Dodged a Bullet
Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin back at practice, confident he’ll play Saturday | Freep
He skated regularly during Thursday’s practice while wearing the orange “non-contact” jersey. The Wings will practice once more at Little Caesars Arena before heading to Nashville for Saturday’s season opener (8 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). They’ll face Dallas in the home opener on Sunday.
”The orange jersey is just precautionary,” Larkin said. “Tomorrow I don’t know what color jersey I’ll be wearing but I’ll be in the game for sure Saturday. There’s nothing to hold me back.”
This is great news for the Red Wings, Dylan Larkin and us fans. Our season is saved.
Another Q&A
Five Key Questions Red Wings Will Answer This Season | 97.1 The Ticket
1. Does Yzerman Keep Blashill?
Yes, at least for this season.
2. Can Larkin Be A Superstar?
An all-star? Yeah, he’s already there. Will he ever reach Hart Trophy nominee-type levels? No, I don’t think so.
3. Will Zadina Arrive?
Filip Zadina will eventually arrive in Detroit for a bunch of games this season. However, I’m not sure he will arrive.
4. Will Mantha, Athanasiou Stay?
Yes, neither Anthony Mantha or Andreas Athanasiou will be traded unless someone makes a ridiculous offer.
5. How Good Is Hronek?
Filip Hronek is pretty good. I would be surprised if he didn’t lead the Wings’ defensemen in points.
The Steve Yzerman Section
Yzerman rules: Wings GM applies lessons from 14-year Cup drought | Detroit News
According to more than a dozen ex-teammates, front-office personnel and media members contacted by The Detroit News, the hard lessons Yzerman endured on and off the ice during the Stanley Cup drought from 1983-97 helped prepare the Red Wings’ first-year general manager for the long and painful rebuild, which continues Saturday when Detroit opens the season in Nashville.
This is worth your time to read.
Ex-NHL referee: Steve Yzerman was ‘disrespectful’ | Detroit News
Shanahan remembers Yzerman’s reaction when an official offered to buy them a round of drinks at a restaurant the day after ejecting Yzerman in the third period of a game in Nashville in 2003.
”Steve told the guy to (expletive) off … and he (Yzerman) walked out of the restaurant,” Shanahan said.
This ref is a jabroni.
Retire #91
Niyo: Fedorov ‘at peace’ with Wings, says Yzerman is ‘back where he belongs’ | Detroit News
And for now, he’s watching from afar. But with Yzerman returning to run the hockey operation in Detroit, and so many other familiar faces on the staff – Kris Draper, Pat Verbeek, Jiri Fischer, even Mark Howe – it’s only natural to wonder if Fedorov might someday join them.
“It’s a great question I can only fantasize about,” Fedorov said. “You never know – that’s the first answer.”
Bring him home, Stevie (and retire his damn number!).
Around the League
NHL season preview: Hot takes and bold predictions of every variety heading into the 2019-2020 campaign | CBS Sports
Connor McDavid asks the Oilers for a trade after this season:
Ken Holland can trade him to Detroit.
