? Steve Yzerman is the general manager. This should be the bottoming out season of a long rebuild.

When the 2020-21 NHL season kicks off the Detroit Red Wings will be in better shape. In both cap space as well as prospects pushing for roster spots. It takes time and at times rebuilds are flat out no-fun. That has been the past two seasons.

So in short, relax enjoy the rest of the games this season and prepare for a brighter future that begin to take shape this offseason.

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Detroit Red Wings Moritz Seider excelling in first AHL season

Embed from Getty Images There was plenty of blacklash and anger coming out of Detroit back in June. That is when Detroit Red Wings general manager announced the team was selecting German defenseman Moritz Seider. The shock has worn off and a solid player has emerged. Just as Yzerman suspects would happen.

Many NHL scouts have compared Moritz Seider to defenseman Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Seider has been turning some heads and  has emerged as the top defense prospect in the Red Wings organization.

As the first half of the season is coming to a close, let us take a closer look at how Seider’s 2019-20 season has been going with the Grand Rapids Griffins and his performance at the IIHF World Junior Championships with the German team.

This season, Seider has played in 33 games with the Griffins at the AHL level. Over that stretch, he has managed 2 goals and 13 assists as well as 15  points. Seider is a -8 rating on the season for the Griffins. He signed an entry level contract before the start of the season that brought him over to the AHL from the DEL in Germany.

Being only 18 years old, and the fact that he has been a  team leader is an excellent addition to his growth as a player. On top of leadership, he had 6 assists in more than 7 games leading National German team.

Seider may get his nine game trial run this season after the NHL All-Star break, but next season, if his dominance continues and development stays on the course it is, he may be skating with the Red Wings more than first thought.

It is safe to say Moritz Seider will see time with the Red Wings NHL roster during the 2020-21 season. As he is he has adapted his game to the smaller, faster NHL hockey rinks, and is ahead of his development.

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Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin reaches 100 goals

Embed from Getty Images As Dylan Larkin skated out of the penalty box, he skated with anger. Sure he had just committed a penalty, but Larkin skated as though he was/is disappointed where the Red Wings are in the standings. He was streaking all alone towards world class goalie Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers.

In an instant, Larkin’s teammate Darren Helm snapped the puck to Larkin and Larkin found the back of the net.  Dylan Larkin’s 100th career goal comes as one of the few bright spots in this Detroit Red Wings season.

Larkin became the sixth Red Wings player in the last 40 years to score 100 goals before the age of 24. Dylan is the second youngest of the Red Wings group at 23 years old and five months. Steve Yzerman is the youngest at 21 years old to hit 100 goals.

Dylan Larkin who is speculated to be the next captain of the Red Wings has blossomed into a solid two-way player under Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill. Larkin, works hard at both ends of the ice at all times.

Larkin is worthy of being the next team and franchise captain. In my opinion the reason has not yet been named captain, is general manager Steve Yzerman said he wanted to get to know everyone in the orgainzation first before making the call.

As each game passes, it becomes clearer and clearer, Larkin will get the “C” on his hockey sweater very soon.

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Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman speaks

Embed from Getty Images Yesterday, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman made his one and only comments about the state of the Wings. Back in April, Yzerman told the fans, media and hockey world he only speaks one time in-season, because of a busy schedule. Steve Yzerman in not only general manager, but he actively scouts at home and abroad.

In giving his near mid-season team evaluation with legendary Detroit Red Wings radio play-by-play announcer Ken Kal, Yzerman did not hold back. He gave the good, the bad, the ugly.

On the Trade Deadline Steve Yzerman said he is looking to acquire more draft picks. There is an one problem, there are some impending unrestricted free agents who are have bad seasons, driving down asking price, making it more difficult to move.

“My plan isn’t passive,” Yzerman started with, “I’m looking for ways to build for the future and trying to acquire draft picks or prospects or young players that can come into the organization sooner or later.”

On Top Prospects: Yzerman hinted Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno, Gustav Lindstrom will likely get a nine game look (so their entry level contract does not kick in) later in the season.

“I don’t have anything set in stone but that’s definitely something in the back of our mind” Yzerman said, “Do we bring up the Velenos and Seiders and give them a feel for the NHL? I won’t say absolutely you’re going to see this player or that player here, but I think it’s safe to assume that at some point some of those guys will get up here and play some games as the season winds down.”

On coach Jeff Blashill’s future: Steve Yzerman said it is unfair to pin the team’s record on the coaching staff because of injuries. The Detroit Red Wings have been without defenseman Danny DeKeyer, as well ask key forwards Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou for some time now.

On Tanking: Red Wings fans know one thing about the teams former 20 year captain now general manager, Steve Yzerman is ultra competitive. Anything that resembles losing weather just a bad team, or intentional to gain draft picks, Yzerman shoots down.

