No contract yet for Red Wings No. 1 defenseman Moritz Seider. But Lucas Raymond signed for eight years.  Some promising youngsters are looking for jobs. Plenty of enthusiasm from veterans who went to see their team get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

But as the Red Wings open training camp today in Traverse City for the 2024-25 season, there are still more questions than answers. Which of the four goalies with NHL experience will emerge as the team’s primary netminder? Can this team score enough goals after losing 75 goals in offseason departures?

Is Simon Edvinsson ready to be a regular on the Detroit defense? Are the Red Wings committed to transforming themselves into a top 10 defensive team?

That’s probably going to be necessary to qualify for the playoffs in the improving Eastern Conference.

“I want to see progress in our team as a whole, progress in all the areas we’ve always talked about and progress individually from our younger players,” GM Steve Yzerman said. “As long as we’re moving in the right direction… Obviously, making the playoffs would be another positive step, so I’ll worry about that as the season goes along. We’ll see how much progress we’re making.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Paywall story: Bob Duff writes about the five factors that make Michael Brandsegg-Nygard an intriguing Red Wings prospect at forward.  To subscribe, click here.

Forward Alex Chiasson comes to Detroit training camp on a PTO agreement. The Red Wings appreciated his abilities when he played for them previously.

GM Steve Yzerman says the future of the annual NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City is “up in the air.” The Red Wings and Dallas Stars were the only two participants this season.

Red Wings Offseason

In the summer of 2023, GM Steve Yzerman made it one of his objectives to improve the organization’s goaltending depth top to bottom. That’s the simplest explanation to explain why the Red Wings have nine goaltenders in training camp. Jack Campbell,  Ville Husson, Alex Lyon and Cam Talbot all have NHL experience, while Sebastian Cossa and Carter Gylander are primary prospects. Gage Alexander was a 22-year-old prospect acquired from Anaheim. Jan Bednar is a Red Wings’ draft pick expected to play for Toledo this season. Landon Miller is an Ontario Hockey League goalie drafted in the fourth round last June.  All of these goalies, with the exception of Lyon, are 6-foot-3 or taller. The training camp roster doesn’t roster doesn’t include Trey Augustine, the Michigan State sophomore, who is one of the organization’s Top 10 prospects.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: GM Don Sweeney calls “BS” on false rumors about his negotiations with goalie Jeremy Swayman. Boston Bruins

Colorado: CHN looks at three training camp battles worth your time to follow. Colorado Avalanche.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey offers his thoughts on possible trade destinations for Alexei Kolosov. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Defenseman Erik Karlsson is listed as “day to day” on the first day of Penguins’ training camp. Pittsburgh Penguins.

The post The Daily: Red Wings Back in Bussiness –Training Camp Opens!; Chiasson Update appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The annual NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan has a long history of showcasing future NHL impact performers. Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill has brought more than his fair share of those future stars to the tournament through the years.

Nate Robertson. Roope Hintz. Miro Heiskanen. Thomas Harley. Wyatt Johnston. Logan Stankoven. Those are just some of his draft choices who have played in Traverse City in the 12 years he has been the Dallas GM.

The tournament, once the NHL’s top preseason prospect showcase, now is down to just the Stars and Detroit Red Wings. They will play a two-game series Saturday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (2:30). But Nill, a former Red Wings executive, is still bringing rosters highlighted by blue chip prospects.

The Stars roster includes includes right wing Emil Hemming (29th, 2024), defenseman Tristan Bertucci (59th, 2023) and defensemen Lian Buchel (18th, 2022) and Christian Kyrou (50th, 2022). The Stars’ complete roster:

When Nill left the Red Wings management team to join the Dallas Stars, he hired away Joe McDonnell and Mark Leach from the Red Wings to head up his staff. The Dallas drafting has been impressive since their arrival.

McDonnell is the Dallas director of scouting and Leach is now the Toronto director of scouting.

The Red Wings are countering with right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15th, 2024), center Nate Danielson (ninth, 2023), defenseman Shai Buium (36th, 2021) and left wing Jakub Rychlovsky. (Free agent signee, Czech Extraliga).

