A DHN Saturday story established that Derek Lalonde wants to make sure Ville Husso receives enough preseason playing time to shake off the rust. Even though Derek Lalonde wants to look at all of his goalies before deciding on a starter for the Detroit Red Wings opener, he will make sure Husso will play start to finish in at least one preseason game.

He hasn’t played a full game since December. Husso did play one game in February, but only lasted 8:48 minutes before injury forced him to leave.

These preseason games are important to the Red Wings because Lalonde has significant decisions to make about line combinations, goalie usage and which rookies will make the team. Everything matters when you are trying to land one of 16 playoff spots in a 32-team league.

“So it’s going to be a little bit of all of that,” Lalonde said. “We probably want to see some lines together, especially talking about how fluid it might be. We want to see some special teams together, but at the same time we want to give a really good luck and we want to see those young players. So there’s going to be all of that going on. It gets a little complicated…And obviously we want to play our young guys a lot.”

That approach starts at noon today when the Red Wings host the annual Red and White Intrasquad game at noon today. These are important opportunities for players like Marco Kasper or Nate Danielson to make their case to earn a spot on the roster.

Lucas Raymond on the mic! pic.twitter.com/MC1MJ1XLtn

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 21, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff believes this season’s top six forwards could deliver 165 goals this season with the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane playing a full season. That would be a 12-goal improvement over last season.

The Red Wings are looking to add toughness to the lineup and that could mean Austin Watson or Isaac Ratcliffe have a shot at making the team as a PTO.

Behind the Paywall: DHN explores defenseman Albert Johansson‘s potential to crack the Red Wings’ top six. He may have to battle his way into a playing spot even if he makes the roster. It’s a crowded field. To buy a yearly subscription to our paywall stories, click here.

Red Wings Extra

Now healthy enough to play, Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka scored his first goal in Skelleftea’s first Swedish Hockey League game this season. It was the only goal of the game for the injury-riddled Skellftea squad. Malmo was a 4-1 winner in the game

Did Axel Sandin-Pellikka score the his and Skellefteå's first goal of the season?

Of course he did!

Mr. Automatic from that spot.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/XgXxmFT11F

— Lars Thorsell (@LarsThorsell) September 21, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: The Blackhawks’ expectations for Lukas Reichel are extremely high. Chicago Blackhawks.

Montreal: The Canadiens have some complications to address before finalizing their roster. Montreal Canadiens.

New Jersey: James Nichols writes a paywall story on why Tomas Tatar will be even better in his second tour of duty with the Devils. He played for the Seattle Kraken last season. New Jersey Devils.

New York Islanders: A one- on-one interview with with Indiana native prospect Aidan Fulp, a defenseman, who is drawing attention in training camp. He’s a bruising defender. New York Islanders.

Pittsburgh: Jesse Puljujarvi netted a hat trick in first Penguins preseason game. Coach Mike Sullivan was impressed. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

The post The Daily: Why Preseason Is Important for Red Wings; Noon Scrimmage appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Olympic dreams of Detroit Red Wings prospect Marco Kasper came to a crashing halt on Friday morning. Kasper and Austria fell 2-1 to Kazakhstan in Group D of the Olympic quaifying tournament in Slovakia.

That outcome was dropping the Austrians to 0-2 in the four-team pool with one game to play. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, improved to 2-0.

Kasper, selected eighth overall by Detroit in the 2022 NHL entry draft, was held off the scoresheet by the Kazakhs. He was the scorer of Austria’s only goal in their 2-1 loss to Slovakia on Thursday.

Marco Kasper wins the faceoff gets to the net and tips home a GOAL for Austria #LGRW pic.twitter.com/tnpNaPSWGy

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) August 29, 2024

Meanwhile, in Group F action, Norway was setting up a Saturday showdown with hosts Denmark for the lone qualifying spot from Group F. The Norwegians, including Red Wings prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, dumped Great Britain 6-2. Brandsegg-Nygard, selected 15th overall by the Red Wings in the 2024 NHL entry draft, was a two-goal scorer in Norway’s opening win over Japan.

