In Red Wings Land
Wheeler’s 2020 NHL prospect pool rankings: No. 9 Detroit Red Wings | The Athletic ($)
1. Moritz Seider, RHD, 18 (Grand Rapids Griffins)
Despite lacking the dynamic qualities you normally see in a top-10 pick, Seider keeps demonstrating why he may not have been a reach after all. There’s something to be said for a poised, never cheat approach to the game, especially when it’s combined with 6-foot-4 length that can skate at an NHL level. Seider was outstanding at the world juniors and nearly worked his way onto my all-star ballot despite playing for a relegation team. He has been outstanding for his age in the AHL, too, regularly logging huge minutes as a teenager….
Lots of love for Seider in this one and it’s well deserved in my opinion. He’s already surpassed my expectations for him in his first year in the AHL and his future with the Red Wings is bright as hell.
Rounding out the top five behind Seider: Joe Veleno, Michael Rasmussen, Jonatan Berggren and Jared McIssac.
Fun & Games
Not sure what Veleno is thinking here. His strategy is terrible!
Joe vs. Mo.
Who can stack cups quicker? 😂 pic.twitter.com/nA71WGxh27
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 4, 2020
Date Night
Looking for an experience to give as a gift this #ValentinesDay?
How about tickets to the Detroit Red Wings Alumni Association game on Saturday, February 15th. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. in Howell.
Proceeds to benefit the Grand River Hockey Associationand the @JDanielsFund pic.twitter.com/RhHT3iqeK6
— Official Detroit Red Wings Alumni (@DRWAlumni) February 4, 2020
Around the League
NHL rookie rankings: Quinn Hughes’ Calder Trophy case continues to gain steam | ESPN
Filip Zadina didn’t make the top 10 here, but he’s on the “Watch List.”
… There was a lot of concern about where things were going when he didn’t make the team out of camp, but he increased his production in the AHL, where he struggled at times last season. The Red Wings are in a dire situation right now, but Zadina still can be a substantial building block and has proved that with his play so far.
TradeCentre: Six potential goalie targets for Leafs | TSN
Jonathan Bernier, Detroit
Scoop: Reacquiring Bernier, 31, might not be a big hit in the Toronto market. He’s been there once already and didn’t get the job done. His cap hit ($3 million) is also more than the Leafs can afford. Plus, it’s the term (one year left) that is most crippling, meaning Toronto must be sure he’s the guy they want in their tandem next year, too. But Bernier is quietly having a very solid year (.908) on a Detroit team that will end up being one of the worst in the salary cap era.
I would imagine the Wings would have to retain part of Bernier’s cap hit in any trade with the Maple Leafs, but I doubt that would be a major issue for Steve Yzerman depending on what Toronto is sending back.
