The July 13th in-person ticket sale also coincides with the Red Wings development camp which will be held July 9th – 17th. This camp will feature the organizations top prospects and it is the first place to see the Red Wings 2013 NHL draft class and many of the European and college prospects who don’t attend training camp. Stay tuned to the LWL for details on all off season events as they become available.

Andersson, who is second in regular season games played by a rookie this season (Damien Brunner is first with 44 games), has exceeded expectations playing key minutes and seeing time on the panelty kill. The unassuming Swede has been known for his strong defensive play since being drafted by Detroit 88th overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft. He’s spent the last two seasons in Grand Rapids honing his offensive skills and playing in every situation for the Griffins.

While Andersson has had offensive success in the AHL scoring 21 goals and 51 points in 73 games last season, he’s projected more as a grinder at the NHL level. Currently centering Detroi’t third line along side flashier forwards Gustav Nyquist and Brunner, the 24 year-old has been a key reason for the lines outstanding play through four playoff games. Andersson, who has two assists through four playoff games, is comfortable playing a more grinding defensive role on the line and allowing his more skilled wingers an opportunity to generate offense. The formula is working with the trio accounting for both over time goals to help the Wings tie the series at two.

The hardworking Andersson provides the stability and grit that has made the line successful and has helped balance the Red Wings scoring. It’s a pretty impressive accomplishment for a player who was only expected to be an injury fill-in this season. Often overlooked because of his below average skating ability, Andersson has proven his critics wrong showing he is able to keep pace with the faster NHL while also establising himself as a legitimate third line center and staple on the penalty kill.

Out of AHL options next year, Andersson is hoping his strong play down the stretch will help him finally secure a full-time roster spot. The Wings, who also need to find full-time spots for Nyquist and Tomas Tatar next season, could face a difficult decision with a glut of young forward talent that also includes Calle Jarnkrok as well as the hopeful return of Darren Helm. With his line becoming one Detroit’s most consistent in the post season, Andersson is already giving management something to think about, but a long playoff run could cement his position heading into training camp.

With his offensive numbers more than doubling his rookie season total of 9 goals and 20 points, Ferraro has taken the next step in his development . More importantly, he has remained healthy and been a key contributor in every situation for Grand Rapids. The 21 year-old has struggled with nagging injuries to his shoulder, groin and knee that have seen him miss significant time over the last three seasons. He also suffered a concussion last year that limited him to just 56 AHL games in his first professional season. Despite the injuries, Ferraro has spent the last two summers building his core strength in the hopes that the added muscle would make him more durable. His upswing in production and game played this season indicate that his hard work is finally paying dividends.

Even with his improved offense, Ferraro wasn’t one of the forwards called up to Detroit this season. A condensed schedule and an aging team have led to long stretches this season where the Wings have relied on unproven prospects calling up six different Griffins including Petr Mrazek, Tomas Tatar, Joakim Andersson, Brian Lashoff, Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan. Ferraro probably deserved a call-up as a reward this season, but his play hasn’t gone unnoticed earning the praise of Red Wings management and Griffins coaching staff alike.

The Burnaby, British Columbia native is taking it all in stride and is focusing on a long Calder Cup playoff run with the Griffins. The swift skating Ferraro could put an exclamation point on a career year and cement his status as a call-up next year with a strong playoff run. With Detroit’s log jam of young forwards next season that includes Nyquist, Tatar, Andersson and Jarnkrok, Ferraro will likely spend another season in the AHL but he’s proven he’s ready to take the next step if Detroit calls.

Red Wings Assistant GM Nill with Tomas Tatar at the 2009 NHL draft

The Red Wings are celebrating clinching their 22nd straight post season appearance after defeating the Dallas Stars 3-0 on Saturday. But the organization is doing it with a heavy heart knowing a key management cog is departing. Just before the game, TSN broke the news that Detroit Assistant General Manager Jim Nill is likely to be announced as the new Dallas GM as early as Monday.

