The Left Wing Lock

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The Red Wings want Gustav Nyquist, but does the young Swede want the Red Wings this year or next year? The 5-foot-11, 170 pound forward is in his junior season with the University of Maine. The team was eliminated from the Hockey East playoffs on Saturday in a 6-2 loss to the fourth seeded Merrimack College. Maine, which is a perennial entry into the NCAA Division I hockey championships, will likely be on the outside looking  in when the tournament starts this year. If that happens it will essentially end Nyquist’s season and possibly his collegiate hockey career.

With … Continue Reading

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Zedo Chara’s hit on Max Pacioretty on Tuesday night was yet another black eye for the NHL. The scary incident (which can be seen here) left the young Montreal Canadien forward with a severe concussion and a non-displaced fracture to the fourth cervical vertebra in his neck.

The hit was legal, but it was extremely dangerous and could have been avoided. Instead, Chara caught Pacioretty in a very vulnerable position leaving him little chance to brace for the impact and the result was the possible end to a bright hockey career. The incident occurred along the corner glass near the … Continue Reading

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Darren Helm’s feet have always been faster than hands. The 5-foot-11, 195 pound forward is one of the fastest players in the NHL, but he hasn’t always been able to capitalize on that blazing speed.

The former fifth round selection in the 2005 NHL draft has developed into a solid bottom six forward for the Red Wings. He is also a staple on Detroit’s penalty kill where his speed routinely results in shorthanded opportunities. Thus far this season, he’s converted just two of these chances.

Helm is one of those player’s whose game isn’t measured in statistics alone. He provides a … Continue Reading

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The Red Wings had high hopes for Thomas McCollum when they selected him 30th overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft. Unfortunately the 21 year-old netminder has struggled in his first two season with Grand Rapids of the AHL.

McCollum had a shaky rookie campaign posting 3.48 goals against and a .881 save percentage in just 32 starts. The Sanborn, New York native had even worse numbers in his four games with Toledo of the AHL.
The 6-foot-2, 210 pound goaltender had hopes of regaining his confidence and posting stronger numbers entering this season while getting a chance to learn from … Continue Reading

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The Red Wings haven’t made winning games easy on themselves lately. While injuries and poor defensive zone coverage have been problems this season, of bigger concern is the Wings lackluster starts.

Saturday night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres highlighted this problem. The Red Wings were outplayed by the Sabres in the first period  allowing them to score two early goals taking a 2-0 lead in the game. The Red Wings eventually came back winning the game 3-2 in overtime, this pattern of late starts has become far too common place.

It is a long season and injuries and travel take a … Continue Reading

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“You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours.” Herb Brooks (RIP)

Thirty-one years ago today a group of American born college students completed the unthinkable. Having already defeated the mighty Russians 4-3, the unsung Americans would come from behind and defeat team Finland 4-2 to take the gold medal.

Much has been said and written about this team of upstart Americans who were virtually unknown playing in the college ranks. Their opponents were older and better – at least on paper – and none was better than team Russia who essentially fielded … Continue Reading

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Jonathan Ericsson seems to be slipping back to bad habits. After starting the season strong, the 26 year-old defenseman is starting to make mental mistakes that are costing the Red Wings.

Tonight’s offensive zone turnover to Ryan Clowe was just the latest example of poor decision making by the big Swede. Clowe blocked Ericsson’s shot and skated the puck in on a breakaway eventually scoring on a defenseless Jimmy Howard.

The play was reminiscent of last season where Ericsson struggled to find his game. The Karlskrona, Sweden native told the media in November of 2010 that he had been understandably … Continue Reading

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The Red Wings look like a completely different team than the one that lost 3-0 and 4-1 to the Nashville Predators just last week. Detroit is now on a five game winning streak after a shootout win against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.

The Wings, who have struggled with consistency and turnovers all season, have played some their best hockey all season. They even seem to be playing better defensively while out scoring the opposition by a 22 to 9 margin.

The turning point came after a horrendous 4-1 loss to Nashville which saw a depleted Red Wings struggle to keep … Continue Reading

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The Red Wings secured a piece of their future by inking Jan Mursak to a two-year contract extension. Mursak, who is out of waiver options after this season, could play in Detroit full time next season.

The 23 year-old forward play 17 games in the NHL this season, scoring his first career goal. Mursak proved he could play at the NHL level with his speed and skill. The Maribor, Slovenia native has vastly improved his defensive game after spending three full seasons in Grand Rapids.

Mursak’s path to the NHL hasn’t always been smooth and his position in the Red Wings … Continue Reading

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There wasn’t anything shocking about the Red Wings selecting a smallish skilled Swede late in the 2008 NHL draft. The surprise came when Gustav Nyquist announced his plans to attend the University of Maine later that year.

Nyquist, who is currently in his junior year with Maine, is taking an unconventional development path for a Swedish born player. The 21 year-old forward chose to leave home early to learn the North American game in the hopes of eventually playing at the professional level. His strong work ethic, all around game and hockey sense have helped him become a key player for the … Continue Reading