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Amadeus Lombardi Signs Entry-Level Contract

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1:30 PM: The Red Wings have now officially announced Lombardi’s signing.

12:53 PM: The Detroit Red Wings have provided a prospect with an early Christmas present, signing Amadeus Lombardi to a three-year entry-level contract according to his agent Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey.

Lombardi, 19, was the 113th selection in 2022 after going undrafted in his first year of eligibility. Playing for the Flint Firebirds this season (where he will remain), he has scored 44 points in 31 games, already passing his goal total from last season.

An incredibly quick skater, the undersized forward got a late start on his OHL career due to the canceled 2020-21 season, potentially leading to him falling further in the draft than he would have. Earning an entry-level deal is a nice next step, though he still has plenty of work to do before reaching the NHL.

Notably, because he will turn 20 in June, Lombardi will be eligible for the AHL next season. It will be interesting to see if the Red Wings go that route, or potentially send him back for an overage year in junior while he continues to add strength and experience.

Either way, he’s a part of an NHL organization now, and should have even more motivation to play well down the stretch. The Firebirds currently sit sixth in the OHL’s Western Conference and a good bit of that is because of Lombardi’s skill. His 44 points are 15 more than his next closest teammate, Chicago Blackhawks third-round pick Gavin Hayes.

Anaheim Ducks Acquire Michael Del Zotto In Three-Team Trade

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In a bit of a confusing swap, the Anaheim Ducks have reacquired defenseman Michael Del Zotto from the Florida Panthers. In the trade, Florida received winger Givani Smith from the Detroit Red Wings, while Detroit received forward Danny O’Regan from the Ducks.

All three have NHL experience but are expected to report to their new teams’ AHL affiliates.

Del Zotto, who has over 700 NHL games under his belt, was expected to possibly make the Panthers out of camp this season with the team lacking in depth at the position. But he didn’t make the opening night roster, and he hasn’t seen a recall since, even with injuries striking the team.

After registering over a point per game in an AHL stint with the Belleville Senators last year, Del Zotto had just 10 points in 25 games with Charlotte before the trade. He’ll now head to San Diego, the last-place team in the league.

O’Regan is serviceable AHL depth who can come up to an NHL team in a pinch. He appeared in five games with Anaheim last season, registering one assist. With San Diego this year, the 28-year-old has three goals and 15 assists in 27 games.

Smith gives Florida a pair of solid physical presences with Ryan Lomberg in the fold as well. A 2016 second-round pick, Smith recorded over 100 penalty minutes in 46 games with Detroit in 2021-22. He’s spent most of this season with AHL Grand Rapids, where he has five points in 19 games.

Austin Czarnik Placed On Waivers

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Czarnik is no stranger to the waiver wire himself, claimed twice last season, once by the Seattle Kraken from the Islanders, then again by the Islanders from the Kraken. The forward signed with the Detroit Red Wings this season, placed on waivers just prior to the start of the regular season, and now finds himself on the wire for the fourth time in roughly 10 months. Known as a solid depth option wherever he goes, the 30-year-old Czarnik has three points in 11 NHL games this season to go with an impressive 14 points in 12 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate.

Austin Watson Fined For Interference

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The NHL and its Department of Player Safety announced earlier that Ottawa Senators forward Austin Watson has been fined $4,054.05 for interference on Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin last night. The fine is the maximum allowable under the CBA. The money will go the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 12:55 of the first period. Larkin would stay in the game after the play, however as Michigan Live’s Ansar Khan reports, Larkin is the only player who played in yesterday’s game not on the ice for practice this morning.

It appears this play was the cause of Ottawa’s recall of forward Scott Sabourin earlier this morning, with the team concerned Watson could be suspended for the play. Now with Watson merely fined, Ottawa should have their choice of who to dress in Minnesota against the Wild this afternoon. Through 30 games this season, the gritty Watson has four points along with 36 penalty minutes and 73 hits.

Olli Maatta Activated Off IR

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  • Prior to their game this afternoon against Ottawa, the Red Wings announced (Twitter link) that they activated defenseman Olli Maatta off injured reserve. The 28-year-old is off to a nice start in his first year with Detroit, notching 10 points in 25 games heading into today’s action while logging nearly 20 minutes per game.  That’s a pretty good early return on the one-year, $2.25MM that Detroit gave him early in free agency.

Detroit Red Wings Re-Assign Steven Kampfer

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The Detroit Red Wings recalled veteran blueliner Steven Kampfer from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, three days ago. Today, after a stay on the roster that did not include an NHL game played, the Red Wings have re-assigned Kampfer back to the AHL.