Brandsegg-Nygard On Fast Track

There’s been a buzz about Brandsegg-Nygard because he  was just drafted three months ago, and the Red Wings wanted him to come to  training camp. More often than not, the Red Wings let European players stay in Europe because their leagues start earlier.

Axel Sandin Pellikka and Brandsegg-Nygard both play for Skelleftea in the Swedish Hockey League, and Sandin Pellikka is not coming for training camp. Of course, Sandin Pellikka is a smallish, dynamic puck-moving defenseman, and Brandsegg-Nygard is a strong winger.

It all starts September 14th!

» https://t.co/0fLo0qPVHP pic.twitter.com/HCO4SGB3Er

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 3, 2024

Rychlovsky is another intriguing player because he led the Czech league with 26 goals last season.

Danielson projects to play this season in Grand Rapids, but he is one of the prospects who could make the team with a memorable preseason. It seems likely coach Derek Lalonde will play Danielson and Marco Kasper often when the Red Wings start playing preseason game. Kasper will not be at the NHL prospect tournament.

Sebastian Cossa will not be at this tournament, but Carter Gylander will be. He’s probably third in line behind Cossa and Augustine among Detroit goalie prospects.

One goalie to watch: Gage Alexander. The Red Wings picked him up from the Anaheim Ducks in the Robby Fabbri trade. He’s 6-foot-6, and he’s only 22 years old. This will give the coaching staff to see what they have in this young prospect.

The post Jim Nill’s Dallas Rookies Will Test Red Wings in TC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

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The post Who to Watch in Red Wings Rookie Games vs. Dallas Stars (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The 25th edition of the Detroit Red Wings-hosted NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City doesn’t much look like the ones that came before this one.

It wasn’t that long ago that the tournament boasted an eight-team field. This year, the event consists of the Red Wings prospects playing the Dallas Stars prospects in a two-game series. The game will be played on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at Centre Ice Arena.

Last season, the tournament included the Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets. Teams have been pulling out to play in other tournaments.

This has been a prestigious prospect tournament. The Red Wings’ research shows 772 prospects who played at least one NHL game. That includes 13 players who were on Detroit’s roster last season: Jonatan Berggren, Ben Chiarot (Atlanta), Alex DeBrincat (Chicago), Simon Edvinsson, Robby Fabbri (St. Louis), Ville Husso (St. Louis), Klim Kostin (St. Louis), Dylan Larkin, Michael Rasmussen, Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and Jake Walman (St. Louis).

This year’s rosters have not been announced, but we can assume Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Shai Buium will be among the Detroit prospects.

The post Red Wings Prospect Games Sept. 14-15 in Traverse City appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Toronto Maple Leafs finalized their roster for this week’s NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City on Tuesday.

Fourteen of the 26 players, including 2023 top pick Easton Cowan, were drafted by the Leafs. They are coached by Toronto Marlies boss John Gruden.

They will join prospects from the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Red Wings in games starting Thursday and running through Sunday.

The Maple Leafs roster has a Michigan flavor. Max Ellis (Plymouth) and defenseman Tommy Miller (West Bloomfield) are Michigan natives. Forward Robert Mastrosimone,  second-round pick by the Red Wings in 2019, also is on Toronto’s roster. Toronto’s top prospect, Matthew Knies, will play in Traverse City.

The Maple Leafs play their first game Thursday against Columbus at 3:30 p.m. They play the Red Wings Sunday at 2 p.m.

Maple Leafs roster

Here is the Toronto squad, with player, 2022-23 team(s), and how acquired by the Maple Leafs. Players noted as drafted by other teams were signed as free agents.

