from Steven Ellis of The Daily Faceoff,
We’re in the second half of the 2022-23 NHL season – and if your team is near the bottom of the standings, it’s been a miserable few months.
The good thing is Connor Bedard is the ultimate consolation prize for missing the playoffs. We’ve been detailing the race to the bottom on a daily basis, so if you want to know how your team stacks up against the worst of the worst, that’s a great place to start.
So, let’s spread some positivity today. Here’s a look at one under-the-radar player making noise on each of the bottom 10 lottery contender teams. We’re not talking stars – we’re talking about those having a bigger impact than expected for teams without much to cheer about right now:...
Jake Walman, D (Detroit Red Wings)
After years of medicority, Walman has managed to land a top-pairing role with the Red Wings this year, and he’s looking good. Walman has averaged a career-high 18:44 this season, far beyond his 13:00 in three years in St. Louis and his 17:28 in 19 games with the Red Wings last year. He has even added some deep-league fantasy value, too. Many believed the Red Wings would take some solid steps towards the playoffs this year, but it’s clear they’re in the draft lottery hunt moving forward. At least they’re getting some good play out of Walman, who is one tough customer to go up against.
more players...
DETROIT The Detroit Red Wings today activated right wing Matt Luff from injured reserve and assigned him to the American Hockey Leagues Grand Rapids Griffins.
from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,
Bob Boughner, the Wings' associate coach who oversees the defense, was the head coach in San Jose the last three seasons, so there was a lot of catching up with some of the Sharks' traveling party.
Lalonde, a rookie head coach, spoke glowingly of what Bougher has brought to Lalonde and the Wings' staff.
"I literally could not have drawn up a better resume for me," Lalonde said of adding Boughner. "I'm not going to say it fell into our lap, I really think he wanted to be here because we're trying to build something and to work with some of these young defensemen here.
"As a first-time head coach I've watched Jon Cooper (in Tampa) when he was young in his career, and he hired Rick Bowness (veteran coach), and these guys' experience is real. Especially with Bob, not only on a players' side of it but the coaching side. He's been vitally valuable for me running the penalty kill and the defense, the ins and outs of just the everyday being a head coach."
Lalonde recounted the mood after Saturday's 2-1 loss against Philadelphia, and Boughner providing a calm voice.
"He's just an old-school hockey guy," Lalonde said. "That Philly loss stung. We did so many good things, and Bob has been there and he walked me through the numbers and how well we played, and just hang in there. Having that type of experience and someone like that has been extremely valuable."
more on the Wings ($)
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.