The Left Wing Lock

Follow

Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul at Red Wings 2011 training camp

The Red Wings recently announced the signing of defensemen Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul to three-year entry level contracts. After strong training camps followed by impressive CHL seasons, both players were rewarded with early contracts.

Ouellet is a classic Detroit defenseman in the making. The 6-foot, 187-pound blueliner is a strong puck moving defenseman who also plays responsibly in his own end. The Bayonne, France native piled up 21 goals and 60 points in 63 games … Continue Reading

Follow

The deep bone bruise that is sidelining Nicklas Lidstrom is also giving the Red Wings a glimpse into their future. The 41 year-old defenseman has been a linchpin for Detroit throughout his 20 NHL season. Lidstrom has already sat eight games – the most consecutive games missed in his career – and with no signs of improvement his return date remains unknown.

Without Lidstrom, the Red Wings have struggled winning just three games during his absence. To make matters worse, Detroit’s powerplay has been anything but an advantage. The special … Continue Reading

Follow

Will the Red Wings Re-sign Thomas McCollum?

Outside of Jimmy Howard and Joey MacDonald, this season has not been kind to goaltenders in Detroit’s farm system. Ty Conklin, who was supposed to be the Wings back-up goalie, is now in Grand Rapids trying to find his game after putting up a dismal 3.40 goals against and .878 save percentage in just 11 NHL games. The 35 year-old veteran has already improved with the Griffins posting a 1.40 goals against and a .940 save percentage in three … Continue Reading

Follow

I appeared on the February 27th edition of the Detroit Sports Site Podcast talking about the NHL trade deadlines and the Red Wings lack of movement. To listen to the show click here. My segment begins at the 101.7 mark.

Follow

The Red Wings bolstered their blueline Wednesday by re-acquiring Kyle Quincey for a 2012 first round draft selection and prospect Sebastien Piche. The Wings lost the 6-foot-2, 206 pound defenseman in 2008 after he lost a training camp battle for the seventh and final roster spot to Derek Meech. Quincey, who was Detroit’s fourth round draft selection in the 2003 NHL entry draft, most notably saw 13 games of playoff action during the 2007 playoff run playing his steady physical game and earning the trust of the … Continue Reading

Follow

Would the Wings be willing to part with Jiri Hudler or another roster player at the deadline?

With the NHL trade deadline approaching, there are no shortage of rumors involving the Detroit Red Wings. Ken Holland is on record stating that he is looking to add to his defensive depth. Other analysts have speculated that Detroit is pursuing a top six forward and until recently that speculation centered on Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky. The latest speculation is that the Red Wings, who have a number of … Continue Reading

Follow

Valtteri Filppula is having the kind of season that’s been expected for the past four seasons. Now in his sixth full season with the Detroit Red Wings, the 27 year-old forward is becoming the dynamic offensive player that the Wings coaching staff has long thought he could be. Through 47 games this season, Filppula has 15 goals and 39 points and is just a single point shy of his career best point total of 40 during the 2008-2009.

The Vantaa, Finland native became the first Finnish born player to ever play … Continue Reading

Follow

Photo Courtesy: Larry Wong/Edmonton Journal/Postmedia News

Petr Mrazek has become the star of the 2012 World Junior Championship. The 6-foot, 162 pound netminder has been the backbone of the Czech Republic team which eventually fell to the Russians eliminating them from medal contention. Mrazek’s most impressive outing was the 52 stop 5-2 victory over team USA sending them to the relegation bracket.

The 19 year-old goalie has become known for his exuberant on-ice celebrations following big saves or key goals for his team. But Mrazek has every reason to be excited with his … Continue Reading

Follow

Jakub Kindl has become an everyday player for the Red Wings. The 24 year-old defenseman played just 48 games in his rookie season in Detroit. This season he’s already played 31 games and is solidly entrenched on the third pairing along side Jonathan Ericsson.

Despite his solid play last year, questions surrounded Kindl entering this season especially in light of the departures of several veteran defensemen and the acquisition of Ian White and Mike Commodore. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound blueliner is making believers out of his skeptics and has already doubled … Continue Reading

Follow

I appeared on Episode 22 of TP:60 hosted by my friends over at The Production Line. Check out the full episode to hear Red Wings prospect Mitch Callahen, Nick Barnowski of Nick’s Sports Blog, and my segment in the last 30 minutes. We cover an array of subjects from the current status of the Red Wings and their organizational depth. Thanks to the crew at the Production Line for having me on. To listen to the show click here.