Red Wings Players Believe A Playoff Run Is Possible
- The Detroit News’ Gregg Krupa believes that the Red Wings are just spinning their wheels as they enjoy their five-day break and will not be returning to the playoffs anytime soon, despite a recent four-game winning streak that snapped on Sunday evening. Writing that they’re consistently inconsistent, he adds that the strides of Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou, and Anthony Mantha among others is encouraging for a team needing to get younger. The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James writes, however, that the Red Wings’ players believe that they can beat anyone and will begin their playoff push in earnest once their break is over. Despite several of the players’ optimism about being in the thick of the playoff race, she points out that it would take “quite the push.” While admitting that the Wings have played better than their record indicates, leapfrogging three teams and being just a point ahead of last year’s pace doesn’t bode well for even the most positive thinkers.
Jimmy Howard Expected To Play Following The Bye Week
- Although they were forced to recall goalie Jared Coreau earlier today, the Red Wings don’t expect to be without netminder Jimmy Howard for long, GM Ken Holland told Gregg Krupa of The Detroit News. He’s dealing with a lower-body injury and while he will be re-evaluated on Thursday, the expectation is that he will be ready to make the start on Saturday against Pittsburgh.
Minor Transactions — 1/7/18
After a nine-game schedule Saturday, the NHL has another busy day of action today as 20 teams will be on the ice. There have already been a few moves made and many more are likely:
- The Winnipeg Jets have activated veteran defenseman Tobias Enstrom off of injured reserve. The 33-year-old went down with a lower-body injury back on Nov. 18 and was deemed out for eight weeks. Slightly ahead of schedule, the defensive-minded Enstrom should improve the defensive play of Winnipeg, especially since they also just got back defenseman Dustin Byfuglien five days ago.
- The Colorado Avalanche announced they have made a three moves this morning, as defenseman Andrei Mironov and winger A.J. Greer and goaltender Andrew Hammond have all been assigned to the San Antonio Rampage. It’s likely that all three are being sent down to get regular playing time while the Avalanche begin their five-day bye week. The Avalanche don’t play again until next Saturday.
- After sending this group down one day ago, the Columbus Blue Jackets recalled center Zac Dalpe, defenseman Dean Kukan and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, while returning goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks to the Cleveland Monsters. All were sent down to get in some playing time in the AHL in Cleveland’s 4-3 shootout loss to Rockford. Dalpe scored a goal, Kukan added an assist and Korpisalo stopped 37 shots on goal.
- The Detroit Red Wings announced they have recalled goaltender Jared Coreau from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. He will serve as the emergency backup for Petr Mrazek after it was reported Saturday that starter Jimmy Howard will sit out today’s game with a lower-body injury. Coreau played 14 games for the Red Wings last year, but hasn’t had as good of a season in Grand Rapids as he did a year ago. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.77 GAA in 25 games so far this year with the Griffins. It will likely be a one-game stint for Coreau as the Red Wings go on a bye week and won’t play again until next Saturday.
- The Vancouver Canucks announced that they have reassigned winger Reid Boucher to the Utica Comets today. Boucher has been with the team since Dec. 13, but has appeared in just three games with the team. He has been a healthy scratch in five of the team’s past six games. The 24-year-old returns to Utica where he has 13 goals and 25 points this year in 25 games.
- After sending Marcus Sorensen down Friday night, the San Jose Sharks have recalled the young forward back to the team, according to CapFriendly. Sorensen has three goals in 13 games with the Sharks. Defenseman Dylan DeMelo was placed on IR to make room for Sorenson on the roster.
- The Los Angeles Kings have sent Jonny Brodzinski and Kevin Gravel to the minor leagues after losing yesterday to the Predators. The Kings are headed into their bye week, and won’t play again until next Saturday night.
- Following their game this afternoon, the Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have returned winger Tyrell Goulbourne to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He played in two games while on recall, averaging 5:34 per game. The Flyers are also heading into their bye week and could potentially bring Goulbourne back up next weekend.
- The New York Islanders also made several roster moves following their matinee against the Devils. Forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Tanner Fritz as well as defenseman Sebastian Aho have all been sent down to Bridgeport. There is a good chance some of them will be recalled following the bye week.
Howard Out Sunday With Lower-Body Injury
- Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard will miss tomorrow night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a lower-body injury, according to MLive’s Ansar Khan. He was injured during the second period in Friday’s game against the Florida Panthers. The timing of the injury is both good and bad, writes the scribe, as Howard has been playing great hockey over the past couple of weeks as he has allowed just 10 goals over his past six starts. However, the team will go on their bye week after tomorrow, which should give him time to heal.
- Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh was the subject of a major OHL trade today in which the Erie Otters traded Raddysh and Detroit Red Wings defensive prospect Jordan Sambrook to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for 16-year-old prospect Hayden Fowler and nine draft picks, according to the Erie Otters. The Otters, who won the 2017 OHL champsionships with Raddysh and Sambrook, are struggling this year with a 12-20-6-1 record. The Greyhounds, however, have the best record in the league at 33-3-2-1 and should only get better now with those top additions. Raddysh, Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in 2016 had 15 goals and 29 assists in 30 games for Erie, but had 42 goals and 109 points a year ago in 58 games.
Tyler Bertuzzi To Remain With Detroit For The Season
- Red Wings winger Tyler Bertuzzi has been told he will be sticking around with the team the rest of the year, reports Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. He was expected to make the team out of training camp but an early injury changed those plans and he wound up starting off with AHL Grand Rapids. He has impressed since being recalled back on December 22nd, posting three assists in five games on the season while logging over 14 minutes a night in ice time, a considerable increase than the 9:06 he averaged in seven games as a rookie in 2016-17.
Who Is On Pace To Score 60 Points In 2017-18?
In 2016-17, only 42 NHLers hit the 60-point benchmark for the season. It was the lowest total since the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season (obviously), when only Martin St. Louis notched sixty, and down eleven from the 53 players who hit the mark two years earlier in 2014-15. However, with scoring up this season in the NHL, will the league increase it’s number of top scorers? Or will a greater depth and distribution of talent continue to limit players from reaching the high numbers of yesteryear?
As of now, with the 2017 segment of the season about to close, here are the players on pace for 60 points in 2017-18:
- Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning – Currently: 54 points in 37 games, Projection: 120 points
- Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning – Currently: 48 points in 37 games, Projection: 107 points
- John Tavares, New York Islanders – Currently: 49 points in 38 games, Projection: 106 points
- Josh Bailey, New York Islanders – Currently: 49 points in 38 games, Projection: 106 points
- Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers – Currently: 46 points in 38 games, Projection: 99 points
- Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers – Currently: 46 points in 38 games, Projection: 99 points
- Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers – Currently: 45 points in 38 games, Projection: 97 points
- Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche – Currently: 43 points in 37 games, Projection: 95 points
- Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets – Currently: 44 points in 39 games, Projection: 93 points
- Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames – Currently: 41 points in 38 games, Projection: 89 points
- Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins – Currently: 41 points in 39 games, Projection: 86 points
- Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals – Currently: 41 points in 40 games, Projection: 84 points
- Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings – Currently: 40 points in 39 games, Projection: 84 points
- Anders Lee, New York Islanders – Currently: 39 points in 38 games, Projection: 84 points
- Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks – Currently: 38 points in 37 games, Projection: 84 points
- Brock Boeser*, Vancouver Canucks – Currently: 38 points in 36 games, Projection: 84 points
- Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues – Currently: 41 points in 41 games, Projection: 82 points
- Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins – Currently: 32 points in 29 games, Projection: 82 points
- Jon Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights – Currently: 34 points in 33 games, Projection: 81 points
- Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals – Currently: 39 points in 40 games, Projection: 80 points
- Taylor Hall, New Jersey Devils – Currently: 36 points in 36 games, Projection: 80 points
- Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers – Currently: 36 points in 38 games, Projection: 78 points
- Vincent Trocheck, Florida Panthers – Currently: 36 points in 38 games, Projection: 78 points
- Mathew Barzal*, New York Islanders – Currently: 36 points in 38 games, Projection: 78 points
- Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers – Currently: 36 points in 38 games, Projection: 78 points
- Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins – Currently: 35 points in 35 games, Projection: 78 points
- Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues – Currently: 38 points in 41 games, Projection: 76 points
- Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres – Currently: 35 points in 38 games, Projection: 75 points
- David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins – Currently: 34 points in 37 games, Projection: 75 points
- Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators – Currently: 34 points in 37 games, Projection: 75 points
- Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning – Currently: 34 points in 37 games, Projection: 75 points
- Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins – Currently: 35 points in 39 games, Projection: 74 points
- Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars – Currently: 35 points in 39 games, Projection: 74 points
- David Perron, Vegas Golden Knights – Currently: 29 points in 30 games, Projection: 74 points
- Evander Kane, Buffalo Sabres – Currently: 34 points in 38 games, Projection: 73 points
- Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers – Currently: 33 points in 37 games, Projection: 73 points
- Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche – Currently: 33 points in 37 games, Projection: 73 points
- Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers – Currently: 32 points in 34 games, Projection: 73 points
- Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs – Currently: 29 points in 29 games, Projection: 72 points
- Artemi Panarin, Columbus Blue Jackets – Currently: 34 points in 39 games, Projection: 71 points
- Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars – Currently: 34 points in 39 games, Projection: 71 points
- Vlad Namestnikov, Tampa Bay Lightning – Currently: 32 points in 37 games, Projection: 71 points
- Eric Staal, Minnesota Wild – Currently: 33 points in 39 games, Projection: 70 points
- Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks – Currently: 18 points in 15 games, Projection: 70 points
- Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames – Currently: 32 points in 38 games, Projection: 69 points
- Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings – Currently: 31 points in 37 games, Projection: 69 points
- John Klingberg, Dallas Stars – Currently: 32 points in 39 games, Projection: 67 points
- William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights – Currently: 29 points in 36 games, Projection: 66 points
- Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche – Currently: 28 points in 33 games, Projection: 66 points
- Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers – Currently: 29 points in 35 games, Projection: 66 points
- Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals – Currently: 31 points in 39 games, Projection: 65 points
- Alexander Radulov, Dallas Stars – Currently: 31 points in 39 games, Projection: 65 points
- Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets – Currently: 31 points in 39 games, Projection: 65 points
- Clayton Keller*, Arizona Coyotes – Currently: 31 points in 40 games, Projection: 64 points
- John Carlson, Washington Capitals – Currently: 31 points in 40 games, Projection: 64 points
- Reilly Smith, Vegas Golden Knights – Currently: 28 points in 36 games, Projection: 64 points
- Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets – Currently: 30 points in 39 games, Projection: 63 points
- P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators – Currently: 29 points in 38 games, Projection: 62 points
- Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers – Currently: 29 points in 38 games, Projection: 62 points
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers – Currently: 29 points in 38 games, Projection: 62 points
- Teuvo Teravainen, Carolina Hurricanes – Currently: 29 points in 38 games, Projection: 62 points
- Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes – Currently: 29 points in 38 games, Projection: 62 points
- James Neal, Vegas Golden Knights – Currently: 27 points in 36 games, Projection: 62 points
- Kyle Turris, Nashville Predators – Currently: 27 points in 34 games, Projection: 62 points
- Danton Heinen*, Boston Bruins – Currently: 26 points in 33 games, Projection: 62 points
- Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings – Currently: 29 points in 39 games, Projection: 61 points
- Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings – Currently: 29 points in 39 games, Projection: 61 points
- Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs – Currently: 29 points in 39 games, Projection: 61 points
- Jordan Eberle, New York Islanders – Currently: 28 points in 38 games, Projection: 61 points
- Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks – Currently: 26 points in 35 games, Projection: 61 points
- Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild – 27 points in 34 games, Projection: 61 points
- Rickard Rakell, Anaheim Ducks – Currently: 27 points in 34 games, Projection: 61 points
- Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning – Currently: 27 points in 36 games, Projection: 61 points
- Erik Haula, Vegas Golden Knights – Currently: 25 points in 32 games, Projection: 61 points
- Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning – Currently: 27 points in 37 games, Projection: 60 points
- Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins- Currently: 25 points in 32 games, Projection: 60 points
- Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators – Currently: 25 points in 32 games, Projection: 60 points
Red Wings' Prospect Rasmussen Out 4-8 Weeks
- The Detroit Red Wings opted to have their latest first round draft pick, Michael Rasmussen, to have his wrist operated on according to The Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James. The surgery will keep Rasmussen out of the lineup for 4-8 weeks, with general manager Ken Holland stating that the 2017 ninth overall pick had been playing in pain for quite some time. Instead of playing through pain, the Red Wings advised Rasmussen to take care of the issue now, and then return for a playoff run and training in the summer. Rasmussen suffered a broken wrist last season prior to the draft, giving the Red Wings some pause as to whether this will be a reoccurring problem. It certainly isn’t good news for a team trying to build through the draft. Rasmussen has played well for the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, potting 16 goals and 31 points in 22 games.
One Year Later: Revisiting A Red Wings Rebuild
For some teams in the NHL, a year makes quite the difference. Examples include the New Jersey Devils, or the Vegas Golden Knights, who at this point last year, didn’t even have a coach or roster. Yet for other teams, it’s more of the same or in some cases, worse. Despite valiant efforts to improve or an unwillingness to make a steadfast decision, many teams remained mired in mediocrity or near the bottom of their respective division.
The Detroit Red Wings are one of those teams.
Last December, I wrote about whether or not the Red Wings should embrace a full rebuild as the team was looking to miss the playoffs for the first time in 25 years. The “rebuild on the fly” strategy wasn’t working, and as the season would bear out, Detroit would indeed miss the playoffs.
Since then, the Red Wings have continued to take the middle road, refusing to do a complete tear down while still offering money to veterans that could potentially jumpstart the team. Trevor Daley was the latest example of that, and while he’s collected a few goals as of late, his five points (2-3) is hardly an effective return on investment for a defenseman making $3.17MM.