Forwards — Easton Cowan (London (OHL), 2023 first round); Max Ellis (T0ronto (AHL), free agent);  Jacob Frasca (Barrie (AHL), free agent);  Tyson Greenway (Tri-City (WHL), free agent); Roni Hirvonen (HIFK (Liiga) ,v 2020 second round);  Matthew Knies (Minnesota (Big Ten)/Toronto (NHL), 2021 second round); Braedan Kressler (Flint (OHL), free agent); Brandon Lisowsky (Saskatoon (WHL), 2022 seventh round); Robert Mastrosimone (Arizona State, 2019 Detroit second round); Fraser Minten (Kamloops (WHL), 2022 second round); Dmitry Ovchinnikov (Sibir Niovosibirek (KHL)/Toronto (AHL), 2020 fifth round); Ryan Tverberg (Connecticut (Hockey East)/Toronto (AHL), 2010 seventh round); Ty Voit (Sarnia (OHL), 2021 fifth round); Tyler Weiss (Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC), 2018 Colorado fourth round).

Defensemen — Noah Chadwick (Lethbridge (WHL), 2023 sixth round); Nolan Dillingham (Sarnia (OHL), free agent); Mikko Kokkonen (Newfoundland/Toronto (AHL), 2019 third round); Mazden Leslie (Vancouver (WHL), free agent); Tommy Miller (Newfoundland/Toronto (AHL), free agent); Topi Niemela (Karpat (Liiga)/Toronto (AHL), 2023 third round);  Spencer Sova (Erie (OHL), free agent); Jonny Tychonick (Nebraska-Omaha/Toronto (AHL), 2018 Ottawa second round); William Villaneuve (Toronto (AHL), 2020 fourth round).

Goalies— Luke Cavallin (Newfoundland (ECHl0,v free agent); Dennis Hildeby (Farjestad BK (SHL)/Toronto (AHL); 2022 fourth round); Vyacheslav Pekur (Bars Kazan (VIL)/Irbis Kazan (MHL), 2021 sixth round).

The post Mastrosimone on Toronto’s Roster for Rookie Tournament in TC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Red Wings fans will get a glimpse of their team’s future beginning Wednesday in Traverse City. Detroit plays the Dallas Stars Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The Red Wings’ social media channels will live-stream the games.

The rosters for three of the four teams participating in this week’s prospects tournament have been announced. Dallas, Columbus  and Toronto prospects will compete against the Red Wings in three games.

Toronto, as of Monday night, has yet to announce which players will be spending the weekend looking to make a lasting impression.

The Blue Jackets will send their last four first-round picks to Traverse City, where they are competing for the 21st year.

Dallas is sending three former first-rounders to Traverse City. Lian Bischel, Dallas’ top pick in 2022, will make his North American debut after signing with Dallas over the summer. Another, Logan Stankoven, is considered a candidate to make the Stars out of training camp. Michigan native — forward Antonio Stranges (Plymouth) also is on the Dallas roster,

Red Wings prospects to watch include Carter Mazur, Elmer Soderholm and Amadeus Lombardi, all of whom hope to build on  impressive 2022-23  seasons.

Here are the rosters, with player, 2022-23 team(s), and how acquired:

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards — Nate Danielson (Brandon (WHL) 2023 first round); Alexandre Doucet (Val-d’Or/Halifax (QJMHL), free agent); Emmitt Finnie (Kamloops (WHL), 2023 seventh round);  Cross Hanas (Grand Rapids, 2020 second round); Marci Kasper (Rogie, SHL/Detroit), 2022 first round);  Amadeus Lombardi (Flint, OHL/Grand Rapids, 2022 fourth round); Dean Loukas (Saginaw, (OHL), free agent invitee); Tnias Mathurin (North Bay (OHL), 2022 fifth round); Carter Mazur (University of Denver (NCHC)/Grand Rapids, 2021 third round); Matyas Melovsky (Baie-Com0 (QMJHL), free agent invitee); Riley Sawchuk (Mount Royal (CUWAA), AHL contract); Nic Sema (North Bay/Saginaw (OHL), free agent invitee); Elmer Soderholm (Detroit/Grand Rapids, 2019 sixth round); Jake Uberti (Mississauga/Acadie-Bathurst (OHL/QJMHL), free agent signee).

Defensemen — Andrew Gibson (Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 2023 second round); Antti Tuomisto (Assat, (Liiga), 2019 second round); William Wallinder (Rogle (SHL)/Grand Rapids, 2020 second round); Connort Punnett (Barrie (OHL), free agent); Finn Harding (Mississauga (OHL), free agent invitee); Jackson DeSouza (Kelowna (WHL), free agent invitee).

