Winging It In Motown

Ty Smith is the best in the West; so why isn’t he being talked about more? Ty Smith, Spokane Chiefs (WHL) The Numbers Position: Defense Age on Draft Day: 18 Height/Weight: 5’10”, 176 lbs. 2017-2018 Stats: 69 GP, 73 points (14-59—73) Projection: Top-four two-way defenseman If ever there was an organizational need right now in Detroit, it would be a mobile, puck-moving defenseman. Well, Ty Smith is exactly that. The 18-year-old has elite skating ability and is very much in the mix as the next best blueline prospect in this draft not named Rasmus Dahlin — but, we know the Red Wings...

Dobson has the size and the skill to be one of this year’s top blue-liners in the draft Noah Dobson - Acadie–Bathurst Titan (QMJHL) Position: DefenseBorn: 1/7/00- Summerside, PE, CANHeight/Weight: 6’3” , 176 lbs 2017-18 Stats: 67 GP, 17 G, 52 A Projection: Top ten pick - top-pairing defenseman It’s no secret that the 2018 NHL Draft will feature some very talented young defensemen and several of them will most likely be selected early in the first round. Noah Dobson of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan could very well be the second blue-liner drafted behind Rasmus Dahlin. So what makes...

In Red Wings Land Detroit Red Wings won’t give qualifying offer to free agent Martin Frk | Freep I don’t mind this decision and it doesn't necessarily mean Martin Frk won’t be back. Frk is what he is. If he’s on the 4th line next season, that’s cool. If he’s in the press box, that’s cool too. If he’s out of the NHL and it opens up a roster spot for someone like Evgeny Svechnikov, it’s also cool. Don’t be surprised if veteran NHL coach Dan Bylsma re-surfaces this week behind an NHL bench as an assistant coach. DET is the most likely landing spot.— Bob McKenzie...

Jay Tuohey Just me and some Banners “You got good seats?” That question flashed across my mind as I parked my car and walked in through the giant door near the zamboni garage at Joe Louis Arena. It’s a door I’ve walked by and through hundreds of times. This time was different, however, because I wasn’t walking in to see or work a game. I was there to pick up some seats. Seats that had endured more than 3 decades of hockey. But why was that specific question in my head? At first I thought it may have been the “First Come First Served” basis of the sale...

Oliver Wahlstrom, U.S. National Team Development Program The Numbers Position: Center/Right Wing Age on Draft Day: 18 Height/Weight: 6’1”, 208 lbs. 2017-2018 Stats: 62 GP, 94 points (48-46—94) Projection: Top-four goal-scoring forward I’ll say it right now, Oliver Wahlstrom is the draft’s premiere goal-scoring talent. He seethes dynamic edge-of-your-seat ability, and has a frame that suggests he could develop into an impact power-forward-like player. He’s seen plenty of time at center, but I’m not entirely sure if that’s what he’ll be when he gets to the next level. It...

In Red Wings Land Red Wings draft picks: 10 biggest hits | Detroit News This right here is just a reminder of how amazing the Red Wings 1989 draft class was. My only argument with Ted’s list here are his choices at #8 and #9. I would’ve gone with Slava Kozlov over both of them. Around the League Kotkaniemi surges into top five of TSN Draft Ranking I’m still #TeamHughes all the way, but I think I’ve come around on the idea of drafting Jesperi Kotkaniemi if he’s there at #6 and Hughes is gone. You can never have too many good centers. How things fell apart between Barry Trotz,...

Alexis Gravel, Halifax Mooseheads The Numbers Position: Goalie Catches: Right DOB: March 21, 2000 (18 yrs old) Birthplace: Berlin, Germany Height/Weight: 6’3, 222 pounds 2017-2018 Stats: 39 GP, 3.38 GAA, 0.890 SV% Projected Selection: Late second round Projected Future: Large, but not necessarily in charge Quick note that his birthplace is misleading, Gravel was born in Germany because his father was playing hockey there, they moved to Italy for a few years, and moved back to Canada when Gravel was 6 years old. Anyway, more Like Alexis BOULDER amirite? Gravel is a big fella, and he...