“Every player is looking to use the second half to improve and they will be expected to improve and will be held to a standard to improve and gradually become a better hockey team.”

Fans of the Detroit Red Wings can rest easy. Yzerman will do his job and do it well. He needs time.

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In a dark, no good, very bad season, Detroit Red Wings Filip Zadina shows promise

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings have 38 games left in what has been their bleakest season in more than three decades. Yes, it is that bad in Hockeytown. What do Red Wings fans have to look forward to over the next three months, other than the draft lottery and chance to land the No. 1 pick? Filip Zadina’s development, is one thing fans should be keying into.

Filip Zadina, The Red Wings top pick in 2018 (sixth overall) has been making progress since being promoted from the Grand Rapids Griffins in late November.

Zadina  has five goals and six assists in his past 16 games, after being held without a point in his first three. Zadina also has 11 points in that time as well.

Probably the aspect of his game that has stood out most is, Zadina’s increased confidence with the puck the young forward is playing with poise. Filip Zadina is much more confident now than he was in training camp, when he appeared to be pressing in an effort to make the Red Wings opening night roster, he is more relaxed and his play reflects it.

This is one of the best aspects of a very ugly Red Wings season. Zadina has taken his game to the next level. He has done so in the NHL and not the AHL. Zadina said he feels playing in Detroit would help his game. He has been dead right.

On January, 6 2020 Zadina showed why he is a HUGE part of the Detroit Red Wings future:

Last night the Red Wings played Montreal, Zadina scored the game-winning goal. This is exactly why the Detroit Red Wings drafted him. This is what is going to be counted on for on a regular basis.

For Zadina, he has shown growth in the defensive end of the ice and on the power play, the sky is the limit. He is the real deal and is starting to play like it. In an awful season Filip Zadina gives hope to the Red Wings organization and fans.

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Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi makes his first All-Star team

Embed from Getty Images Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi is many things. To opposing teams, Bertuzzi is a pest who gets under the skin and smiles while being annoying. To his Red Wings teammates he is simply known as “Bert.” The front tooth missing almost always smiling, almost always joking teammate. To the Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi is now an NHL All-Star.

When the NHL announced the player selections Monday afternoon, Tyler Bertuzzi heard his name called. He nor anyone who follows the Red Wings or NHL hockey should have been surprised.

Bertuzzi leads the Detroit hockey team with 14 goals and 16 assists with 30 points, six points ahead of both Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha. Mantha would have made the All-Star team is he had not suffered a rib cage injury.

The NHL All-Star rosters are voted on by the fans. Dylan Larkin has been singing Bertuzzi’s praise for a while now. “I’ve said it before, he’s just a hockey player. He battles, he plays hard, blocks shots and scores goals. Bert is not afraid to jump into battles.” Larkin told reporters.

Bertuzzi has a great sense of humor as well. Last season in a game where Anthony Mantha broke his hand in a fight defending Larkin, Mantha skated to the bench sat down next to Bertuzzi took his glove off to reveal a swelling hand and asked Tyler if he thought it was broken. “How should I know, I’m not a *beeping* doctor”, Bertuzzi told him. Leading Mantha to breakout in laughter.

Bertuzzi is a bundle of sheer grit and determination. He has elevated his game and the game of his teammates everywhere he has played. The fact “Bert” is an All-Star is not surprising to anyone in the Red Wings organization or the Wings fan base. As Bertuzzi is a HUGE fan favorite.

Tyler Bertuzzi also has another big fan, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman who smiles whenever Bertuzzi’s name is brought up. Why? Because Tyler Bertuzzi is a big part of the Detroit Red Wings future.

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The current Tampa Bay Lightning gives hope to a bright future for the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images While it has not shown up in wins this season, and it has been a while since Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has spoken to the media, he does have a vision for how he wants his hockey team to look. It is that vision that will lift  one out of the four Detroit floundering sports teams.

Sunday when the Tampa Bay Lightning invade Hockeytown, Red Wings fans will see the future. Yzerman carved a juggernaut hockey team in Tampa. In classic Yzerman fashion he will not be at Little Caesars Arena for the game. The Red Wings GM is in the Czech Republic for the World Junior Championships, scouting for next June’s NHL draft.

So what type of team does Yzerman want to put together? He wants a skilled, fast team with players who can play with pace, players who have a foundation of skill, skating and strong hockey sense.

Steve Yzerman does not care if it is a Russian, Swede, American or from anywhere else. Black, White, Yellow, Purple, skin color aside, can a player play the way Yzerman is both looking for and demands? That is THE key question. It is also what he looks for.

