TRAVERSE CITY – Detroit Red Wings fans arriving in Traverse City were anxious to see what all the fuss was about regarding Jakub Rychlovsky. One game into the club’s rookie contests against the Dallas Stars, the Czech sensation was, well, sensational.

He was netting a goal scorer’s goal on a third-period power play during Detrot’s 5-1 victory. Corraling a rebound in tight at the net front, Rychlovsky zipped a quick shot into the roof of the net. He gave Dallas goalie Benjamin Kraws no chance of getting anywhere near stopping the puck.

Danielson wins the faceoff, MBN takes a wicked shot, Rychlovsky there to put the puck in the net

Wings lead 3-1 in the 3rd period#LGRW #RedWings pic.twitter.com/Y6wfEFcg9H

— Hockeytown Rundown (@HockeytownRD) September 15, 2024

During the same frame, Rychlovsky was utilizing his speed to break into open space down the left wing. Whipping a cross-crease pass to Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, only a specatcular sliding leg save from Kraws was preventing a highlight-reel Detroit goal.

“Yeah, I love his skill,” said Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson, who was handling the Detroit bench. “I love his energy.”

In fact, there really wasn’t an uneventful Rychlovsky shift during the game. The puck just seems to find this guy and then he makes something positive happen once in possession of it. Rychlovsky was skating on left wing on the top line alongside first-round picks Nate Danielson (2023) and Brandsegg-Nygard (2024).

Rychlovsky, 23, was the leading goal scorer in Czech Extraliga last with with 26 tallies for Liberec. The Red Wings knew they were acquiring a guy who could put the biscuit in the basket when they were signing him as a free agent.

Rychlovsky Bringing Complete Game To Red Wings

What they are discovering in this rookie camp is that his package contains so much more in terms of ingredients.

“One thing that probably went a little unnoticed that we saw is that compete level playing through bodies,” Watson said. “He’s not scared of the physicality. He got through hands. He stole a lot of pucks and he created a lot of turnovers for us.

“You can see he’s got that hunting mentality. He wants the puck, he’s willing to go and get it back. He’s not scared of that work and that compete level.

“So I liked his game a lot and I’m looking forward to see his development here again.”

Game WON.

: Paquette, Seger, Rychlovsky, Doucet (2)
: Edwards, Finnie, Buium, MBN, Lombardi (2), Johannes pic.twitter.com/6MxYSSZKTx

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 15, 2024

Like all Europeans, there’s still going to be an adjustment period that Rychlovsky will be going through as he’s acclimating to the North American game. It was evident, though, that he’s a quick study. His first period was Rychlovsky’s worst. His game was appearing to grow incrementally better with each passing shift.

“That big ice, to the small ice,” Watson explained. “I thought we did struggle a little bit early on and he struggled a little bit early on, but then he figured it out real fast and it was effective on our breakouts. Effective through the neutral zone with speed.

“There’s a lot to like with him.”

The post Rychlovsky Delivers Goods For Red Wings appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Jakub Rychlovsky is planning for Grand Rapids and dreaming about Detroit. His Czech coach doesn’t believe his aspirations are unrealistic.

“I’ll be happy if he stays, but (Rychlovsky) is a player for the NHL,” said his Liberec coach Filip Pesan. “…I think he deserves all of the attention he’s getting now. Dozens of scouts watched him during the season.”

Bob Duff wrote this week that Rychlovsky worked out diligently all summer to be ready for his NHL opportunity. The Red Wings signed him after he led the Czech Extraliga with 26 goals.

“I trained for four months. It was probably my longest preparation in my career,” Rychlovsky told Czech website iDnes.cz. “I think I prepared well. Now it’s just up to me to show myself in the best possible light in Detroit and leave a good first impression.”

Rychlovsky has done his homework about what happens to Detroit prospects.

“If you look at the history of how Detroit has handled players, they have mostly sent them to the farm,” Rychlovsky acknowledges. “So my journey will probably lead there too. But anything can happen.

“I will do my best to fight my way into the first team.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

The agent for Lucas Raymond said it’s still possible to get a new contract for him before training camp, but it has to be “reasonable.”

Defenseman Anton Johansson, a Red Wings prospect, scored a pair of goals in a Swedish Hockey League game.

Take the Red Wings quiz. It will help if you know which Red Wings player had a role in a movie that starred Frank Sinatra. Bob Duff created this fun exercise.

Red Wings Offseason

The New York Rangers have signed ex-Red Wings forward Adam Erne to a PTO deal for their training camp. He played 24 games last season for the Edmonton Oilers.

#NYR bringing in bottom-six forward Adam Erne on PTO for training camp, per report.

Here's who he is and what he brings https://t.co/PPuXdnFIvE

— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) September 10, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Boston: BHN looks at how the Bruins defense will measure up in the Atlantic Division this upcoming season. Boston Bruins.

Philadelphia: Oddsmakers believe Matvei Michkov has good odds to score 20 goals this season. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that Penguins management and players have a different perspective about the team’s objective for the 2024-25 NHL season. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng offers five reasons why Tyler Toffoli is a good fit for the San Jose Sharks. 