In Red Wings Land Detroit Red Wings 2017 NHL Draft: Michael Rasmussen looks promising | Freep I absolutely HATED the Michael Rasmussen pick last year. However, I’ll gladly admit I think I’m going to be wrong. The kid is likely to make the Red Wings roster out of camp and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a solid rookie season. Quinn Hughes’ hockey roots helped prepare him for NHL Draft | Sportsnet In regards to this year’s NHL Draft, I’m #TeamHughes all the way. Around the League Voices of the Game: Katie Strang writes the stories that are hardest to tell | Raw...

In Red Wings Land This is a long, but good conversation about the Red Wings and the draft between Darren Eliot, Art Regner, Ken Daniels and (likely future GM) Kris Draper. Around the League What Max Domi brings to Canadiens over Alex Galchenyuk | Sportsnet Did the Canadiens make another dumb trade?

It seems to be down to 6 at 6 for the Red Wings, so we want to know who would you take? Plus, with 3 picks in the 30’s, the 1st 2 Rounds will be very interesting for Detroit This will be a lengthy 2-parter with a lot of information to help everyone get even more prepared for next week, so bear with me. The draft is fast approaching, and this will be a huge few days for the future of the Detroit Red Wings. By now, especially if you follow WIIM actively, you know a good amount of the who, what, when, why portion of next Friday’s draft, so let’s jump right into it with the pick everyone...

In Red Wings Land Detroit Red Wings set sights on several free agents | MLive The front office met this week for four days of pro scouting meetings and identified some free agents to pursue - a couple of goal-scoring forwards, a defenseman and a back-up goaltender. Left wing Ilya Kovalchuk is at the top of their wish list. They’d be willing to give him a two-year contract at a high salary, a source said. They believe he’s capable of scoring 25 to 30 goals. I’m on board with the idea of Kovalchuk. I don’t even mind a high AAV as long as it’s only a one or two year contract. The...

Detroit Begins Preseason Slate with Three-Straight Home Games DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today announced their 2018-19 preseason schedule. The Red Wings will hit the ice for the first time in 2018-19 by hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena. That matchup starts a stretch of three home games in four days, with contests against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and the Boston Bruins on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7:00 p.m. Detroit will then travel for four road games in a six-day span, visiting Pittsburgh on...

With the 30th pick in the 2018 SB Nation NHL Mock Draft, the Red Wings take center Jay O’Brien out of the USHS-Prep’s Thayer Academy. After taking defenseman Adam Boqvist at 6th overall, we decided to take a center with our final 1st round pick. O’Brien had staggering numbers as a senior with the Thayer Academy Tigers (a program that has produced players like Charlie Coyle, Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick), his 43 goals and 80 points were enough to lead the league in scoring. The all-American pivot is set to play with Providence College this upcoming season. NHL CSS - 32 (NA)Future...

Defense should be the name of the game come draft time for the Red Wings, and Jonny Tychonick could help that need with picks 30, 33 or 36 Jonathan “Jonny” Tychonick, Penticton Vees (BCHL)BIO Position: D (Left-handed) Age on Draft Day: 18 Height/Weight: 6’0”/174 2017-18 Stats: 48 GP, 9 G, 38 A, +0 Projection: Top-four defenseman About Jonny Tychonick is one of those players who just gets it. The North Dakota commit has had nothing but rave reviews about his hockey IQ since he first started getting noticed growing up. His hockey IQ has helped him climb up draft boards seemingly...

In Red Wings Land Corey settles the Chychrun vs. Hronek/Cholowski debate. Kind of. https://t.co/zxd7SMxLXK— The Athletic (@TheAthleticDET) June 14, 2018 Plenty of Red Wings notes in Craig Custance’s latest Full 60 podcast with guest Corey Pronman. Below are the time stamps for the interested Detroit-related discussion. 31:50 - The topic is Quinn Hughes and Custance says “there’s this perception, and I haven’t talked to Jeff Blashill about this, but that Jeff Blashill came back and reported to the Red Wings that he really, really liked him.” 41:22 - Custance askes Pronman...