Detroit Red Wings Clips September 25, 2015
Detroit Red Wings
PAGE 2
Wings' Datsyuk (ankle surgery) should skate in two weeks
PAGE 3
Game thread: Red Wings beat Penguins, 6-1, in exhibition
PAGE 4
Det. 6, Pitt. 1: Larkin, Pulkkinen star in Mule's return
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Red Wings rout Penguins 'B' team
PAGE 9
Krupa: Franzen, back from injury, fires up
PAGE 11
Wings’ Sheahan looks to step up his offense
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Red Wings, Penguins to play OT hockey — tied or not
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Red Wings’ Franzen ready to return
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Teemu Pulkkinen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin shine as Red Wings roll to
preseason victory
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Second-period analysis: Red Wings 4, Penguins 0
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First-period analysis: Red Wings 3, Penguins 0
PAGE 20
Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk can begin skating in two weeks, on schedule in
recovery from ankle surgery
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Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Count on overtime tonight regardless of
score after 60 minutes
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Red Wings vs. Penguins: Dylan Larkin's home debut, three-on-three OT
regardless of score, the lineup
PAGE 25
Red Wings' Johan Franzen looks forward to 'some real bumping and hits'
tonight in preseason debut
PAGE 27
Detroit Red Wings' Tomas Tatar driven to be a 'go-to guy' like Pavel
Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg
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Hometown boy Dylan Larkin's two goals are highlight of big night by Red
Wings prospects
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Larkin doing everything he can to make Wings' decision a tough one
PAGE 34
USA TODAY / Detroit Red Wings preview: Starting life without Mike
Babcock
Wings' Datsyuk (ankle surgery) should skate in two weeks
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 2:14 a.m. EDT September 25, 2015
Pavel Datsyuk cleared the three-month hurdle of his recovery and appears on target to
return.
The Detroit Red Wings' forward underwent ankle surgery June 26. He saw the surgeon
for a checkup Thursday and shared the results on social media.
"Great News!" Datsyuk tweeted. "Had a good doctor visit. Recovery from the ankle
surgery is on schedule. See you soon back in Detroit."
The Wings don't expect Datsyuk back before mid-November.
General manager Ken Holland told the Free Press that Datsyuk should start "skating in
two weeks."
The injury happened late last regular season when Datsyuk took a puck to the ankle.
Doctors initially thought rest would do the trick, but after two months with no
improvement, surgery was needed.
■Howe great: The Wings were treated to a visit from Gordie Howe at Wednesday
night's exhibition game. Howe was accompanied by son Mark Howe, a scout with the
Wings. "It was awesome to see he is doing well and he is in good spirits," Justin
Abdelkader said. "He walked around, shook guys' hands." Howe, 87, has made a
remarkable comeback after strokes and dementia left him in such bad shape that family
members were preparing eulogies last Christmas. Two rounds of stem-cell treatment
have helped improve the quality of life for the hockey legend.
"I've worked closely with Mark Howe, so I have been able to track Gordie's progress
through Mark, and so to see Mr. Howe here and how well he is doing and how well he is
walking, it is just incredible," coach Jeff Blashill said. "I think it is really what separates
this organization from lots of organizations, is the history of success and the history of
great, great players. To have Gordie here, to have Ted Lindsay around, is a neat, neat
thing."
Howe lives in Sylvania, Ohio, with son Murray Howe and his family. Murray is head of
radiology at ProMedica Toledo Hospital.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.25.2015
2 Game thread: Red Wings beat Penguins, 6-1, in exhibition
Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press 10:26 p.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Tomas Tatar's hat trick lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 victory over the defending
Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at Joe Louis Arena in
the Wings' second game of the eight-game exhibition slate.
It was a winning home debut for first-year coach Jeff Blashill, despite the Wings being
outshot, 31-25.
Petr Mrazek started in goal and stopped all 16 shots sent his way, before leaving early
in the second period for Jared Coreau in a pre-planned move.
Tatar opened the scoring in the first period, and added two third-period goals after
Justin Abdelkader's go-ahead goal at 16:05 of the second period.
Tonight, the Wings play their third game in three nights as they host the Pittsburgh
Penguins.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.25.2015
3 Det. 6, Pitt. 1: Larkin, Pulkkinen star in Mule's return
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 12:07 a.m. EDT September 25, 2015
The young guys looked at home, and just as importantly for the Detroit Red Wings, so
did the oldest guy in their lineup.
Prospects Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and Teemu Pulkkinen injected energy and
plentiful production into Thursday's exhibition game against the Penguins at Joe Louis
Arena, assisted by Johan Franzen as he reappeared after an eight-month absence.