He was held without a point against the Brits. Brandsegg-Nygard registered two shots on goal and was assessed a high-sticking minor penalty.

Red Wings Pick Dower Nilsson On The Board

It was only a preseason game and an empty-net goal for that matter. Still, seeing Noah Dower Nilsson’s name on the scoresheet instead of the injury list has to offer some encouragement to Red Wings fans.

Noah Dower-Nilsson has had a solid game today and gets rewarded with an empty-net goal #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Qp9AvD5J6k

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) August 27, 2024

The player Detroit chose 73rd overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft was scoring an empty-net goal to clinch Frolunda’s 3-1 victory over HV 71 in SHL preseason play. Last season, the 19-year-old left-winger underwent separate surgeries to repair torn labrums in both his left and right shoulders. Those surgeries wound up limiting the Swedish teenager to a total of nine games all season.

“It has been tough,” Dower Nilsson told Goteborgs-Posten. He bulked up in the offseason, adding nearly 10 pounds of muscle to his six-foot frame. Dower Nilsson now tips the scales at 183 pounds.

His older brother Liam Dower Nilsson, also a Red Wings draft pick (134th overall, 2021), plays for Bjorkloven IF in the Allsvenskan, the Swedish second division.

Liv Makes SHL Debut

Herman Liv, the son of Red Wings draftee Stefan Liv, was also making news during the SHL preseason. Just recently turned 18, he made his first SHL appearance for Orebo in an SHL preseason game, tending goal for the same team as his late father.

Stefan Liv was Detroit’s 102nd overall selection in the 2000 NHL entry draft. He spent parts of the 2006-07 season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins (34 games) and ECHL Toledo Walleye (three games). The elder Liv was among those killed in the 2001 plane crash involving the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL club.

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The post It’s August and Marco Kasper Is Still a Hot Scorer (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Summer Olympics are barely over, but two Detroit Red Wings first-round picks are getting set to help their countries bid for a place in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Olympic hockey qualifying is set for August 29-September 1. Red Wings top picks center Marco Kasper (eighth overall, 2022) and right-wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15th overall, 2024) will both be participating.

Kasper will be suiting up for Austria in their qualifying tournament in Slovakia. Along with the Austrians and the host country, Hungary and Kazakhstan will also be bidding for the one available Olympic spot.

Meanwhile, Brandsegg-Nygard is going to be playing for Norway in their qualitying event at Denmark with the Danes, Japan and Great Britain. Again, one place in the Olympics is up for grabs.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Sandin Pellikka To Be At Red Wings Camp?

It’s already known that Brandsegg-Nygard will be attending training camp this fall with the Red Wings. Now, Swedish media site Norran.se is reporting that 2023 first-round pick Axel Sandin Pellikka will also be heading to Traverse City for Detroit’s camp.

Word via https://t.co/p0ADu4LvWs is ASP and MBN will both be at Red Wings camp in september.

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) August 15, 2024

The Swedish defenseman was chosen 17th overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft. Both players are projected to be teammates this season with reigning SHL champion Skelleftea. Each player is currently in training camp with Skelleftea.

Vrana Joining Capitals On PTO

Who says you can never go home again? Not Jakub Vrana. The former Red Wings forward will be attending the Washington Capitals training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO), the team was announcing on Thursday.

2018 Stanley Cup Champion, Jakub Vrana will be returning to the Capitals on a PTO. pic.twitter.com/heDxobydGn

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 15, 2024

It was in 2021 that the Red Wings were acquiring Vrana from Washington in a blockbuster deal. Anthony Mantha was the main cog moving from Detroit to the Capitals. Vrana was part of Washington’s 2017-18 Stanley Cup championship squad.

Soon To Be Former Red Wings Prospects

Three more players will become former Red Wings prospects if they aren’t offered an NHL contract by 5 p.m. ET today. Today is the deadline for NHL teams to be signing players they’ve drafted who are playing NCAA hockey and have completed their senior year.

