In Red Wings Land

Griffins Foundation aims to help minorities play hockey | Wood TV

Timed to coincide with the beginning of Black History Month, participants on Monday met Givani Smith, the only black player for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

”It’s really important,” Smith told 24 Hour News 8 at the event. “They’re having fun. They’re experiencing ice hockey, which many kids don’t get the chance to.”

”Seeing someone that … just letting us know that we can play, too,” Lavonta Crump, one of the black students participating in the program, said, explaining why he enjoyed meeting Smith and getting to ask him questions.

I love seeing this. I’m glad the Griffins and Smith are taking the time to give kids the opportunity to learn and play the game of hockey.

Around the League

31 Thoughts: Auston Matthews extension a game changer for NHL | Sportsnet

Auston Matthews got an extension worth a lot of money. Good for him. But what about the Red Wings?

16. Five Red Wings — Nicklas Lidstrom, Alex Delvecchio, Steve Yzerman, Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom — played 1,000 games for that franchise and no one else. Niklas Kronwall is 76 games from becoming number six. Don’t think they are unaware of that. The organization has great respect for Kronwall, which is why Holland will not trade him unless the defenceman asks for the opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup or they get an offer they absolutely must consider.

I don’t disagree with this thought. Unless he wants to leave or someone foolishly offers a 1st round pick, the Wings should just keep Kronwall.

Elliotte Friedman has two additional thoughts on Detroit too. One is pretty much the same stuff we’ve know about Nick Jensen and Jimmy Howard maybe being traded or maybe being re-signed.

The other? Friedman mentions there could possibly be a new contract for Jeff Blashill to remain behind the Red Wings’ bench.