Theo Rochette Has a REAL Shot?! McLellan Takes Notice at Red Wings Camp

Theo Rochette Has a REAL Shot?! McLellan Takes Notice at Red Wings Camp



Press conference:

Theo Rochette continues to make noise for the Detroit Red Wings — and now he appears to have caught the attention of head coach Todd McLellan.
On the final day of training camp, Rochette skated on one of Detroit’s “NHL” lines, and when McLellan was asked about the young center, he acknowledged that Rochette “has a shot” to make the team.
But how much should we read into it?
Several players, including Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, weren’t participating as they had the day off ahead of Detroit’s first preseason game. The Red Wings roster remains very much in flux, and the lines we saw at camp certainly aren’t guaranteed to be the lines we see on opening night.
Still, Rochette has done just about everything he could to get noticed. After an impressive prospect tournament and a strong training camp, he has brought speed, offense and excitement to the competition for an NHL job.
Today on 7 Minute Wings, we’ll talk about Rochette’s opportunity, McLellan’s comments, what these final camp lines really mean, and where Rochette could fit into Detroit’s plans.
Even if Theo Rochette doesn’t make the Red Wings opening-night roster, he may be putting himself near the top of the list when Detroit needs its first call-up.
Has Rochette done enough to earn an NHL opportunity?
#DetroitRedWings #RedWings #TheoRochette #LGRW #NHL #RedWingsTrainingCamp #ToddMcLellan #7MinuteWings

View Comments (26)
  1. lol I was just going to message you to keep an eye on your boy Rochette, having just watched this same Wings post. Those seem to be pretty favorable words. For me this would help heal the wound I still feel from them trading Lombardi. I think Lombardi is the smarter player, however Rochette seems like the more aggressive and hungry player.

    In yesterday’s access video he did a good job of explaining what they are allowed to do with NHL and I assume player association rules.

    Ras needs a big year. I think he’s already on borrowed time. When I think about coach talking about jerseys on the ice, Rasmussen is the first guy I think of. The fact that he is probably the second longest tenured Wing… I don’t feel he’s earned his spot since he was extended. He has one year on his contract remaining after this… I’m looking to waive him or buy him out if they can’t ship him at the trade deadline… unless he proves he wants to be here.

  2. I really like Todd Mclellan. I feel like he has a little bit of Tortorella fire in him. I would wager that Todd hasn't forgotten the "jerseys" from last year, especially the last game of the year. I think if a young guy skates faster and tries harder than a veteran player, Todd will seriously consider benching the veteran this time around.

  3. Another question Larkin for Jason Robertson straight up sign and trade. Raymond/Bear/ Robertson 1st line. Would you pull the trigger? Werenski would probably want to go to Dallas if Larkin was there. Columbus would have the money to keep Fantilli and Marchenko. I do think Rochette needs a shot.

  4. I really like what I've seen from Rochette thus far (very small sample size). It would be great if he were this season's Finne. My guess is that he starts in GR and they call him up do to injury or poor play by a vet. He's been exciting to watch thus far. Also liked what the Toddfather says about he doesn't lose speed carrying the puck. I just feel with Danielson, Mazur, MBN, etc., he'd really need to stun the coaches to start in Detroit.

  5. The time has come to punt the vets Ras and Appleton off the roster for youth. They have had their chance in past year, and at this time are nothing more than 'jerseys' holding back more talented kids. Play the kids

  6. Wow 6-0 Gr Griffins! Hi love your Babies! I rescued 23 cats since late 80s😂❤I wish they would try and trade Rasmussen😂😂 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤔 Busssssssst! My god and a few others should be ready to be waived so we can bring up the young studs!🍺

  7. I'm gonna ask this question again Larkin for Nikishin, Unger Sorum, and 1st rounder or 2. Larkin would get a cup or 2 with Carolina and we'd have Raymond/Bear/Unger Sorum with Seider/Nikishin, ASP/Edvinsson, and AntJo/ Wallinder. Trade Faulk and fleece a team while doing so. Then you'd have Debrincat/Kasper or Copp/ Ardvidson. Then Finnie/Kasper or Danielson/MBN. Would you pull the trigger on Larkin to Carolina? At this point Larkin is a cancer that has to go.

  8. Lets face it, they are going to suck this year…and we all should be fine with that. The young guys need to play as much as possible. Guys like Gompher, Raz, and Appleton will need to sit as much as possible and ideally they get traded sooner rather than later. Same with Faulk, but that's another topic for another day. This season is NOT about winning and loosing, its about developing the young guys…if they don't embrace that we are in for 10 more years of pain.

  9. I think Rasmussen and Appleton would not survive waivers so don't want to lose those guys for nothing. I think Horcoff should start the process of packaging a trade to have ready. Around the 10 game mark some teams may be ready to make a change and could possiblly get some draft picks for them

  10. Four separate thoughts:
    1) I believe Mclellan is a no BS kinda guy who will find another player for anyone not doing their job. I like his coaching style.
    Maybe it's the haircut, and looking like a bulldog. 😉

    2) Watching recent interviews with Cat, Seider, and Edvinson, they are focused on getting off to a good start and not being distracted by all the front office/former captain issues. They've also showed a great deal of grace for Larkin, which is commendable.

    3) Reserving the right to review, after one month of regular season play, but I'd love to see them have a great start, ESPECIALLY from their youngest players.

    4) Put the C on Mo, or Cat,
    BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS!!!

  11. Gotta break some eggs to make an omelet! Last year I remember rooting for Raz, just hoping he'd come through. But he seemed to consistently flub, and very rarely finish. With all these young and eager – plus skillful – new skaters, I just don't see the need to keep giving some of these perennial "depth players" another chance. I agree with you here. Rochette is looking pretty darned good. Will be interesting to see what comes. There's a reason players go on waivers, and there's a reason you have a farm system.

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