That group is including three Detroit draftees – forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Sam Stange and defenseman Cooper Moore. Each of these players will be playing a fifth year of NCAA eligiblity in 2024-25 due to pandemic regulations.

Right-winger O’Reilly (98th overall, 2018) is transferring this year from Arizona State to Providence. Right-winger Stange (97th, 2020) is also transferring from Wisconsin to Nebraska-Omaha. Moore (128th, 2019) will be playing his fifth-year season with Quinnipiac. He transferred there after starting out with North Dakota.

Detroit Prospects Heading Outdoors

The Red Wings will be playing outdoors next season and so will a few of the team’s prospects. Detroit is meeting the Columbus Blue Jackets at the famous Ohio State Horsehoe in the NHL Stadium Series on March 1.

Meanwhile, both Michigan and Michigan State will be playing in outdoor games at Wrigley Field as part of the NHL’s Winter Classic.

Michigan, with right-winger Kienan Draper (187th, 2020), are playing Ohio State on January 3. The following day, Michigan State, with a roster including goalie Trey Augustine (41st, 2023) and center Red Savage (114th, 2021) are playing against Wisconsin.

However, it’s unlikely that Augustine will be participating in the outdoor game. He’ll be with USA Hockey at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. That event doesn’t reach a conclusion until January 5.

The post Red Wings Notebook: Top Picks Chase Olympic Dream appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

NHL.com rates Nate Danielson ahead of Marco Kasper in its ranking of the Detroit Red Wings’ prospects heading into the 2024-25 season.

Danielson was ranked No. 2 behind defenseman Simon Edvinsson on Nick Cotsonika’s list. Detroit Hockey Now didn’t rank Edvinsson on our prospect list because he was playing regularly in Detroit at the end of last season. He projects as a starter for 2024-25.

Cotsonika lists Kasper at No. 3 behind Edvinsson and Danielson. He has 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard at No. 4, followed by former collegiate standout Carter Mazur at No. 5

That differs significantly from the DHN list of Kasper at No. 1, defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka at No. 2, followed by Norwegian Brandsegg-Nygard at No. 3, Danielson at No. 4 and Mazur at No. 5.

Yzerman Won’t Rush Kasper or Danielson

The difference in the list speaks to the reality that Detroit has a collection of high-end prospects. It’s splitting hairs to rank them. We selected Kasper No. 1 based on how impressed the Red Wings were with how solidly he performed in the second half of last season and AHL playoffs. By the end of the season, he was playing like an impact player.

At the same time, Danielson has the offensive potential to earn the No. 2 center spot ahead of Kasper. Scouts also tell us that Brandsegg-Nygard has top six potential. We have Sandin Pellikka rated highly because he enjoyed one of the best seasons ever in the Swedish Hockey League by a teenage defenseman. Defensemen with slick puck-moving skills are hard to find.

Another interesting aspect of Cotsonika’s story is he has Kasper, Danielson and Mazur coming to Detroit in 2025-26. That fits into the Steve Yzerman’s plan that youngsters should not be promoted before they are completely ready. However, it is also plausible that Kasper, and maybe Danielson and Mazur could earn a promotion this season. That could happen if they play well in Grand Rapids and Detroit is beset by injuries.

The post NHL.com Rates Nate Danielson as Red Wings Top Young Forward appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

If you are a Detroit Red Wings fan suffering from rebuild fatigure, this story isn’t for you. We respect those of you who prefer to think about where the team is in terms of the NHL playoffs. Eight years out of the playoffs is too long.

But our recent ranking of Detroit’s prospects, made us think how close we are to knowing what this Yzerman-built team will look like. In case you missed it, we ranked our Top 15 Red Wings prospects last week. It was a paywall story. We didn’t rank Simon Edvinsson, Jonatan Berggren (drafted by Ken Holland) and Albert Johansson because all three are likely to make the roster this season. Berggren and Johansson are no longer waiver-exempt, meaning the have to clear waivers to be sent to Grand Rapids. Yzerman has said he doesn’t believe they would clear waivers.

