Detroit Red Wings

Draft reviews are in: 'The Red Wings killed it'
Trade of Tatar leads to getting Veleno in addition to Zadina in first round

DETROIT -- Every team feels good after another draft concludes and the Detroit Red Wings are no exception.

The Wings added 10 players to their prospect pipeline - three wings, three defensemen, two centers and two goaltenders.

In addition, Detroit traded one of their two sixth-round picks for a fifth-rounder in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, so they are loaded with 11 picks already.

While it will be tough for the Wings to top their 1989 draft, in which they got Hall of Famer Nick Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov along with Mike Sillinger, Bob Boughner, Dallas Drake and Vladimir Konstantinov, the reviews from all across hockey have been raving about what the team accomplished.

NHL.com listed the Red Wings as one of nine teams for which the draft went really well.

Adam Kimelman said: "Detroit got full value with the 10 picks it used, starting with the selection of arguably the top offensive talent in the draft, Halifax right wing Filip Zadina, at No. 6. In his first season in North America, Zadina led rookies in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 82 points (44 goals, 38 assists). Then at No. 30, the Red Wings selected skilled, hardworking center Joseph Veleno.

"In the second round (No. 36), they picked Halifax defenseman Jared McIsaac, who was No. 13 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American players. Third-round pick (No. 67) Alec Regula of London (6-3, 203) won't turn 18 until Aug. 6 but was second among OHL rookie defensemen with 25 points (seven goals, 16 assists). Madison right wing Ryan O'Reilly, selected in the fourth round (No. 98), scored 21 goals in 45 USHL games."

ESPN.com named the Wings one of their winners of the 2018 draft.

Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshyinski wrote: "Filip Zadina might be the surest scorer in this draft, and somehow -- miraculously -- he fell in the Red Wings' lap at No. 6 overall. This is a winger who can play as soon as this season, even in a top-six role.

"The Red Wings then capitalized on another draft faller, when center Joseph Veleno was available at No. 30. Detroit's biggest need was defense, and the Wings addressed that with three defensemen during the next two rounds.

"Detroit is embarking on a total makeover, and this draft couldn't have gone any better for GM Ken Holland, who has been on a roll since the trade deadline after bringing in a haul for Tomas Tatar. Apparently, reports of Holland's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The Red Wings being good again is fun for everyone."

USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen also praised the Wings after their 10-player haul: "Winner: Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland: With the No. 6 pick, the Red Wings landed Zadina, one of the most exciting offensive players in the draft. With the No. 30 pick, they landed Joe Veleno, a hard-working, high-character center who was projected to go much earlier."

The Hockey News' Ryan Kennedy also placed the Wings in the winners column: "Thanks to Montreal taking Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Arizona calling Barrett Hayton, the Red Wings are gifted with Filip Zadina at No. 6. The dynamic Czech clearly thought the Habs liked him in his media scrum and offered a warning for Montreal and Ottawa, which also passed on him: 'I was telling my agent, if they will pass on me, I'm going to fill their nets with pucks.'

"The Red Wings got some more good fortune at the back end with the pick they got from Vegas in the Tomas Tatar deal: Drummondville's Joe Veleno was still available at No. 30, even though he looked like a mid-first rounder at worst. Veleno admitted to getting a little nervous as the picks flew by, but it all worked out in the end for him."

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic also listed the Wings as winners, saying: "The Red Wings were in the best shape coming in, and had eight picks in the top 100. Mix in that I didn't like seven of their 10 picks, including where they took two players (Alec Regula and Jared McIsaac) who were on my list, and it's a miracle they're on this list. But they did so damn well with their first three picks of the draft that they deserve a ton of credit. Zadina was an obvious home run at No. 6, but the real value was in Joe Veleno, ranked 13th on my board, at 30th overall, and Jonatan Berggren, who was a risky pick they didn't have to take but were right to anyways. Berggren, ranked 20th, has unique upside, pull-away speed, outstanding puck skills, a nifty release point, escapability, and playmaking ability in traffic. There's a chance they found three future top-nine forwards." (RedWings.com)

 

Red Wings agree to terms with 2 RFA's...

Tyler Bertuzzi: 2 years, $1.4M cap
Martin Frk: 1 year, $1.05M cap

 

I'm hearing the testy Swede, Rob Lehner, and the Wings are closing in on a deal. I think it makes a lot of sense since he'll be getting a lot less coin than the $4MM Buffalo paid him. His stats are not horrible, especially considering the D in front of him. I expect he won't want too much term just so he has a chance to prove himself before a big-money deal in 3-4 years.

 

Thanks for the info, Dan. I like him and I think its a good move... hope it goes thru. Wings 'D' wont be good either, but Lehner is solid in my opinion.

 

Lehner visits Red Wings: report
Detroit looking for goalie to back up Howard

Robin Lehner has visited the Detroit Red Wings, The Athletic reported Wednesday.

The 26-year-old pending free agent goalie was 14-26-9 with a 3.01 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and three shutouts in 53 games with the Buffalo Sabres this season. He had NHL career highs in starts (58) and wins (23) during the 2016-17 season.

