Notebook: Edvinsson ‘Really Good’ in Return to Red Wings

Even when Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde hands out good grades, he usually offers a more comprehensive critique in the margins.

That’s just how he delivers his messages.

The bottom line was he thought Simon Edvinsson was “really good.

“For him to come in like that, play in the top four, he did a really good job,” Lalonde added.

Edvinsson, replacing the injured Jake Walman, played 18:36. He was minus-1. Edvinsson had two blocked shot, plus a hit.

Lalonde had another comment about Edvinsson:  “You can see that poise which makes him so special can get him in trouble, too.  And he did that a couple of times. Coming back into our zone, ended up turning it over. Even in the third, I’m like, ‘(Johnny) Gaudreau’s gonna pick your pocket.’ Everyone saw it and felt the same way. And he almost did. If it wasn’t for him being 6-foot-7, or whatever he is. He probably would have.”

Reimer Encore?

Lalonde didn’t commit to a goalie for Thursday’s important game against the New York Islanders. But James Reimer probably deserves the start. He was far from perfect, but he made 32 saves, including some big ones, in Detroit’s 4-3 OT win. He has won his last two starts, stopping 57 of 61 shots (.934).

“Battling,” Lalonde said. “For sure. He had big save after big save. Again, I just wish that . . . I think he wants that third goal back.”

Reimer gave the Red Wings the chance to come back.

“We’re pushing, we’re pushing, we’ve got Grade A’s, we hit the post, it’s on the goal line a couple of times.” Lalonde said. “And then they have a breakaway. That was a huge save. Even the guys referenced that when we went back in the room, that save.”

Prospect Signing

The Red Wings signed Colgate 6-foot-5 goaltender Carter Gylander to a two-year, two-way entry level contract for $855,000 per season. That includes an $80,000 per season signing bonus. His minor league salary will be $70,000. That contract starts next season. But the Grand Rapids Griffins also signed Gylander to an amateur tryout offer to allow him to play the rest of this season.

A 2019 seventh round pick, Gylander posted a goals-against average below 3.00 and save percentage above .900 in all four seasons at Colgate. His college career GAA is 2.69 and his career save percentage is .907. In 2023, he led Colgate to its first conference title in 33 years.

The Gylander signing adds to Detroit’s goaltending depth. Sebastian Cossa is the top prospect in Grand Rapids. Veteran Michael Hutchinson, the other Griffins’ goalie, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Toledo Walleye goalie John Lethemon, also on a Detroit contract, will also be an unrestricted free agent. Jan Bednar, the other Walleye goalie, is on a Griffins’ contract.  Trey Augustine, another top prospect, is finishing up his freshman season at Michigan State.