How can the Detroit Red Wings turn things around, and when? Max Bultman of The Athletic Detroit joins us on this episode to discuss!
Tune in as we open by discussing Detroit’s 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on PAvel Datsyuk’s HHoF night in Hockeytown, including Jonatan Berggren breaking Sorokin’s shutout, Dylan Larkin’s great play to Lucas Raymond for the winner, Alex Lyon’s bounceback performance & more (3:40). Next, their disappointing loss to the Boston Bruins, including Seider, Edvinsson, Tarasenko connecting for a great goal and a whole lot of not much else in front of Cam Talbot, followed by a discussion of what Derek Lalonde’s team truly is at this point in the year, what’s realistic for them moving forward, potential trade targets for Steve Yzerman to focus on (David Jiricek, Trevor Zegras, Seamus Casey, Bowen Byram?), & more (16:00).
After that, updates as Jim Montgomery is immediately hired by the St. Louis Blues and what this means for Derek Lalonde, as well as Red Wings notes including Albert Johansson’s development, Amadeus Lombardi, and Dmitri Buchelnikov (37:55).
Next, Max’s “Good in the Room” segment covering the rising salary cap in the NHL, how Detroit’s core contracts are shaping up, and Steve Yzerman’s window to grab a superstar like Marner, Rantanen, or someone else to accelerate the rebuild (56:20).
Finally, NHL news including Alexander Ovechkin’s injury update (1:15:30) before we take your questions & comments in our Overtime segment (1:16:50) – enjoy!
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28 Comments
I read an article that Illitch blocked the concept of Yzerman wanting to signi Stamkos to 4 years. Thoughts despite his start in Nashville? Or is the start in Nashville proof Stammer has fallen off?
The wings’ are in it for the long term no more worthless trades!
Best case scenario is trading a Talbot who’s red hot at 50% retention to a contender who’s cash strapped like an avs team for a 1st + and start making room for some kids while yes been saying for a while, trade for a young player with upside like a zegras or whomever that maybe be and end up with a top 4 pick this draft and bounce back and be playoff contenders and hopefully on the path to cup contenders like the devils did when they got nemec at 2 and are good again
And to all the talbot lovers yes he’s been great but he won’t be here after his contract ends and I wouldn’t mind going Cossa/Lyon next season… if we’re dealing a 1st I’m protecting a top 10 pick for 2 drafts like flames did with the habs
Got my jan 18th tickets last month woohoo
Dropping in the draft hasn’t been as bad as people make it out to be. If they didn’t drop they wouldn’t have Raymond or Mo. The picks that really hurt are Ras and Zadina.
So the takeaway from this episode is "Oh maybe Yzerman & Co. do actually know what they are doing." I understand the impatience among some fans with this years team. However I think the belly aching needs to be turned down a few notches. Especially when you consider the news of how close Stamkos was to signing with the Wings and what prevented it.
In the last 2 seasons, Dylan Larkin has been on a line w Lucas Raymond at 5v5 for 816 minutes, and on a line w Patrick Kane for 270 minutes. In his 816 minutes w Raymond and whoever else, his line is tied 48-48. In his 270 minutes w Kane and whoever, they're winning 17-8. That is 51-24 over the same amount of time.
Fire Lalonde. Trade Kane to a team that will not lie to him in negotiations or cheat him w lineups favoring homegrown players regardless of results.
Honestly the only reason I still watch this team is for the Young Guns like Kasper, Berggren and Johansson, least they look like they care, with some notes of Larkin, Ray, Mo and ED but the rest is off to lunch
Im fine with Tanking this season idk about you guys, F it we ball
remember the energy the team had when the redwood line was going?
Cooper's coming to Detroit next season. Best coach in NHL
i think lalonde is too big of a dinosaur to solve issues on the move.. same with yzerman.
In my personal opinion, we should’ve kept Perron instead of signing Tarasenko.
Kept Walman instead of Gustaffson but maybe there’s more to the story with Walman, idk.
Adding Zegras and Brady Tkachuk would be incredible. Good call Max
Zegras isn’t a defensive liability anymore. Read the hockey news article that quotes Greg Cronin stating that whether Carlsson or Zegras are on the ice has a number one center out there. He is just unlucky to start the year. He has a 3.9% shooting percentage.
I agree with you, I had high expectations about Gustafsson, just based on how he played for the Rangers. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to fit in Detroit. At least he's cheaper than the other defenders. Johansson is more than OK, nothing special at the moment, but not bad either. He needs to play consistently, so he'll gain more confidence and play better (I personally think he's much better than Petry or Holl, but he's a left defender and that makes him more dispensable)
I hope Chirot gets more consistency in his game, then he'd be a big improvement!
I also agree with you about one or two top players that we should get, even if there will be a sacrifice, prospect or pick. We should keep this thought in mind (my favorites at the moment are top 6 Eriksson Ek, Conner or Rantanan Botten 6 A. Nylander, Puljujarvi).
As harsh as it sounds, we unfortunately have to let some players go. Copp, Veleno, Petry, Gustafsson, Compher, Holl, Kane, Motte, Fisher, Talbot, Campell and Terasenko (who hasn't necessarily been the worst so far). That's a lot of players! It must be possible for SY to activate a trade.
I really don't see any problem in trading Kane, Terasenko, Fisher and Veleno
Compher, Talbot, Motte and Gustafsson will also be possible, but Copp, Holl, Petry and Campell will be hard work to replace them. Bad contracts and their style of play doesn't make it any more helpful.
