In Red Wings Land

‘I’m good enough to play in the NHL’: Evgeny Svechnikov determined to realize Red Wings dream – The Detroit News

We know the context by now and the bad injury luck, but it’s put up or shut up time for Svechnikov.

Next season, Svechnikov, 23, is no longer exempt from waivers, so he’ll either start the season with the Red Wings — or be exposed on waivers and risk being lost to another team for nothing in return.

I like that he’s spending a lot of time with his brother Andrei in Carolina. This should give him plenty of motivation to try and improve near the level of his younger brother.

Red Wings’ Abdelkader, family feed health care workers – WOODTV

An occasional reminder that the general dislike for Abby is borne of frustration that his hockey playing isn’t as good as his good-deeding in Michigan.

“The front line workers, the doctors, nurses, those on the front lines are sacrificing every day their health and they’re working maximum hours. And they are the true heroes during this time, so we hoped to uplift their spirits and show support and let them know we’re thinking of them,” Abdelkader said.

Him and his wife supplied food for about 1,200 workers.

Trick shots with @tylerbertuzzi and his pup Aspen. 🙌⛳️ #TogetherDetroit pic.twitter.com/8WkCvF5VN2

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 20, 2020

Around the League

Gretzky rooting for Ovechkin to break all-time goals record – Sportnet

You don’t figure Gretzky would be foolish enough to publicly root against Ovechkin for the sake of his own legacy even if you did believe that’s how he truly feels, but man things would be more exciting if that milquetoast old mitt would have said that instead of this:

“I can’t help but cheer and root for him each and every day,” Gretzky said. “I hope I’m the first guy who’s able to shake his hand when he does break my record.”