On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft
The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings
Available in bookstores & online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Triumph Books.
For personalized copies, contact Hstjames
@freepress
.com
The New York Rangers, who had 79 points and who took part in the 2020 playoffs, win the first pick in the 2020 NHL draft.
The Detroit Red Wings, who had 39 points & was the only team eliminated when NHL paused March 12, pick 4th. What a farce.
Love Filip Zadina's swagger. Said he's going to make Montreal & Ottawa pay for passing on him.
“I was telling my agent, if they will pass on me, I’m going to fill their nets with pucks. I want to prove to Detroit that they make a pretty good decision.”
Red Wings Steve Yzerman says Tyler Bertuzzi has declined to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Will be at camp, following guidelines, but anticipation is he will not travel to games in Canada.
Pertaining to
@JoeSmithTB
report of Steve Yzerman stepping down as GM in Tampa Bay, source tells Free Press Yzerman told Lightning players he was going home to Detroit. Has maintained area home while GM of Tampa Bay Lightning.
What Henrik Zetterberg had to say: "The inconsistency in this league right now, if it's the refs or it's the guys in Toronto or if it's the suspensions or if it's the fines, it's hard for us as players to know what rules we are playing under."
Tyler Bertuzzi on being the Red Wings' representative at the 2020 All-Star Game: "If they didn’t have to pick someone from every team, I know I wouldn’t be there. But I am excited to get this opportunity."
Tyler Bertuzzi says he'll be watching Red Wings Saturday when they're in Montreal. Can't travel because not vaccinated. Leads Wings with 5 goals in 3 games.
Russian Five display at Little Caesars Arena in honor of tonight's anniversary celebration of the 1997 Cup team. Konstantinov & Larionov the only ones who will be at LCA – Fedorov & Kozlov coaching in KHL; Fetisov sanctioned by U.S. gov't over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Tyler Bertuzzi: “Not once have I ever said I want to leave.” Says neither he nor his agent have had conversation about trade with Steve Yzerman. “I love it here.”
#Redwings
Former Red Wings defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov turns 54 today.
Here he is taking his turn with the Stanley Cup, June 7, 1997 (📷 Mary Schroeder, DFP).
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde on David Perron suspension: "Someone sent me the Auston Matthews crosscheck, pretty similar. For a four-games difference in those two – David's had a clean sheet for 1100 games. I know he was pretty disappointed."
via
@freep
Red Wings prospects Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina both sticking around the Detroit area most of the summer to work out with guys like Dylan Larkin and Luke Glendening.
Jeff Blashill says he feels "pissed off" for Dylan Larkin that he feels he has to defend himself for hit. No penalty on Joseph for hitting Larkin right "in the numbers" into the boards. Larkin couldn't practice today. Coming off neck injury in April.
Dylan Larkin on Henrik Zetterberg stepping away: "I think it’s a sad day for hockey, for the NHL, for Detroit, for Detroit sports. We’re losing an icon."
#RedWings
Detroit Lions just polished off Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field, now Red Wings warming up ahead of taking on Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena.
"He's a terrible person, the worst I ever met. He’s a bully who was attacking people. ... From 2011 on, I was terrified of being at the rink."
via
@freep
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman says plan is to name captain this season. Team hasn’t had one since Henrik Zetterberg retired in September 2018. Dylan Larkin expected next captain.
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde on his Thanksgiving plans: "I am going to the Lions game. I am actually very excited about it. I'm all on board. It's been a fun team to watch."
Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde on 8:23 p.m. start: "Absolutely awful. And I get it on the big picture, but I don't know why our fans, who are as loyal as can be, have to come to the rink for an 8:23 start. I mean, my family is not coming. They're staying home because of it."
Red Wings' Steve Yzerman downplayed that being at NHL draft facilitates trades: "It's not like we just wander around the room, kind of looking for somebody & open up the raincoat & sell them a watch or something like that. There is a bit of a plan to it all, believe it or not."
Red Wings F Tyler Bertuzzi called it a "life choice" to refuse COVID-19 vaccine. Said he knows it means he can't play in Canada (9 games) but reiterated it's personal choice.
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman on 2021 draft: "I would hope they push it back, and give us a chance to watch these kids and give these kids a chance to play and put their best foot forward leading up to the draft."
Priceless answer from Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman when I asked him why his screen was dark & mike muted during Zoom calls with draft prospects: "I was doing Yoga for most of the interviews, so I was trying to not be a distraction."
Vladislav Namestnikov, who grew up in metro Detroit and is Slava Kozlov's nephew, said Red Wings were at the top of his list in free agency. "It's kind of awesome it happened." Signed 2yr $4M.
Jeff Blashill said Red Wings' Dylan Larkin "spent eight weeks in a cervical hard collar" after being crosschecked in neck by Dallas' Jamie Benn April 20.
That was why Larkin retaliated after TBL Mathieu Joseph drove Larkin into the boards from behind, causing injury.
Jeff Blashill & his hockey-playing daughter were at a U.S. dev. game & sat next to Tony Granato. Daughter said, "I can’t believe I sat next to Cammi Granato’s brother." That’s the type of impact these women are going to have on lots of girls across the country.” 🇺🇸 🥇
Jeff Blashill said multiple Red Wings players took advantage of weeklong shutdown to get COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Red Wings preparing to play NYI Wednesday.
Walked into arena seeing so many children today, the advantage of a family friendly 1 p.m. start. NHL needs more weekend games that start between 1-5 p.m.
Moritz Seider said when he came on stage with Red Wings, Steve Yzerman told him, "just be calm and enjoy the moment, because my hands were still shaking and so sweaty."
D Marc Staal, a UFA, says there's interest in both sides on returning to Red Wings. Was acquired in Oct. in trade with NYR, played all 56 games. Could see him as a fit for Moritz Seider next season, good partner for young player.
Derek Lalonde on Red Wings goalie Ville Husso's first performance (25 saves in 5-2 victory at Bruins) after a two-week paternity leave: "He should have a kid every six weeks."
Lucas Raymond, who has made the Red Wings' opening roster, got a phone call Sunday that Steve Yzerman wanted to see him. Was it like being called to the principal's office? "I've never been called to the principal's office."
Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno on newcomer Moritz Seider: “Seider is a real good defenseman. I’ve seen a couple of his clips and he moves well, skates well.”
Me: “So you took Steve’s advice and Googled him?”
Veleno, smiling: “Yeah, I did.”
Last week Tomas Tatar pranked Niklas Kronwall by leaving a cane by his locker. Was traded Monday. “I miss him already,” Kronwall said. “Plus, now I have to sit next to Gus.” 🏒 ✈️ 😀
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider wins 2022 Calder Trophy (as voted by members of
@PHWA
). Seider takes home award that eluded Wings greats Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov & Nicklas Lidström – all runner-ups.
On his 50th birthday, a look back at Nicklas Lidstrom: He missed 44 games in 20 seasons, and the Detroit Red Wings never missed the playoffs
via
@freep
Red Wings prospect Jonatan Berggren said he and Lucas Raymond have taught fellow SHL-alum Joe Veleno some Swedish, and that while they're in Traverse City, Veleno, the only one with to a car, has been ferrying the 3 around. "He's our Uber driver."
New Red Wings assistant coach Alex Tanguay, who played for Avalanche 1999-2006, said Kris Draper called him a few days ago & said "You're the first one to cross that bridge. ... It was such a unique rivalry."
Henrik Zetterberg after Wings' 10-1 loss at Montreal: "I’ve played professional hockey for 20 years, I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of anything like what happened here tonight."