The post The Daily: Czech Coach Likes Rychlovsky Chances; Erne on PTO appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

If Jakub Rychlovsky were to pen one of those how I spent my summer vacation essays, the central subject matter would be the Detroit Red Wings.

Among the more prevalent storylines that will be unfolding later this week in the NHL rookie games between Detroit and the Dallas Stars will be to see what kind of impression Rychlovsky can make in his North American bow.

He’s been doing his utmost to prepare to make his arrival impactful.

“I trained for four months. It was probably my longest preparation in my career,” Rychlovsky told Czech website iDnes.cz. “I think I prepared well. Now it’s just up to me to show myself in the best possible light in Detroit and leave a good first impression.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s been too long here in the Czech Republic.”

Rychlovsky Seeking Place With Red Wings

The six-foot, 178-pound left-winger is coming off a season in which led led the Czech Extraliga with 26 goals. That was earning him a two-year contract with Detroit.

Jakub Rychlovský : 26 goals in the regular season and another 5 in the playoffs #LGRW

pic.twitter.com/b6mNn8NTM0

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) June 7, 2024

He seems to already succinctly understand the methodology that the Red Wings hockey operations staff likes to undertake with prospects. Generally, rookies will serve their apprenticeship in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

“If you look at the history of how Detroit has handled players, they have mostly sent them to the farm,” Rychlovsky acknowledges. “So my journey will probably lead there too. But anything can happen.

“I will do my best to fight my way into the first team.”

While some of his Czech compatriots were making the move to North America at a young age in order to play Canadian junior hockey, Rychlovsky, 23, believes he was better served by staying home. His resume is already showing five seasons of pro hockey against men.

Simek Counsels Rychlovsky

Rychlovsky was getting his first taste of the NHL lifestyle while attending the Red Wings development camp in July.

“When I came to the main arena in Detroit, that’s probably when it hit me,” Rychlovsky explained. “The background, number and attitude of the people who look after the players in the organization is at an extreme level.”

Here’s Jakub Rychlovsky (No. 81) at development camp, a free agent #RedWings signed this offseason after he led the Czech League in goals. pic.twitter.com/KbgVueZuMZ

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 5, 2024

He’s been working out with his old club Liberec in preparation for his North American debut. That’s been enabling him to pick the brain of defenseman Radim Simek. Simek finished last season with the Griffins before opting to return to play the 2024-25 season back in his homeland.

“We had daily debates about how everything is going on there, so that at the beginning I would have at least some information that would make it easier for me,” Rychlovsky said. “I am very grateful to Radim for that. I value his advice very much and I will certainly draw on it.”

The Red Wings haven’t been enjoying much in the way of success in recent years with European free agents. It doesn’t sound as though Rychlovsky will be giving them much runway to make a determination on whether he has a future in Detroit.

“After the season, it will be seen whether I will continue in America or return to Europe,” Rychlovsky explained. “It’s all in the stars.”

The post Rychlovsky Doing Utmost To Make Red Wings 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.

To be fair, Jakub Rychlovsky probably wasn’t aware of what he was getting himself into when he was opting to sign a free-agent pact with the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit’s history when it comes to inking European free agents is, shall we say, a checkered past. Well, that’s not entirely true.

It’s been closer to dreadful. Maybe even abysmal would be a better descriptive.

Rychlovsky will be coming to Detroit on a high. With 26 goals last season for Liberec Bili Tygri HC, the 22-year-old left shot forward was the leading goal scorer in the Czech Extraliga.

#LGRW signed free agent F Jakub Rychlovský to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Youngest player to ever win the Czech Extraliga’s scoring title (age 22). Had 26 goals (and 20 assists) in 51 games for Bílí Tygři Liberec.

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 3, 2024

“I really like him,” Red Wings director of player development Dan Cleary said. “Quiet, strong little guy. I was friends with someone who was coaching him in Czech, so he kind of reached out.

“He thought it was a great signing for us.”

That’s what everyone thought two years ago when the Red Wings were signing Swedish free agent forward Pontus Andreasson. He was also coming to North America off a tide turning European campaign. During the 2021-22 SHL season, Andreasson netted 18 goals for Lulea.

He’d scored 12 goals for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins in 2022-23, then head home to Sweden.

Red Wings Like Rychlovsky’s Skating

Before Andreasson, Mathias Brome scored one goal in 26 games for Detroit in 2020-21. Slovak defenseman Libor Sulak was minus-four during a six-game Red Wings stint in 2018-19. Slovak goalie Patrik Rybar, Czech goalie Matej Machovsky, Finnish goalie Jussi Olkinuora and and Finnish defenseman Oliwer Kaski never played a single NHL game for Detroit.

Why will Rychlovsky be different? Well, for one thing, he’s got wheels.

Here’s Jakub Rychlovsky (No. 81) at development camp, a free agent #RedWings signed this offseason after he led the Czech League in goals. pic.twitter.com/KbgVueZuMZ

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) July 5, 2024

“I haven’t seen him play live in a game,” Cleary admitted. “But just watching him skate, handle the puck, move it, he’s a driven young kid.”

