Ansar Khan tweets,
lines at practice:
Raymond-Larkin-Bertuzzi
Berggren-Copp-Rasmussen
Fabbri-Veleno-Perron
Kubalik-Suter-Sundqvist
Erne extra
Walman-Seider
Chiarot-Hronek
Maatta-Lindstrom
Oesterle extra; Hagg and Zadina (IR) also skating.
Looks like Bertuzzi might be ready. We’ll see.power play units:
1. Bertuzzi (net front), Larkin (bumper), Perron-Fabbri (flanks), Hronek (point).
2. Sundqvist (net front), Berggren (bumper), Raymond-Walman (flanks), Seider (point).
from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
A year ago, there was a palable buzz about the number of quality prospects who were either in Detroit, with the AHL Grand Rapids Girffins, or playing starring roles for European clubs. It was the same in prior seasons as Raymond, Seider and Joe Veleno were working their way up the ladder.
Theres no such excitement about the next wave of European Red Wings hopefuls, at least not yet.
Beyond defenseman Simon Edvinsson, Detroits sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft, the new defensemen with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins arent setting the world on fire, according to NHL scouts whove seen a lot of the likes of Albert Johansson and Eemil Viro. And the reports on goalie Sebastian Cossa are that his play has been erratic and inconsistent at best.
Among the next crop of future hopefuls, defenseman William Wallinder and Marco Kasper, Detroits top pick in the 2022 draft, are playing key roles with Rogle of the SHL. Beyond that pair, there isnt much to create excitement among Detroit picks playing in Europe.
read on
from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,
Nedeljkovic and Wings general manager Steve Yzerman talked at the start of last week about taking advantage of the Griffins' home stand. At the time, no decision had been made on whether Nedeljkovic would stay in the minors for the full two weeks possible, but given how well he has played the past week, the Wings may deem him ready to come back. They're off Sunday after playing three games in four nights, and next play Tuesday at home against the Winnipeg Jets.
It's not so much goaltending help the Wings need, though it's scoring. They have just four goals the past three games: From defenseman Jake Walman in Saturday's 4-1 loss at the Toronto Maple Leafs; from forwards Jonatan Berggren and Robby Fabbri in the 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, and from Lucas Raymond in the 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. But Vrana hasn't even been scoring at the AHL level: In six games with the Griffins, the former top-line winger with the Wings has one assist and a minus-6 rating. He didn't play hockey for the two months he was placed in the players assistance program, so some initial rust was to be expected, but he is too skilled an offensive player to be quiet for long.
The Wings originally placed Vrana in the minors on a conditioning stint, and went on to place him on waivers Jan. 3. He was assigned to the minors after clearing,' so while Vrana's stay is indefinite, Nedeljkovic will soon be back in the Wings' locker room.
more on Ned...
Lalonde tells the gathered media Bertuzzi will play tomorrow and Husso starts.
Bertuzzi in? wow.
Any other Vrana issues notwithstanding, I dont understand the idea that he has to show he can score in the AHL before they could move him back to Detroit. He has maybe the highest goals per game average on the team since hes been with Detroit.
This seems like nonsense as hes a known scorer in the NHL, probably a smokescreen for the real issues the Wings have with him.
I believe Vrana being waived/sent to GR is more about Vrana's attitude needing adjustment rather than anything else.. just my opinion of course. I know when he stepped off the ice ten minutes into that first season practice chapped my ass, i cannot fathom how pissed Wings management was. I might be off base.
I see neither nonsense nor smokescreen attempts here. Vrana has played about a month in the last two years, and that includes offseason work. He is now coming off of some sort of undisclosed rehab that's likely set his body even further back than just being unable to say skate, shoot, or lift.
Not to mention, the book on him is that he's effortless/careless away from the puck, and is only interested in being up the ice to get setup to shoot. It's a long running knock on him from several coaches, that's not what the wings are looking for.
Im guessing Vrana is just out of shape for now. Whatever other issues, well likely hear about way down the line if ever.
I hope this team moves out UFA contracts and just folds this season. Theyre like 1 in 30 to make the playoffs now, and even if they did, theyd likely just get swept by Boston right away.
Time to Tank. This season has been unlucky and awful. Hard to believe its only half over.
power play units:
1. Bertuzzi (net front)
So he's had both hands broken this year and they're going to have him play net front. Hmmm. Think I'll check Bally Sports and see what the odds are that either Hronek or Wallman accidentally hits him in the hand tomorrow night. :-p
...there isnt much to create excitement among Detroit picks playing in Europe.
The good news is a couple of American prospects are doing well. Cross Hanas (Dallas, TX) was on a roll in GR until he got hurt. But he still has 7 goals and 5 assists in 20 games. And Carter Mazur (Jackson, MI) is filling the net up with the Univ. of Denver. He has 16 goals and 6 assists in 22 games and is a +13.
Reading the Khan article, it does not seem like Vrana is. ever going to be a Wing again
Disagree, they have to get him up to speed even if they do plan to move him.
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