Goalies — Sebastian Cossa (Grand Rapids/Toledo (ECHL), 2021 first round); Jan Bednar (Acadie-Bathurst, (QMJHL)/Toledo, 2020 fourth round); Lukas Matrcha (Dynamo- Pardubice (Czech Jr.), free agent).

Dallas Stars

Forwards — Francesco Arcuri (Kitchener (OHL), 2021 sixth round); Oskar Back (Texas (AHL), 2018 third round); Ben Berard (Cornell (ECAC)/Texas, free agent); Matej Blumel (Dallas/Texas, free agent drafted by Edmonton 2019 fourth round); Mavrik Bourque (Texas, 2020 first round); Justin Ertel (North Bay, 2021 third round); Brad Gardiner (Ottawa (OHL), 2023 third round); Kyle McDonald (North Bay, free agent); Angus MacDonell (Mississauga, 2023 sixth round); Keaton Mastrodonato (Canisius (AHA)/Texas, free agent); Matthew Seminoff (Kamloops (WHL), 2022 sixth round); Logan Stankoven IKamloops, 2021 second round); Antonio Stranges (Idaho (ECHL)/Texas, 2020 fourth round); Chase Wheatcroft  (Prince George (WHL), free agent).

Defense — Tristan Bertucci (Flint, 2023 second round); Lian Bichtel (Leksandr IF, 2022 first round); Artem Grushnikov (Hamilton (AHL)/Texas, 2021 second round); Christian Kyrou (Sarnia (OHL), 2022 second round), Jacob Murray (Kingston-Guelph (OHL)/Cincinnati (ECHL), free agent); Gavin White (Peterborough (AHL). 2022 fourth round); Ben Zloty (Winnipeg (WHL), free agent).

Goalies — Remi Poirier (Idaho/Texas,  2020 sixth round); Bryan Thomson (Lethbridge (WHL), free agent).

 Columbus Blue Jackets

Forwards —Cameron Butler (Oshawa(OHL)/Cleveland (AHL), free agent); Luc Del Bel Belluz (Mississauga/Sarnia, 2022 second round); Kocha Delic (Sudbury (OHL), free agent invitee); Jordan Dumais (Halifax (QJMHL), 2022 third round);  Adam Fantilli (Michigan, 2023 first round); James Malatesta (Quebec (QJMHL), 2021 fifth round);  Sean McGurn (London (OHL), free agent invitee); Hunter McKown (Colorado College (NCHC)/Columbus, free agent); Justin Pearson (UConn (Hockey East), Cleveland, AHL contract); Tyler Peddle (Drummondville QJMHL) , 2023 seventh  round); Luca Pinelli (Ottawa (OHL), 2023 fourth round); Mikael Pyythia (TPS Turka (SM-Iligia)/Cleveland/Columbus, 2020 fourth round); Martin Rysavy (Moose Jaw (WHL), 2021 seventh round); Dmitri Voronkov (Ak Brs Kazan (KHL), 2019 fourth round). Oasiz Wiesblatt (Medicine Hat (WHL), free agent invitee).

Defensemen — Corson Ceulemans (Wisconsin (Big Ten)/Cleveland, 2021 first round); Nicholas DeAngelis (Windsor (OHL), free agent invitee); David Jiricek (Cleveland/Columbus, 2022 first round); Gunnar Kinniburgh (Saskatchwan (USports), free agent invitee); Samuel Knazko (Cleveland/Columbus, 2020 third round); Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw, 3202 first round); Ben Roger (Kingston (OHL), free agent invitee); Stanislav Svozil (Regina (WHL)/Cleveland/Columbus), 2021 third round).

Goalies — Pavel Cajan (Kalamazoo (ECHL)/Cleveland, AHL contract); Nolan Lalonde (Erie (OHL), free agent).

The post Rosters Out For NHL Prospect Tournament Teams appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman isn’t handing out any free passes when it comes to the NHL  Prospects Tournament in Traverse City from Sept. 14-17.