It’s a practice they’ve employed for nearly half a decade, and a three-win December are the recent fruits of that labor. Worse, the Red Wings are staring into the playoff abyss, nine points out of the final wildcard spot. At this point, it’s likely a fool’s paradise thinking that Detroit has any chance at making the playoffs. But general manager Ken Holland has gone on record saying he’s not interested in a rebuild. 
MLive’s Ansar Khan wrote extensively about their troubles, and beyond their goal scoring woes, the Red Wings, he writes, are exactly as their record indicates. At 13-15-1, they’re fooling no one, except maybe themselves, about making a playoff run. Khan doesn’t expect them to be in there, though he leaves it open for a miracle turnaround. He adds that their best bargaining chip is Mike Green, who could fetch a haul from the right team.
But the Red Wings problems run deeper than just missing the playoffs. It’s a stubborn refusal to do what might be painful but necessary. It’s something that many teams reluctantly did after years of suffering through malaise–be it the Toronto Maple Leafs or New Jersey Devils. Even the Los Angeles Kings broomed their general manager and coach, both of whom were in place for two Stanley Cup titles. Outside of Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha, Detroit has no elite talent capable of leading them into contender status once again. Andreas Athanasiou has struggled after waiting out a contract, and coach Jeff Blashill once again has him in the proverbial doghouse, giving him just 8:34 of ice time on Saturday.
Detroit News writer Gregg Krupa has been vocal about the “process” not working, and at some point, as the same errors and results continue, something has to be done to reverse course. As Holland works through his final year without an extension in place, one can only wonder if ownership believes that a fresh pair of eyes are needed to finally plunge into a rebuild that emphasizes youth. For all of the posturing that the Red Wings have made about infusing youth into their lineup, they’re still the oldest team in the NHL. The only question that remains is if they bring in new blood–much like Mike Ilitch did when he hired Jimmy Devellano away from the then dominant New York Islanders in 1982. That move would transition Detroit out of one of the most brutal stretches in team history, known as the “Dead Wings” era.
Though there are intriguing prospects waiting, none seem ready to step in and save the team. That type of talent is only found early on in the draft–or sometimes–a bit later if luck will have it. The Athletic’s Craig Custance (subscription needed) wrote about how the Red Wings drafting as of late hasn’t yielded the talent necessary to take the next step. This is troubling for a team trying to “rebuild on the fly.” If they can’t draft high-end talent and can’t make the playoffs either, it’s the perfect combination for a return to the hockey wilderness.
There are a lot of tough decisions ahead for the Red Wings. But it’s clear that their familiar approach isn’t working anymore.
What Could Detroit Get For Mike Green As A Rental?
Red Wings defenseman Mike Green is shaping up to be one of the top rental players available between now and the trade deadline. Accordingly, MLive’s Ansar Khan speculates that Detroit could try to land a late first-round pick for his services from a team that is guaranteed to be playoff-bound. If not, he thinks a pair of second rounders could be a realistic ask, especially considering the fact that Brendan Smith was able to yield a second and a third-round pick a year ago. Green has a $6MM cap hit but if the Wings are willing to retain on it (something that seems likely), they should be able to land a sizable return for his services.
Red Wings Notes: The Process, Athanasiou, Mantha
Count the Detroit News’ Gregg Krupa as one of the voices in the Detroit media calling it as he sees it. Through the ups and downs of what is considered an unacceptable season in Hockeytown, Krupa argues that “the process” of rebuilding on the fly is not working and a change is certainly due. What does that change look like? Playing the kids. Tyler Bertuzzi and Joe Hicketts, Krupa writes, should both be in Detroit getting minutes instead of, borrowing from general manager Ken Holland, “over-ripening.” Goaltender Petr Mrazek should be played and given chances to showcase his talent–which when confident–is immense. That same talent could be flipped for a draft pick or prospect. As for the “process” that head coach Jeff Blashill has extolled through the last few weeks of struggles, Krupa believes that such terminology is an affront to progress. The last 15 games are reason enough for the Red Wings to abandon any dim hopes of a playoff appearance, and instead, begin to plan for the future. But transactions through the last five seasons and coupled with comments this season seem to indicate the Red Wings front office believes in their plan.
- Andreas Athanasiou has struggled to replicate the success he saw last season, as the speedy forward is in the midst of an 11-game goal drought. Anthony Mantha also finds himself mired in a slump, having no points in six games while only having two goals and an assist in his last 13. MLive’s Ansar Khan writes that Blashill believes Athanasiou has actually played stronger while Mantha has struggled with turnovers. The 23-year-old Mantha likens his struggles to passing up shots and making things more complicated than they need to be. Athanasiou attributes his struggles to “bad bounces.” The one positive is that the supposed friction that existed between Blashill, and Athanasiou is apparently no more. Blashill complimented his young forward, saying he’s been “receptive” to coaching.