Category: NHL

NHL

My Detroit Sports: #MyRedWings Weekly #13 (End of Season Edition)

A lot of the times, when a franchise is struggling, they look to nostalgia. Returning legends will make appearances. They’ll promote “look at everything we’ve done!” until you’re blue in the face. Detroit capitalized on the “out with the old, in with the new” scheme the past 2 non-playoff seasons, closing The Joe and opening Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings finished their season much like how it started, disappointing. Ending at 73 points in the standings. Detroit went 3-6 in their final 2+ weeks. Wins coming against the defending champs, Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-2, Buffalo Sabres, 6-3 and Ottawa Senators, 2-0.

Season leaders for 2017-18; Anthony Mantha, goals (24), Dylan Larkin, assists (47) and points (63), Jimmy Howard wins (22) and save percentage (.910%).

A lot of questions need to be addressed in the offseason.

It’s unlikely that he’ll return, but the Wings could use some veteran leadership. Do they bring back their only 2017-18 All-Star? Mike Green’s impending free agency.

Learning on the fly, how will Tyler Bertuzzi improve on his rookie season?

After trading Petr Mrazek, is Jared Coreau NHL ready?

Perhaps the most important question heading into the offseason is, what will Detroit do with all of those draft picks? NHL Draft Lottery is April 28th. Will luck swing their way? Rasmus Dahlin would sure look great in a winged-wheel jersey!

On a side note, congratulations to Justin Abdelkader who is expecting his first child later this year!

Red Wings enter an offseason of uncertainty. Many fans are calling for GM, Ken Holland and coach, Jeff Blashill’s jobs, but it was announced that both will be retained. It is understandable to express frustration as fans of an elite franchise like the Wings, however, this is the first “rebuild” Detroit has had to go through in a long time. Holland made some key trades this season that brought back a slew of draft picks. The rebuild might come sooner than later with a loaded draft and aging veterans coming off the books. However, Krowall and Zetterberg expected to return.

As for Blashill, it’s not a fair assessment this season, that another coach would have done better with this roster. He must be a decent coach in the NHL or else he wouldn’t have been sought out to coach the Men’s World Championship, again.

For further coverage of the Detroit Red Wings offseason and future, check out My Detroit Sports insider, Garrett Kolodziej’s analysis of the Wings on the My Detroit Sports Show.

From one Red Wings fan to another, give it time, Hockeytown. See you next season! #LGRW

NHL

My Detroit Sports: #MyRedWings Weekly #12

The Wings continue a rough road trip out west before coming back home to face Petr Mrazek and the Philadelphia Flyers. As the losses mount up, Detroit found themselves outside of the playoff picture.

Jared Coreau has had the tough task of learning on the fly, being called up after the departure of Mrazek. Thursday, he surrendered 3 goals to the Kings in the 4-1 loss to Los Angeles. Gustav Nyquist scored his 18th goal of the season.

Friday, Detroit Red Wings took the I-5 Freeway South to the Honda Center to face the Anaheim Ducks. Mike Green kept things tight with a goal in the first, 1-1. Derek Grant would provide the early 2nd period goal for the Ducks. Nyquist responded with a goal of his own to tie the game, yet again. Anaheim would pull away with the 4-2 win to send Detroit to their 9th-straight loss.

Capping off their road trip Sunday, in Colorado, the Wings didn’t put up much of a fight against the Avalanche. The 5-1 loss put their losing streak to 10 games. Coreau gave up all 5 goals in the loss. Justin Abdelkader added his 12th goal of the season.

Detroit would return back to Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday to a familiar face in Petr Mrazek and the Philadelphia Flyers. In a ‘refuse to lose’ mindset, the Wings would not go down quietly. Luke Glendening scored, Dylan Larkin recorded his first multi-goal game of the season with 2 and Evgeny Svechnikov scored his first career goal in regulation. No goals were scored in overtime, sending the game to a shootout. It was Frans Nielsen with the first round, game-winner, snapping the 10-game skid to put the Wings back in the win column.

The Wings will continue their home stand against Washington before heading up north for a Canadian road trip. Announcements will be made soon on our social media pages regarding the winner of the Luke Witkowski autographed photo and our FINAL #MyRedWings ‘Fans of the Week’ giveaway of the season!