from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
Here is a sampling of unrestricted goal scorers the Red Wings can consider this summer:
Alex Killorn (Tampa Bay Lightning):
If you talk to people around the NHL, they think Yzerman will make a pitch for Killorn. He knows him, and his ability, from their time together in Tampa. Killorn is 33, hard-edged, and has scored 52 goals over the past two season. He’s been a durable player throughout his career. Killorn is currently on a streak of 265 games played. Plug him into the second line and count on 20 goals and a strong all-around season.
Right Wing Vladimir Tarasenko (New York Rangers)
At 31, he’s still a potential 30-goal scorer. Proven scoring touch. Two years ago, he posted 34 goals and 82 points in 75 games. Injuries undermined him last season and he had 50 points in 69 games. What could he do with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond?
more names
No thanks on Eggball.
from Patrick Williams at TheAHL,
Change has come to Grand Rapids as the parent Detroit Red Wings continue their rebuilding process.
Overseeing the ongoing organizational transition is executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman. As he did during his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has made his AHL affiliate a crucial part of building the Red Wings organization.
The Griffins, who have won the Calder Cup twice in the last decade, missed the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2022-23, finishing last in the Central Division at 28-36-4-4. Captain Brian Lashoff announced his retirement after playing 629 games in Grand Rapids, third-most in AHL history among players who spent their entire careers with one club. Head coach Ben Simon, assistants Todd Krygier and Matt Macdonald and goaltending coach Brian Mahoney-Wilson will not be returning after long tenures with the Griffins.
Yzerman has long-time NHL forward Shawn Horcoff, Detroits assistant general manager, handling much of the day-to-day work in Grand Rapids. Horcoff also serves as the general manager in Grand Rapids and just completed his first full season in that role after six seasons in player development for the organization. Yzerman and Horcoff both understand the role that the Griffins will play in building another winning operation in Detroit. Neither wanted to overlook missing the Calder Cup Playoffs and the Griffins long history of success.
We want to focus on development, but we want to win as well, said Horcoff, who began his 16-year playing career in the AHL before going on to skate in 1,008 games in the National Hockey League. Its a hard league. Its a very good league. Our division is very competitive. There are no easy games any night. I learned a lot. This is my first year from start to finish and having to watch the team and really get to know the American League on a much deeper level, its depth [that is key].
continued
Maybe Tanguay as the Griffs' HC?
Maybe Engvall, for the right price. The rest of the guys mentioned are retreads.
from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
What Does His Detroit Future Hold?
The best case scenario would be Kasper comes to training camp next fall, looks sharp, puts up points in preseason game and earns a spot on the roster as a No. 2 or No. 3 center.
Thats not unthinkable. The healing time of his injury provides enough time to be ready for training camp.
At 19, Kasper is the same age Lucas Raymond was when he made the Detroit roster coming out of training camp. Kaspers 2022-23 season in the SHL was more productive than Raymonds final season. Raymond had six goals and 18 points.
Matty Beniers was 19, a few months older than Kasper will be next fall, when he made the Seattle Kraken roster last fall as one of their top two centers. He finished with 57 points. They are different players, but the trait that binds them is their high hockey IQ.
But it would not be horrible news if Kasper doesnt make the team. He would be sent to Grand Rapids for more development time. If he plays impressively in Grand Rapids, the Red Wings wont hesitant to promote him. Steve Yzerman wont rush him, but it feels like they want to give him early NHL experience. Thats why they brought him up last season.
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