This move did not come with any other announcements, although seeing as the Red Wings have a whopping seven players on injured reserve, the natural first place to look to is there. Since this re-assignment leaves the Red Wings with just six healthy defensemen on their active roster, it could be an indication that veteran Olli Maatta is nearing a return to full health.

In sending down Kampfer the Red Wings have sent down an offseason acquisition that has fit in well with their AHL affiliate. Through 19 games so far this season Kampfer has 10 points. The 34-year-old defenseman signed in Detroit after a strong 2021-22 in the KHL. In 46 games for KHL side Ak-Bars Kazan, Kampfer had 30 points.

Kampfer is a veteran of over 230 NHL games and could be in line to play in his first NHL game since 2020-21 if he is called up once again. In the meantime, though, he’ll head back to Grand Rapids and resume his role as one of the team’s top all-around defensemen.

Jakub Vrana Enters Follow-Up Phase Of Player Assistance Program

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Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana is now eligible to return to action after moving into the follow-up phase of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. According to a press release from the league, his care “continues to be administered” but the dynamic forward’s status has been changed to available.

Vrana entered the program in October and has played just two games this season. He scored 13 goals and 19 points in 26 games in 2021-22, and is on the second season of a three-year, $15.75MM contract with Detroit.

The team has not yet made any statement on when Vrana will be back in the lineup, but given the two months that it has been since he last suited up, it may take some time before he can contribute. The Red Wings are set to play the Ottawa Senators tomorrow afternoon. The team has enough cap space and roster room to activate Vrana if they choose to do so.

Detroit Red Wings Issue Injury Updates

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The Detroit Red Wings issued a pair of injury updates before and during tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. Earlier today, head coach Derek Lalonde noted that “we’ll know more” on the status of captain Dylan Larkin in the next couple of days, while defenseman Filip Hronek left their game against the Wild and will not return after colliding in a massive open-ice hit with Minnesota forward Ryan Reaves.

Larkin is out with a hand injury sustained in yesterday’s loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The team’s leader in assists and points has been critical in keeping Detroit in the playoff race despite a bevy of injuries early on in the year.

Hronek has been Detroit’s best defenseman this year, eclipsing the offensive and defensive play of last year’s Calder Trophy winner, Moritz Seider. His 24 points rank eighth among all NHL defensemen, and his +11 rating is tied for the team lead.

While Detroit has been able to keep its head above water, long-term absences to one or both of their best players this season could be the nail in the coffin for Detroit’s playoff hopes in an increasingly tight Eastern Conference race. The Red Wings are 10th in the conference and sit three points back of a playoff spot entering tonight’s play.

Red Wings Recall Soderblom; Place Maatta On Injured Reserve

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The Detroit Red Wings are getting Elmer Soderblom back, recalling him from the minor leagues after his recent return from injury. To clear room on the roster, Olli Maatta has been moved to injured reserve, retroactive to his last game on December 6.

Soderblom, 21, played just two games with the Grand Rapids Griffins on what equated to a conditioning stint, failing to score a point in the process. The 6’8″ forward last played in the NHL over a month ago but should get a chance to re-enter the lineup in the coming days.

Maatta, meanwhile, is out with an illness and was already ruled out for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Wild. Given how long it has been since his last game, he’ll be able to be activated as soon as he’s ready to return.

At that point, the team will have to make a decision on who to send back down. Steven Kampfer, recently recalled from the minors, could be an option once Maatta is healthy enough to play.

Detroit Red Wings Place Robert Hagg On Injured Reserve

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The Detroit Red Wings currently sit in fourth place in the Atlantic Division but after dropping two in a row, are in danger of falling down the standings. As they try to get back on track, they’ll have to compete without depth defenseman Robert Hagg, who was placed on injured reserve today. In his place, Steven Kampfer has been recalled from the minor leagues.

This is exactly why the Red Wings signed Kampfer in the offseason, bringing him back from a year spent playing in the KHL. The U.S. Olympian has more than 230 games of NHL experience and can essentially step directly into a third-pairing role if needed. Now 34, Kampfer last appeared in the NHL during the 2020-21 season as a member of the Boston Bruins. He played in 20 games that year, recording five points and averaging nearly 17 minutes a night. Through 19 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the right-shot defenseman has ten points.

Hagg, meanwhile, is having a season to forget so far, missing a good chunk of training camp and now hitting injured reserve after just 13 appearances. The 6’2″ defenseman is a big, physical force on the ice but has never offered much in the way of puck-moving ability.

There’s actually an argument to be made that Kampfer is a better fit overall for the Red Wings, though losing defensive depth is never a good thing. Detroit is dealing with a number of injuries at the moment, with six players now on IR. The team is back in action this evening against the Carolina Hurricanes.

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