Lehner did not receive a qualifying offer from the Sabres, which made him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The Red Wings also have spoken with the representatives for free agent goalies Carter Hutton and Jonathan Bernier.

Detroit this season traded Petr Mrazek to the Philadelphia Flyers, leaving Jimmy Howard as its only goalie with significant NHL experience. Howard was 22-27-9 with a 2.85 GAA and .910 save percentage in 60 games. It was the most games he played since 2010-11 (63); he played 63 games over the prior two seasons. Howard will play the final year of his contract next season.

Bernier, 29, was 19-13-3 with a 2.85 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 37 games with the Avalanche, including a nine-game winning streak from Dec. 31-Jan. 22. He was 1-3 with a 3.87 GAA and .883 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hutton, 32, was 17-7-3 with a 2.09 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and three shutouts in 32 games with the St. Louis Blues. He ranked first in the NHL in GAA and save percentage among goalies who played at least 20 games. (NHL.com)

 

Green signs 2 year deal in Detroit.

Bernier expected to sign a 3 year deal today...

 

Development Camp...

 

• Thomas Vanek (one year, $3 million), Mike Green (two year, $10.75 million) and Jonathan Bernier (three year, $9 million) have all signed with the Detroit Red Wings.

 

I thought Detroit was in the midst of a rebuild... these signing make me wonder what they are doing.

 

I think they feel they've reloaded. Personally I think that's a mistake, but teams can rebound quickly if the right new pieces are brought in, and if the chemistry is right.

The Avs went from worst-ever (non-expansion team) to the playoffs. They really only added a few pieces, and enjoyed an organizational enema.

 

I like your take. Im thinking mistake too, but agree, you can get lucky from time to time and get the right positive streaks from key/core players and a little goaltending and who knows?

Really not to keen on a lets make the playoffs target, but rather what components are needed to win a Cup out-right and create an establishment that will last a few seasons, ala the Blackhawks, Bruins, Preds, etc etc.

I just think Ken Holland, who basically admitted so, is trying to have the 'best of both worlds' and that frightens me. Is it possible even to think that way? Is it, play the kids and see what sticks, or is it mix in vets and pick up where they left off?

It seems like a deep hole the Wings have buried themselves in and are trying to attack it in a half-assed fashion, instead of focusing all energy into a fine point of direction. But, admittedly, Im no expert and I am expecting Mr. Holland to save the day again, lol. We need a hero!

 

Well, Will, that's why they play the season.

Here's to both of our teams, that the games are competitive and, dare I say, meaningful.

 

Wings had a good draft, lots in the pipeline, the tatar trade worked for the better.

 

Zetterberg status uncertain for Red Wings
Forward may not play this season because of back problems



Henrik Zetterberg is not guaranteed to play for the Detroit Red Wings this season, though general manager Ken Holland reiterated he expected him to.

"The last I talked to him, I think he's planning on playing," Holland told the Red Wings website Sunday. "Obviously his back is going to determine whether he can or he can't. Do I have a clear green light? I'm expecting him to play. Do I have a clear green light? No, I don't know that I've got a clear green light."

Speculation this offseason has cast doubt over the forward's return for a 16th NHL season. The 37-year-old does have a lingering back problem but has played every game the past three seasons.

"Obviously when you are dealing with the back and you're dealing with the health of a person, as well all know, it's hard to read the future when it comes to health," Holland said. "Obviously, that's a key piece for us. I'll stay in touch with Henrik as we get into July to see how his health is." (NHL.com)
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Could sure use the Captains services...

 

Dead Things sign Andreas Athanasiou to a 2 year $6 deal.
Pretty sure this guy was difficult to sign last season so I guess it's a good thing they got him locked up. Better use those wheels to score more than 33 points next year.

 

Red Wings training camp, prospects tournament dates released

The Detroit Red Wings return to Centre I.C.E. in Traverse City for their 20th NHL Prospects Tournament, followed by training camp.

The Prospects Tournament will run from Sept. 7-11. The eight-team field will consist of prospects from the defending-champion Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.

The Red Wings will be on ice for training camp from Sept. 14-18. The Red and White game takes place Sept. 16, following two days of scrimmages. The team will remain in Traverse City for two more days of practices on Sept. 17-18 before breaking camp and starting their preseason schedule Sept. 19 vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena.

The Training Camp Alumni and Celebrity Game will also return for a sixth consecutive season on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. in a new format. This year, a team of Red Wings alumni will face Guns-n-Hoses, a team consisting of players from local Traverse City police and fire departments. Guns-n-Hoses is a non-profit organization created to assist individuals and families in need in the Grand Traverse community.

 

Mantha agrees to two-year contract with Red Wings
Forward had NHL career highs in goals, assists, points last season



Anthony Mantha agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

Financial terms were not released.

The 23-year-old forward had NHL career highs in goals (24), assists (24) and points (48) in 80 games with the Red Wings last season.