Our top six prospects included 1. Marco Kasper, 2. Axel Sandin Pellikka, 3. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, 4. Nate Danielson, 5. Carter Mazur and 6. Sebastian Cossa. Kasper, Brandsegg-Nygard and Danielson project to be top six forwards, and Sandin Pellikka will be a Sergi Zubov-type high scoring defenseman. Mazur can be a poor man’s version of Tyler Bertuzzi. In other words, he’s a scrappy competitor with scoring ability. At 6-foot-6, Cossa has the goalie size every GM covets. He will be the Grand Rapids’ Griffins’ No. 1 goalie this season and then, if all goes well, he will be competing for a roster spot in 2025-26.

COOOOSSSSSAAAAA

Sebastian Cossa set a new franchise record with a 19-game point streak from Jan. 19-April 5 (13-0-6), beating out Marc Lamothe’s 15-game run from Oct. 19-Nov. 30, 2002 #GoGRG

SEASON REVIEW >> https://t.co/mIrHO7xZZf pic.twitter.com/SRDwd7PY50

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) July 11, 2024

All six of those players should be, or could be, playing in Detroit by 2025-26. We also think defenseman William Wallinder could get a shot by 2025-26. Six-foot-five Finnish D man Antti Tuomisto could also be knocking at the door.

If you add up those players, the Red Wings will have at least four Yzerman draft picks (including Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond) on the roster this season, and it could be five or six. By 2025-26, at least half of Detroit’s roster will be players drafted by Yzerman’s regime.  The rebuild isn’t over, but we will have a good idea of what kind of talent Yzerman has assembled.

If you want to subscribe to read this story, click here. If you want to receive a $10 discount on a subscription, use the promo code kevin10. Thank you for supporting Detroit Hockey Now.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

A former Red Wings prospect and a current prospect faced off at the World Junior Summer Showcase. It was an interesting moment for Andrew Gibson. 

Jiri Fischer’s son, Lukas, is drawing attention as a St. Louis Blues prospect. Jiri still works for Detroit as a scout.

Prospect John Whipple projects to be a heavy hitter for GM Steve Yzerman’s team up the road. He likes that role.

Red Wings Offseason

It’s 68 days until the Red Wings season opener. Will GM Steve Yzerman work out deals with Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond before then? Detroit’s training camp hasn’t been announced, but it is roughly 47 or 48 days away.

Hockey Now Network

Buffalo: Jason Moser looks at whether Tage Thompson will have a bounce-back season in 2024-25. Buffalo Sabres

Montreal: Marc Dumont’s Habs prospect ratings enters the top 10

Philadelphia: Flyers forward Denis Gurianov has signed a two-year deal to play in the Kontinental Hockey League. Philadelphia Flyers.

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The post Ranking Red Wings Prospects: The Forwards (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Early scouting reports on Grand Rapids Griffins center Marco Kasper indicated it was unclear whether he’d ever be a prolific scorer. However, he definitely showed the grit and determination to create offense at critical times.

Kasper’s big game mentality was evident Wednesday when he netted an important third period goal and finished with three points in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ 4-2 road win against the Milwaukee Admirals in Game 1 of the best-of-five Central Division Final. Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Milwaukee.

“He’s a competitor,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “He’s got young legs. He has a lot of energy.”

The 2022 Detroit Red Wings first round pick scored his third goal of the postseason at 9:57 of the third period to break a 2-2 tie. Kasper added his second assist on Joel L’Esperance’s empty net insurance goal with 24 seconds left in regulation. Kasper had also assisted on Zach Aston-Reese’s second period goal. He has five points in his first five AHL playoff games.

Marco Kasper from a tight angle! Wow! 3-2! #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/aTzvUWFs4F

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 16, 2024

The Griffins showed plenty of extra effort in this game, particularly with blocking shots. “It was a hard game,” Watson said.

“There is stuff to get better at, but all and all, it was a good road game,” Kasper said.

Cossa Sharp

Sebastian Cossa, meanwhile, stopped 25 of 27 shots to raise his record to 4-1 and lower his postseason GAA to 2.70. He has given up two goals in three of his five starts.