Prior to last season, Rychlovsky had never scored more than six goals in a single season at the senior level.

“I know he’s a very talented young player that’s gone through the draft,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said. “Our guys thought he really took a step this year, skill wise.”

Likely Destined For Grand Rapids

The six-foot, 178-pound Rychlovsky will almost certainly begin the upcoming season with the Griffins. And the Red Wings are recognizing that this will be a huge step up for the young Czech.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Cleary said. “Going from the Czech League to Grand Rapids is a bit of an adjustment.

“These kids are young. But I think he’s got a good, strong base. We’ll see.”

The post Red Wings Hoping Rychlovsky Ends European Free Agent Drought appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

New Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Rychlovsky isn’t at all deterred by the notion that generally, European free agents don’t make a major impact with the club.

He’s bound and determined to be the exception to that rule.

“My dream has come true, I’ll do everything for a spot in the NHL,” Rychlovsky told Bílí Tygři Liberec’s website.

An unrestricted free agent, Rychlovsky signed to a two-year, two-way rookie contract with the Red Wings that could pay the Czech forward as much as $1.74 million.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed left wing Jakub Rychlovský to a two-year, entry-level contract. pic.twitter.com/zYfY59VBHV

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

At the same time, Rychlovsky, 22, is admitting that these latest developments in his life and hockey career do seem somewhat surreal.

“If someone had told me this a year ago, I probably wouldn’t have believed him,” Rychlovsky related to Czech website isport.blesk.cz.

Following season in which he led the Czech Extraliga with 26 goals, Rychlovksy became a sought-after performer.

“In the last 365 days, so many things have happened around me that my life has been turned upside down,” Rychlovsky explained. “Last year, I would not have expected my career to take off in such a literal rocket way.

“I certainly appreciate it a lot. I will do my best to move forward in hockey.”

Rychlovsky Ready To Make Mark With Red Wings

It was the Red Wings who won the race to capture his name on an NHL contract. And Rychlovsky couldn’t be more delighted.

“In my opinion, every boy who plays hockey should aim to sign a contract in the NHL,” Rychlovsky said. “Whether you are five or twenty-eight years old, you should dream of entering the best league in the world.

Jakub Rychlovský si parádně našel kotouč na brankovišti a poslal Česko do vedení! #narodnitym #ceskyhokej pic.twitter.com/pPAbgDO46n

— Český hokej (@czehockey) December 16, 2023

“I had my head set like that, I tried to do everything every day to at least get closer to that goal. Fortunately, I succeeded.

“The next stage of life, a new part of a career, is coming. There are a lot of new things and challenges ahead of me, but I’m really looking forward to it and I can promise that I’ll give my best.”

The post Rychlovsky Talks About Move to Red Wings appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Free agent left wing Jakub Rychlovsky, the leading goal scorer in the Czech Extraliga this past season, signed a  two-year entry level contract with the Detroit Red Wings Monday.

At 22, Rychlovsky is the youngest player to win the Czech Extraliga goal scoring title.  The previous record holder was former Red Wings player Dominik Kubalik.  Rychlovsky netted 26 goals and added 20 assists for 46 points in 51 games for Bili Tyrgri Liberec. This was a breakthrough season for Rychlovsky who was passed over in the NHL draft. In 2022-23, Rychlovsky netted five goals in 52 games for the same teams.

Duel na Hané ovládl Jakub Rychlovský! Talent @hcbilitygri vstřelil hattrick, díky čemuž v tabulce střelců dohnal Tomáše Filippiho #hattricktelh | #TELH pic.twitter.com/Pjzy7xkv6J

— Tipsport extraliga (@telhcz) February 28, 2024

Speed is an important aspect of Rychlovsky’s game.  He’s a savvy player with good instincts, and has stepped up in big games. He had five goals and seven points in nine playoff games this season.

Quality PP Performer

Nine of Rychlovsky’s goals came on the power play and he generated three shorthanded goals. The 5-foot-10 forward posted five game-winning goals and was plus-8 on the season. He boasted a shooting percentage of 19.5%.

With a prospect list heavy on quality defensemen, the Red Wings are undoubtedly happy to add another potential scorer.  However, it’s always difficult to know how a European free agent will perform until he comes over for his first NHL training camp and preseason games.

It’s fair to say the majority of those undrafted free agents don’t make the grade. Most recently, the Red Wings signed Pontus Andreasson after he scored 18 goals in 52 games in the Swedish Hockey League. He scored 12 goals for the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2022-23 and then returned to Sweden. Andreasson was 24 when he came to North America.

But some do have an impact. After being a dominant player in the Swiss League for 33 games in 2012-13, Damien Brunner signed with the Red Wings and put up 12 goals and 26 points in 44 games.

And Detroit fans know the Pius Suter story. He was undrafted, signed by the Blackhawks, and he has been a dependable, productive two-way third line forward for the Blackhawks, Red Wings and now Vancouver Canucks over the past four seasons

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