Quick Hits: The Buried in the Snow Edition
In Red Wings Land
Detroit Red Wings fall to Islanders, 4-1, for 10th straight loss | Freep
Filip Zadina assisting on Dylan Larkin’s goal was the fun part of this one. The Red Wings’ losing streak hitting double digits... not so fun.
On the bright side (if there is one), the Wings remain buried in the snow at the bottom of the NHL standings with the best odds to land the top pick in June ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Draft Lottery
2020 NHL Entry Draft Top 125: Alexis Lafrenière, Quinton Byfield continue to lead the pack | Sporting News
Leading the way is Lafrenière, a franchise winger who is not only averaging well over two points per game in the QMJHL but is also poised to be the first draft prospect since John Tavares and Sidney Crosby to win consecutive CHL Player of the Year honors before being drafted. At first, it looked like a hulking center like Byfield of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves would give Lafrenière a run for the top spot; he too was averaging close to two points per game until falling back down to earth in November. For now, it looks like the top spot is Lafrenière’s to lose regardless of what happens at the world junior championship in late December.
Speaking of the top pick... this is solid look at the names we need to know for next year’s NHL draft.
‘Tis the Season
Who’s the better bowler: Moritz Seider or Joe Hicketts?
ICYMI
Franzen slams Babcock: ‘The worst person I have ever met’ | WIIM
Johan Franzen is the latest NHL player to speak out about his experiences with former head coach Mike Babcock.
In a scathing interview with Swedish media outlet Expressen, the former Red Wing forward accused Babcock of being a “bully,” who was “attacking people.” Franzen said in the interview that from 2011 on, he was terrified of being at the rink. This, unfortunately, isn’t the most recent allegations of this conduct from Mike Babcock.
This is awful.
Around the League
‘Hawks assistant coach Crawford to go on leave | TSN
The Blackhawks didn’t provide any details Monday about what they are examining, but former NHL forward Sean Avery recently told the New York Post that Crawford kicked him after he was whistled for a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty when he played for Crawford with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006-07 season.
Let’s get this out of the sport for good, please.