The Left Wing Lock

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While Brad Stuart‘s return will provide a boost to the Red Wings, it likely means rookie Jakub Kindl‘s consistent ice time is coming to an end. Stuart is slated to play in Thursday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after sitting 15 games with a broken jaw.

The former 19th overall selection in the 2005 NHL draft filled in more than admirably during Stuart’s absence. Kindl used the opportunity to gain experience and confidence while playing with veteran Ruslan Salei on the third pairing.

Expectations for the 6-foot-3, 210 pound defenseman have been high since being the highest Red Wings draft … Continue Reading

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The NHL trade deadline used to be a day similar to Christmas for the Detroit Red Wings. In the pre-salary cap era, Ken Holland and the Red Wings front office were never afraid to make a big move to fill a potential gap.

Detroit routinely sent prospects and draft picks packing for big name players that they believed would bolster their Stanley Cup chances. The Red Wings didn’t seem bothered by trades that involved top prospects or high end draft picks, knowing they could fill holes via free agency. Detroit also had a reputation for drafting quality players later in … Continue Reading

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The Red Wings are clearly struggling. Last night’s dismal 4-1 loss to the Predators was just the latest example of a team that has lost focus. Getting healthy bodies back in the lineup will help, but it is not the overall solution and may even cause confusion until chemistry can be re-established.

Having lost three of the last five games, the Wings need to put a stop to the sloppy uninspired play before the major playoff push begins. A consistent problem this season has been the slow starts which routinely allows the opposition to score early goals and put Detroit at … Continue Reading

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Nothing has come easy for Drew Miller. The 6-foot-2, 170 pound forward helped the Red Wings earn a playoff spot last season after being picked up off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning in November. Detroit claimed the 26 year-old forward to add immediate depth to a roster riddled with injuries. They eventually intended to send him down to Grand Rapids of the AHL.

Miller’s strong play coupled with a continuing injury problems kept the forward in Detroit for the remainder of the season. After becoming a restricted free agent over the summer, Miller would eventually sign a one … Continue Reading

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Playing four rookies in a season is unheard of for a team like the Red Wings. Extensive injuries have forced Detroit to call up the likes of Jan Mursak, Tomas Tatar and Cory Emmerton. First year defenseman Jakub Kindl made the Wings out of training camp as the seventh defenseman and up until the recently ad been a regular healthy scratch.

Mursak was the first rookie to earn a call-up and the 23 year-old forward has filled in admirably in his 17 game stint. The Maribor, Slovenia native has made an impact with his speed and stick handling ability playing on … Continue Reading

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Goalie Rick DiPietro was looking to spark his New York Islanders teammates when he squared off Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Brent Johnson. Unfortunately one punch to the head will sideline Dipietro for four to six weeks with broken bones in his face.

The Islanders, who are the worst team in the Eastern Conference, have little chance of making the playoffs. Now that Dipietro is sidelined and Dwayne Roloson traded to the Tampa bay, the Isles have little chance of gaining ground in the standings. Evegeni Nabakov, who the Red Wings signed two weeks ago but lost on waivers to the Isles, … Continue Reading

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The NHL will try and capitalize on the success of the Winter Classic when it hosts it’s second outdoor game on February 20th. The Montreal Canadians and the Calgary Flames will face off in the Heritage Winter Classic in Calgary’s McMahon Stadium less than two months since the Winter Classic.
The NHL has attempted to differentiate the games by focusing this years Winter Classic on American audiences with a game featuring Washington and Pittsburgh. The Heritage Classic, on the other hand, will focus on the Canadian audience.That being said, two games in a season is too much, too soon.

The league … Continue Reading

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It’s not all Jimmy Howard’s fault. Matter of fact much of the Red Wings below average goals against – 20th in the NHL – has more to do with a lack of adequate defensive zone coverage than the Red Wings goaltending.

Howard, who is in his second year as the Red Wings starting goaltender, is ranked fourth in wins this season with 38. His .904 save percentage ant 2.87 goals against are well above his sparkling record from a year ago, but overall Howard’s play as not been the issue.

Turnovers have been Detroit’s downfall this season. The Red Wings have … Continue Reading

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The Red Wings surprised many in 2004 making Johan Franzen their first pick in the draft that year. Detroit had to wait until the 97th overall pick after trading away their first two picks in trade deadline deals. At the time of the draft, Franzen was 24 years-old and had been passed over in multiple drafts causing some to question the selection.

Hakan Andersson, the Red Wings top European scout, pushed for Franzen because of his size and defensive game. When Detroit picked him, they projected the 6-foot-3, 220-pound winger as a defensive player who could fill out their bottom … Continue Reading

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The NHL held it’s first ever All-Star Fantasy draft last night on Versus. While it was entertaining to see some of the players squirm (Jonathan Tarves) as they waited for their name to be called, at times the broadcast was difficult to watch. TSN’s James Duthie did his best to manufacture intrigue and animosity where there was none.

The NHL produced the show to seem as though it was the NHL entry draft complete with players in suits and jackets.

In the end Team Staal ended up with a team full of favors and teammates such as Cam Ward and Jeff Skinner, … Continue Reading