In Red Wings Land

‘We’re fortunate’: Sam Gagner, Red Wings grateful to have had hockey season – Detroit News

“But at the end of the day, we’re playing hockey and we’ve enjoyed that part of it.”

Gagner seems like the kind of guy who you want to hire after his career is over. Also the kind of guy you look at his profile and realize he’s not yet 32 and holy shit I’m old now.

Around the League

NHL, Olympic star goaltender Ryan Miller retiring – ESPN

“I kinda thought this year would be my last year,” said Miller, in a tearful press conference on Thursday. “I wanted to take the time to appreciate everything about the game. It’s been a good year. I’ve been able to soak it in. It felt like this would be a good way to say goodbye. To enjoy the moment. Once you’re off and into the summer and doing something else, I didn’t know if it would be easy to say goodbye. This is going to help.”

I always thought it would be cool if the Wings could get Ryan Miller but it never came together like that. We got the cooler brother though.

NHL Power Rankings: Surprise of the Season edition – Sportsnet

The Anthony Mantha trade was a huge surprise, but seeing Jonathan Bernier stay put when No. 3 goalies were in demand was a head-scratcher. No one thinks of Bernier as a starter for a playoff team anymore, but he battled admirably in 2021 behind a team not at all set up to compete. His .912 save percentage climbed to its highest since Bernier arrived in Detroit and his goals saved above average is better than the likes of Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper, Anton Khudobin or either Penguins goalie.

Buffalo climbed above us in the power rankings.