via Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
Losing has its advantages in the NHL. The Red Wings’ latest struggles have lowered them into 25th place in the standings.
If they stay there, and no team jumps ahead of them in the draft lottery, they would own the eighth pick in this summer’s NHL draft. They had the eighth pick in last season’s draft and claimed Marco Kasper. This season’s draft class is said to be stronger than last season’s class.
If Detroit stays at 25th, they would also have a 6% chance of winning the lottery moving up to the No. 1 pick and a 6.4% chance of drafting at No. 2. They would have a 54.4% chance of staying at No. 8 and and 30% chance of falling to No. 9. As Red Wings fans know, the franchise historically hasn’t had any luck in the lottery.
Plus, the final standings are far from settled. The Red Wings have 10 games left, and are only three points ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and four ahead of the Arizona Coyotes. Both of those teams are playing better than the Red Wings. Detroit’s draft status could improve even more.
Carter Mazur Watch
Several reports say the Detroit Red Wings are moving toward the signing of 2021 draft pick Carter Mazur. He’s coming off 22-goal sophomore season at Denver. He plays with belligerence, and has been compared to Tyler Bertuzzi.added 10:03am, Wings have signed Carter Mazur, press release is below.
DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings today recalled left wing Taro Hirose from the American Hockey Leagues Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.
Hirose, 26, has skated in 64 games with the Griffins this season and ranks among the team leaders with 15 goals (2nd), 39 assists (1st), 54 points (1st), three power play goals (6th) and 136 shots (2nd). The 5-foot-10, 162-pound forward split the 2021-22 campaign between Detroit and Grand Rapids, recording four points (1-3-4) in 15 appearances with the Red Wings while tallying 53 points (15-38-53) in 59 games with the Griffins. In all, Hirose has logged 20 points (4-16-20) and 12 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Red Wings since making his NHL debut in 2018-19. He has also accumulated 162 points (40-122-162) and 40 penalty minutes in 187 games with the Griffins over the last four seasons. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Red Wings on March 12, 2019, Hirose posted seven points (1-6-7) in 10 contests during his first NHL stint in 2018-19.
from Max Bultman of The Athletic,
Where could Mazur play next season?
He will play in Grand Rapids this spring, but after two highly-productive college seasons, Mazur should enter training camp this fall with at least a chance at making the Red Wings next season. Hes 21 years old as of today (what a birthday present!), and in addition to his scoring touch, Mazur plays a hard-nosed game that should translate well to the NHL in time.
The question is whether Detroit will opt to give him some prolonged time in the AHL first, as they have done with most prospects under general manager Stephen Yzerman. Ultimately, it will come down to his play in training camp and the preseason, but how he looks down the stretch this season could give the Red Wings something to think about, too.
How does Mazur project long term?
With his blend of scoring ability and physicality, Mazur projects as a real piece of the future for Detroit, which could use more of both of those elements. In his most recent Under-23 player ranking, Corey Pronman projected Mazur on the bubble of a top- and middle-of-the-lineup player, and at No. 69 overall just four spots back of 2022 Red Wings first-round pick Marco Kasper. Mazur has shown an ability to score with both his shot and around the net since being drafted, which should make him a versatile winger capable of playing up and down the lineup as needed.
more ($)
Stephen eh? That just looks weird.
from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
Right now Im very sad that the season is over, but Im still very happy that I got to play a good season here in Rögle, Kasper said. I still think that I have been able to develop throughout the season.
Kasper Ready To Take Next Step With Red Wings
At the same time, Kasper is buzzing with excitement about the adventure that lay ahead of him the chance to come to North America and seek to earn a spot with the Red Wings next season.
Kasper put his signature to an entry-level contract with Detroit not long after his name was called eighth overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft.
I have a contract with Detroit and it will probably be that I try over there in North America, Kasper said. Thats the plan, anyway.
More Schooling In His Future
The next hockey action on Kaspers calendar will be suiting up for Austria in the upcoming world championship. But before that takes place, he has more lessons to learn.
more
I guess I was watching the standings this morning. I just happened to look at this current draft order. SY has hit several home runs in the draft, lets hope with this many chances he hits one or two more. He could possibly pakage some of those for a higher pick.
Looks like we signed Wallinder too.
I'm watching the standings because I've got a bet going with my brother in law and it's going to come down to the number of points the wings get and (our tiebreaker) the number of points the Griffins get. If the Griffins post a.500 win percent I'll win the bet and get a bottle of bourbon!
That's all the betting I need in my life haha.
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.