Carter Mazur scored a first period goal for the Griffins to give them a 1-0 lead. But Nashville Predators prize prospect Zach L’Heureux scored his sixth goal of the postseason to tie game at 15:36 of the period. Jonatan Berggren assisted on Mazur’s goal for his sixth point of the playoffs.

Defenseman Albert Johansson, expected to make the Red Wings’ squad next fall, also had an assist in the contest.

The post Red Wings First Rounder Rises Up For Griffins in Game 1 appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Okay, to celebrate the return of Elmer Soderblom to the lineup of the Grand Rapids Griffins, let’s get all of the big puns out of the way.

Yes, he was looming large. Certainly, he was an imposing presence. And of course, Soderblom came up big.

What else would you be expecting from the 6-foot-8, 255-pound Detroit Red Wings prospect?

Coming back into action following a battle with illness, Soderblom would net a goal as the Griffins were posting a 4-3 overtime victory over the Rockford IceHogs in Game 3 of their AHL Calder Cup playoff series. The Griffins are leading the best-of-five set 2-1.

He's so back. pic.twitter.com/dTD9rmidA8

— x – Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 4, 2024

Hey, even Soderblom’s Griffins teammates were delighted get in on the puns.

“Yeah, obviously it’s huge,” forward Marco Kasper said. “He’s a huge presence. I mean, 6-8.

“But huge goal from him. Played a great game.”

Griffins Soderblom Deals With Ups And Downs

The illness that struck him down and out of the lineup was the latest twist and turn in the Soderblom saga since the player chosen 159th overall in the 2019 NHL entry draft was arriving in Detroit at the start of last season.

Soderblom won a spot with the Red Wings out of training camp. The 22-year-old Swede would be spending the first half of the season playing in the NHL Sent to Grand Rapids in midseason, that’s where he’s toiled ever since.

To say it’s gone swimmingly for him would be a tall tale. There’s been some big swings in momentum where Soderblom’s career path is concerned.

#IAvsGR | What a shift from Amadeus Lombardi. Some beautiful passing and Elmer Soderblom with the patience and finish. Just like that the Griffins take the lead! pic.twitter.com/5NsjB94Gui

— Andrew Rinaldi (@GR_Rinaldi_) March 2, 2024

“It’s been challenging,” Soderblom readily admits. “It’s a lot different game compared to overseas. So I’m learning every single day in every game, I think, and it’s a process, but I feel like I’m taking steps all the time.

“So, yeah, I’m just looking forward to getting even better and show my game and show what I can do.”

At times, the ebbs and flows in the process of his development as a player have gotten the better of Soderblom’s psyche.

“Of course, sometimes it’s frustrating,” Soderblom said. “You feel like you can do more and you feel like you can play better and stuff like that. But I think you just have to be patient and stick with your plan and your goals.

“Just keep changing your goals and just improving every day.”

Strong Second Half In Grand Rapids

Soderblom appeared to b truly be finding his game durng the second half of the current AHL campaign. Eight of his 13 goals came over his last 22 regular-season games. Including his goal Friday, he has a tally in six of the past 13 games.

“I feel like I’m kind of taking in different stuff all the time, learning,” Soderblom said. “Learn different things and just the overall game, you know, being in the right spot and use my game and my style to my advantage.

“I think I’m just kind of learning as the process goes on and just play with my style as much as I can.”

One of those items he’s checking off his agenda is discovering how to best use his massive frame to his advantage.

“Exactly,” Soderblom said. “I think a lot of it’s just learning find a game that fits for you and bringing something special and different to the team. So I feel like I’m getting better, better and closer to that.”

Healthy and back in action, the step in Soderblom’s evolution is to become a physcial presence for the Griffins during the AHL postseason.

“I tried to bring my game,” he said of his AHL postseason debut. “I try to play physical and just use my size as much as possible.

“With the games that come up, I think I’m going to grow into that game more and more here.”

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The post Marco Kasper Takes Development Leap in Griffins Streak (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.