Red Wings Rumblings
Hopefully the dust has settled among Red Wings fans after Steve Yzerman and Todd McLellan’s season-ending press conference earlier this week. You know my rule — no fan policing. If you’re pissed off and seeing red (not in a good way), I understand. I’ll remind you that it’s going to be a long offseason with a lot on the table.
Max Bultman recently had an article published where he looked at who would be returning next year, and who may not be back. All of the names you would expect are listed as “Not going anywhere” — that’s Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Alex DeBrincat, Simon Edvinsson, etc. Because of recent comments, Dylan Larkin is listed as “Likely back” by Bultman. I get it, but unless shit has really hit the fan behind the scenes (I don’t think it has), Larkin WILL be back next season. Bultman did point out Larkin’s NTC, which means the Red Wings captain will have the final say if he wants to stay or go. I don’t think Yzerman wants to trade him, and I don’t think Larkin wants to be traded.
Another name to watch is Patrick Kane. Steve Yzerman expressed that there is mutual interest in PK88 returning to the Red Wings next season. I would guess that deal will be priority in the offseason, if it isn’t already. Another name on Bultman listed as “Probably back” is Michael Rasmussen. I love Ras, but I do wonder what his market would be if he were on the trade block. Teams love players like him — a center with size. If there is interest, it’s worth exploring. Maybe you could get a nice prospect or pick out of it, or perhaps a one-for-one and bring in some veteran depth. Players like Justin Holl, Jonatan Berggren, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jeff Petry, Craig Smith, Tyler Motte, and Alex Lyon are all names I would expect could be on the way out, though perhaps not Tarasenko. I think Yzerman is willing to let him play out next season and see if he can shoehorn his way into a trade deadline deal.
Meanwhile, the Griffins are off until Monday for game two of the Calder Cup Division Semifinals. Game one was… well, really bad. The Griffins got their asses handed to them by Texas 4-0. Sebastian Cossa was pulled after letting up the four goals on 19 shots. Jack Campbell finished the night with a clean sheet, thankfully. This is a best-of-five series, so the margin of error is razor thin for Grand Rapids. They need to win game two before the series swings to Texas. Not gonna be easy!!!
Some quick bits of news before we say goodbye today:
Val Filppula has retired from hockey. He’ll always hold a special little spot in my heart as a Red Wings fan. I think a lot of people forgot just how good of a player he was in his younger years. Massively underrated.
Finally, Mike Vernon and Chris Chelios are on this year’s Michigan Sports Hall of Fame ballot. Vote for them here.