My lineup for 2025/2026 would be (if I could decide)
DeBrincat (LW/RW) Larkin (C) Conner (RW) (the Michigan line with lots of scoring potential))
Beggreen(LW/RW) Eriksson Ek (C/RW) Raymond (LW/RW) (the Swedish line with lots of skill)
Lombardi (LW/C) Danielson (C) Kasper (RW/C) (the youngster line with energy)
Rasmusen (LW/C) A. Nylander (LW/C) Puljujarvi (LW/RW) (the former 1st rounder line with talent)
Substitutes Mazur (LW) Soderblom (LW/RW)
Edvinsson (LD) Seider (RD) (the proven pairing)
Johansson (LD/RD) Sandin Pelikka (RD) (the speedy pairing)
Wallinder (LD) Chiarot (LD/RD) (the young meets the old pairing)
Substitute Tuamisto (RD) Buium(LD)
Lyon (G)
Cossa (G)
Substitute Augustine (G)
Leonde should risk more in the lineup, it can't get much worse!
But what do I know, I'm not a hockey GM or professional coach, I'm just an enthusiastic Red Wing fan!
I don't think Kane is going anywhere this year. He said he wanted stability and that he was happy in Detroit. I believe him. He's already won his Stanley Cups and is probably happy just to be playing Hockey at all right now at the level he's playing at, considering his hip issue. You guys speaking about the youngsters who are finally NHL ready and aren't likely to be going back to the Grand Rapids just need not to panic. We're playing three or four of them every night, they are all playing pretty good hockey and improving day by day. I live in central NJ and consequently I get to watch all four teams in the NYC/Philly area often. Thank heaven for my VPN! What I'm seeing from Marco Kasper is a very young player (20) improving by leaps and bounds with each game. He's going around the league for the first time. Just getting his feet wet. This may sound a little but crazy this kid reminds a lot of Nico Hirscher, the 1st overall pick for the Devils in the 2017 Draft. He's an inch taller, ten pounds heavier and hasn't filled out yet. We all remember Lucas Raymond and what an impact putting on 10 lbs of muscle did for his game. Kasper belongs in the 2C spot, it obvious because does everything. Good at faceoffs and getting better, power play, PK, he can pass and shoot at a very high level and especially like Hischier he's always in the right position. Kasper is a real gem. Tell me I wrong. Berggren is another highly talented young player that gets player more comfortable with each passing game. Berggren went 33rd overall. He's a slightly overripe 24 year old winger that just coming into own. The magic pairing of Edvinsson with Seider is a pleasure to watch. Edvinsson in 21 years old 6'6" 209 and is still filling out. Watch how he handles himself. The calm demeanor that I've seen somewhere else before. These guys are ALL keys to the Red Wings future and the future is bright and right in front of us. Even Cossa is almost ready. There are more of these kids that aren't that far off.
The one big thing that concerns me the most that goes back to last year is DeBrincat. If I had a dollar for every post he's hit or crossbar, high or wide just off a gapping open net, I'd be a rich man. He never gets hot, The best we can hope for is luke-warm. Please prove me wrong on this Alex It would make being a Red Wings fan so much easier. I just looked at his numbers and TBH, they aren't that bad but he is a -10 , not all his fault by any means.
Buchelnikov, Sandin Pelika, Lombardie all are on the smaller size players
This team is bottom 5. No hope for playoffs again.
For a top 4 LHD Detroit could add, I recommend keeping an eye on Jackson Lacombe in Anaheim. He can run a PP and is improving the defensive side of his game. Has his hiccups but is also showing signs of growth and a high skill level to go with great mobility and decent size. Ducks are trying to find a new home for Fowler and have Brian Dumoulin playing the right side. ANA also already have Zellweger and Mintyukov who can run a power play on the left, with RHD Tristan Luneau coming up soon as well who can run a PP. Ducks will be looking to make room for Stian Solberg at some point. I think Lacombe could be on the move at some point in the next year or so and could be a value add for DET.
Did anyone else see Debrincat come to Kane's aid against. Bruins? And did you see Copp stroll up 5 seconds later and grab no one? THIS is a symptom of a F'd up team. I wrote it before, Copp and Rasmussen need to drop the gloves at least 3 times in the next 10 games. These MF pansies are worthless for being passionate. Fight or move them out.
Stevie traded hockey players for figure skaters. No cap. This team is weak on the boards, weak in front of the net, just plain weak team. Quite honestly , it’s embarrassing that all the shots are from angles 10 to 15 feet outside of the net without someone there to deflect. I’m not sure if it’s yzerman or if the league is just that watered down and wimpy? This brand of figure skating is hard to watch.
Nobody wants to blame Yzerman. Lalonde is in the same position as Blashill. You need players to coach! The cupboard was bare when Yzerman got here, I get it, but it’s been SIX years and it’s the same team as 2021! I seriously don’t think Lalonde is the answer but I don’t believe it’s his fault either. This is Yzerman fault. Pure and simple.
I broke the same bone as ovi did over the summer and I was able to run in 5-6 weeks and was walking without a boot 3 days after the injury so it's definitely the "easiest" bone break to recover from in the leg. Still sucks but I sure hope to see him break that record this season
NPC NHL players lmao
Bring in Federov in the off-season. That also facilitates Buchelnikov coming over sooner.
Hate to say it I’m watching CHL vs USA. They could beat my beloved wings 😢
Such a great take on Zegras playstyle being similar to Kane. Hed be such a nice piece for the wings to add