Let’s look at one of the NHL’s best players, Nikita Kucherov. Kutcherov was not viewed as anything special when he entered the 2011 NHL draft. Yzerman who had personally scouting the Russian forward begged to differ. When the third round rolled up, Yzerman selected Kutcherov ignoring the mainstream meida and scouts. Kutcherov is no stranger to hockey fans, he is an All-Star and a top 3 player in the league.

Perhaps the one thing that Steve Yzerman and his scouting department do as well or better than others is drafting. From 2010-19, no NHL team drafted better than Tampa Bay. That is key for any team, it is beyond important to the rebuilding Red Wings. It is also why Yzerman brought most of his scouts with him to Detroit when he left the Lightning organization.

Steve Yzerman has taken his experience and his ultra competitiveness as a player into his front office role. Make no mistake it will take some time but Yzerman and his scouting department will build the Detroit Red Wings into a strong, sustainable, winning hockey program.

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Top Detroit Red Wings prospect Filip Zadina is heating up

Embed from Getty Images Last week a t.v. announcer reported Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is considering trading Filip Zadina. I do not feel there is any traction to that story. Meanwhile, Filip Zadina’s game is heating up for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Filip Zadina has scored in 3 games in a row for the Griffins. He has 5 goals in his last 7 games. Giving him 6 goals, and 9 points in just 15 games played this season.

Zadina was given a clear shot to make the Detroit Red Wings roster out of training camp. But Zadina did not. He did not score, he wasn’t noticeable  on the ice, also Zadina seemed to be lacking confidence.

There is little question Zadina possesses an NHL quality shot, and he has been working hard at both ends of the ice. The thought with the Red Wings fron office was it would be nice to see Zadina take a big step forward in his development in Grand Rapids this season.

Last season Filip Zadina had 16 goals and 35 points in 59 games for the Griffins and one goal and two assists in a nine game call-up with the Red Wings late in the season.

At just 20 years old,  the Red Wings are going to be patient and do what is best for Zadina’s development. During the Prospect Tournament as well as Red Wings training camp Filip Zadina did not score. For a young player looking to make a good impression it simply did not happen.

Now with his scoring slump behind him Zadina is showing exactly why he is Detroit’s top prospect. The goals are coming in bunches, after all that was on his scouting report. Zadina is one of those rare young talents, who when he get’s it all going can carry a team. That is what is happening in Grand Rapids.

What has been equally impressive is his work away from the puck. Last season that was a clear weakness. Zadina has worked hard to clean that up. He is more attentive in the defensive end as well.

In a rebuilding season, Filip Zadina is giving Detroit Red Wings front office and fans a look at the future. One that is not too far away.

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Detroit Red Wings prospect report

Embed from Getty Images One day after I offered reasons why Steve Yzerman should dismiss Jeff Blashill as head coach,

Steve Yzerman’s next move for the Detroit Red Wings may be replacing Jeff Blashill

today, we look at the next wave of prospects in which the Detroit rebuild hinges on.

The struggling Detroit Red Wings are a bit of a mess. That said,  it is very encouraging that the best players are the ones the Red Wings  franchise drafted and developed. Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek all have important roles and are playing heavy minutes.

The  reports on several of the organizations top prospects are very encouraging for a team that still needs a good deal of growth from within, so let us take a closer look.

Antti  Tuomisto, Tuomisto is a big 6 foot 4, a right-shot defender who plays well on both ends of the ice. He leads all defensemen in Finland’s Jr. A SM-liiga with  22 points eight goals, 14 assists in 21 games for Assat U20. Antti is said to be playing 25 minutes a night, all special teams, every situation. He’s doing  really well.

Albin Grewe, Grewe a 6-foot,  scrapper who patterns his game after Boston well known pest Brad Marchand. Every shift he goes out there on the ice and he plays 100%. He goes to hard areas, he takes the puck to hard areas, he’s not afraid to get physically involved.

Moritz  Seider, Seider is playing in all situations, playing big minutes. He likes to jump up in the play, but he has good awareness. Seider has grit to his game. He  also likes to go into battles. He gets back for pucks quickly. He’s very mobile.

Filip Zadina, The Red Wings are happy with Zadina’s game, happy with his solid progression. He’s playing a much better 200 foot game. He’s defensively more responsible. He’s working hard away from the puck. He is learning how to play pro hockey. His growth has been a welcome sight.

Joe Veleno, Veleno is going through growing pains as he adjusts to pro hockey. The AHL  is not an easy league and Veleno is finding that out first hand. He does not have as much time with the puck. But he is learning what it is going to take to create chances. He has made some good plays as of late.

The days are dark at Little Caesar’s Arena these days. The good news is top Detroit Red Wings prospects are developing giving rays of light along the way.