Nill has been the Red Wings assistant general manager for 15 years and is highly regarded throughout the league. He’s had other opportunities to leave Detroit but the timing or opportunity has not been right. Unfortunately for Detroit, it appears Dallas has made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and the only question remains how soon he will take over the helm from current GM Joe Nieuwendyk.

The 55 year-old isn’t your typical assistant GM having complete control of the Wings drafting and player development. Over the years Nill’s role has expanded as Detroit put greater emphasis on player development. When Detroit renegotiated its affiliation deal with the Grand Rapids Griffins a few seasons ago, they essentially gave Nill the GM duties allowing him to have authority over player movement. The increased workload has given Detroit an even greater ability to have a role in player development. The move has paid dividends and can be seen in the play of Joakim Andersson, Brian Lashoff, Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar who have all seen NHL duty this season. The Wings have been lucky enough to have two NHL GM’s over they years with Ken Holland as 1A and Nill as 1B.

A former third round selection of the St. Louis Blues himself, Nill also runs the Red Wings amateur draft each June. While the Wings have some excellent scouts in the organization, it is Nill who has had the final say for the Wings over the years. Detroit has used the draft wisely over the years to restock their roster  which now includes 15 Red Wings draft picks. The Hanna Alberta native will leave behind a deep pool of up and coming talent for the Red Wings and his finger prints will be across the organization for years to come.

The loss of Nill has been expected for several seasons, but it still comes as a blow. Nill certainly deserves a shot as an NHL GM, but the Red Wings will miss him greatly. He’s quietly  provided a steady stream of up-and-coming talent to the Wings helping them transition on the fly and avoiding a complete make over despite the retirement of key veterans. Depending on Nill’s exact departure, expect the Red Wings to name an internal candidate as a replacement with the leading contenders being Ryan Martin (assistant GM of hockey administration) or Joe McDonnell (director of amateur scouting).

Gustav Nyquist is one of several prospects teams will inquire about in potential trades with Detroit

With the NHL trade deadline just days away, the Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland has already said he is unlikely to make a move unless there is a fit. Ideally, the Wings would like to acquire help at both ends of the ice, but they aren’t willing to relinquish prospects and draft picks for short-term help.

Among those Detroit was rumored to be interested in was former Calgary defenseman, Jay Bouwmeester before he was moved to the St. Louis Blues last night. The Wings were in on the discussions, but likely had difficulty meeting the asking price and also fitting the remainder of his contract under next seasons lower salary cap.

Next seasons reduced cap is a factor, but also complicating Detroit’s trade ability is a move to the Eastern Conference. Teams in the East may be less inclined to help an Eastbound Detroit team and if they were willing to trade it would come at a premium price or would not include a player that could provide long-term help.

A deal in the West might be easier to make but the playoff picture is murky at this stage of the season. Five teams (St. Louis, Dallas, Edmonton, Nashville and Phoenix) are just four points outside a playoff spot and may be making a playoff push instead of trading valuable assets. The two obvious targets are Calgary and Colorado who are seven and nine points out of the playoffs.

The Wings brass will assess the market heading into the deadline, but all signs are pointing to no major movement this year. Having injured players like Todd Bertuzzi, Kyle Quincey and Darren Helm return to the lineup would provide a needed boost, but won’t resolve the team deficiencies. Even if a trade materialized, there likely isn’t a deal that could provide the Wings with a complete solution and they would likely have to sacrifice some young talent like Tomas Tatar, Petr Mrazek, Gustav Nyquist or high draft picks.

Working within the cap and weighing the costs of moving prospects and draft picks isn’t new for the Red Wings, but the added barriers of moving to the East while currently playing in the West puts the team in a unique circumstance. The situation is temporary and will resolve with the planned realignment next season, but expect it to add an extra wrinkle in Detroit’s ability to make a significant deal by Wednesday’s deadline.