Elmer Soderblom played 21 games with the Red Wings and 20 with the Grand Rapids Griffins and he’s playing. Sebastian Cossa is expected to get plenty of playing time this season in Grand Rapids, but he will launch this season as a member of Detroit’s 24-person roster for the annual tournament.

Cross Hanas will be playing his second season with Grand Rapids and he is on Detroit’s rookie roster. Finnish defenseman Antti Tuomisto is 22 and he will be there.

Full 2023 #DRWPT roster.

Who are you looking forward to watching?! pic.twitter.com/rLYjDpO9JE

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 24, 2023

Add in the prize rookies like Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, Amadeus Lombardi, Carter Mazur, William Wallinder and Andrew Gibson and it seems clear that the Red Wings have a highly competitive roster.

Cossa, Danielson and Kasper are three of Yzerman’s first-round picks since 2019. Wallinder took a major step in his development last season in the Swedish Hockey League.

There is plenty of fan and team excitement over Lombardi who posted 45 goals and 102 points in 67 games for the Flint Firebirds (Ontario Hockey League) last season.

Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson aren’t on the list for medical reasons. Edvinsson is coming off surgery and Johansson had an undisclosed injury in Grand Rapids last season. College prospects can’t play in the tournament.

The Red Wings rookies will face the top prospects from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars in games at Centre Ice Arena. Each team will play three games.

Full 2023 #DRWPT roster.

Who are you looking forward to watching?! pic.twitter.com/rLYjDpO9JE

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 24, 2023

Doucet’s Debut

Detroit fans will also get their first look at Alexandre Doucet. He was an undrafted free agent signing last month. He comes from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Doucet netted 58 goals and finished with 115 points playing as an over-age junior.

It’s fair to say the Red Wings can’t be sure what they have with Doucet. He’s 21 and he boasts some nifty offensive instincts.

Anyone wondering how important this rookie tournament is needs only to remember that Lucas Raymond’s push to earning a place on the Red Wings started with a strong performance in this tournament.

Could Kasper have a similar launch?

Likewise,  last season’s free agent invitee Jeremie Biakabutuka started his drive to landing an NHL contract (with the St. Louis Blues) by drawing notice at this tournament.

The Red Wings do have some free agent invitees, including Michigan native Dean Loukus who posted 56 points in 65 games for the Saginaw Spirit. Here is the Red Wings NHL Prospect Tournament complete roster:

The post Red Wings Show Talented Roster For Traverse City Prospect Tournament appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Red Wings fans may not have to wait a couple of years to see prize young Detroit center Marco Kasper facing off against Columbus Blues Jackets elite prospect center Adam Fantilli.

The Blue Jackets will be one of the team competing against the Red Wings in the 24th NHL Prospect Tournament at Traverse City’s Centre Ice Arena from Sept. 14-17. The Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs are the other teams competing in the event that is popular with local fans. Fantilli played last season at the University of Michigan.

According to the Red Wings, 756 players who have played in this tournament have gone on to play at least one NHL game.

The Blue Jackets could also bring standout young defenseman David Jiricek who was ranked ahead of Detroit’s top defensive prospect Simon Edvinsson who is still recovering from offseason surgery.  The Stars’ general manager is Jim Nill who is was Ken Holland’s right-hand man in Detroit for many years before landing the Stars’ job.

The prospect tournament had as many as eight teams at one point, and had five last season. But other teams have started to host tournaments and the Detroit tournament has downsized.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman also announced Monday that the team’s training camp will be from Sept. 21-25 in Traverse City. Training camp and the preseason will determine if players, such as Kasper and Edvinsson, have a chance to play in Detroit. Edvinsson’s medical situation will also be a factor.

Tickets on Sale

The prospects tournament will be followed by the team’s Training Camp Golf Classic at the Traverse City Golf Club on Sept. 20. Golfers will have lunch before being paired with a Red Wings player, coach, or member of management.

After golf, which begins at 1:30 p.m., participants may attend a VIP reception. That will include silent and live auctions that include memorabilia and vacation packages.

[bet-promo id=”1844″ ]

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 15 at www.centreice.org/drwtickets. Prices range from $10-$40, depending on the event and time. For more information, click on the link or call (231) 933-7465.

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