The Wings made an early grasp at the eventual 6-1 victory. The game went to overtime
regardless, in what was a pre-planned move to provide a taste of the new 3-on-3
format.
The bigger takeaway was just how promising the future is. Larkin, the top prospect in
Detroit's organization, scored his second goal with 9.9 seconds to go in regulation.
Teemu Pulkkinen had two goals and two assists, and Bertuzzi had a goal and three
assists.
Veteran Drew Miller also scored and Jimmy Howard made 34 saves around a lone goal
from Beau Bennett.
"We felt like the whole lineup played pretty well, and certainly some of those young guys
played well, " Blashill said. "That Bertuzzi-Larkin-Pulkkinen had a good night from a
points standpoint, but I thought they had a good night overall."
Bertuzzi squeezed in a goal at 13:23 of the first period. He next drew a penalty that
provided a 44-second two-man power play, which saw Franzen have a hand in the goal
scored by Larkin.
"To put on a game like that, where we circling around and swarming their net was a lot
of fun," Larkin said. "I couldn't help but to smile. It was pretty cool to hear that horn. It's
something I'll remember for a long time."
For Bertuzzi, it was an opportunity to play on the same sheet of ice where not that long
ago his uncle, Todd Bertuzzi, skated for the Wings. The younger Bertuzzi entered camp
after a solid pro debut last season with Grand Rapids, and looks like a future NHLer. He
set up each of his linemates, including lobbing a pass to Pulkkinen for a breakaway.
"I know you can get Teemu the puck and it is going to go in," Bertuzzi said. "Dylan, he is
a fast skater, good with the puck. I just tried to find them. We worked together really
good as a line. Being able to produce points was really fun."
Pulkkinen scored in the first and third periods, furthering his case for a spot in the
lineup. He is on the 23-man roster because he is out of waiver exemptions, so these
next 10 days are about securing playing minutes.
"That's what I have to do here," Pulkkinen said. "It helps when you score goals, you feel
better."
4 Exhibition season generally is a chance for teams to assess the next generation of
players. But Thursday's game was an important first test for Franzen, who hadn't played
since a blindside hit Jan. 6 at Edmonton left him with his fourth head injury.
Franzen's approach was to not be tenative.
"I'm not going to be afraid to go into corners and throwing hits," he said. "That's the last
thing I think about right now.
"Hopefully, I will have a healthy season. Just stay healthy and have fun. I really missed
it. Hopefully, my head can handle it."
Coach Jeff Blashill wanted to see a player who isn't tentative.
"I want Johan Franzen to be Johan Franzen," Blashill said. "He has been a good player
in this league for a long time, so I want him to do what he does best. He is a very
accountable defensive player who has a great ability to score goals."
Blashill put Franzen with fellow big body Riley Sheahan at center and speedy Luke
Glendening on the right wing, a grouping that features energy, skating, size and scoring.
It is a potential third line with the ability to wreak havoc on opponents, who will have
used their best defenders on the top two lines. Franzen had produced seven goals
among 22 points in 33 games last season before he was hurt.
"When he is healthy, he is one of our best players," Sheahan said. "He seems like he
has got more energy and he is happy and joking around in the locker room. I think he is
back in his right place. He brings a positive vibe to the locker room, and that translates
onto the ice."
Franzen, 35, said he never seriously considered retirement, even as the sports world
has been rocked the past few years with stories of the devastating effects of head
injuries.
"You think about it a little bit," Franzen said. "But there was never a day I took the
decision to quit or play. It was always my intent to keep going."
Franzen used the recovery time to have surgery in May on his right ankle to remove
bone spurs. As for his head, he manages intermittent pain.
"After that last concussion, it's a little different, but I have learned to deal with it,"
Franzen said. "I kind of know how to treat myself, and how to get rid of them. I still have
headaches and all that, but it is under control."
Should he be sidelined again, the Wings can put Franzen on long-term injury reserve
and gain his salary as cap space. He is signed through 2019-20 with an annual salary
cap hit of $3.95 million.
Lurking on Larkin: That Larkin (Wateford) handled playing before a hometown crowd so
well is no surprise given how grounded a young man he is, even at 19. "Dylan has a
maturity level way beyond his years," Blashill said. "That struck me right away when he
came to play for us last year in Grand Rapids. He's got a real good quiet confidence, he
doesn't have that fake bravado confidence." Larkin estimated he had "hundreds of
family and friends from Waterford here today, and all over Michigan. It was pretty cool to
look up into the stands and see lots of familiar faces in my first game at the Joe."
5 Svechnikov sent down: Evgeny Svechnikov, the Wings' first-round draft pick (19th
overall) this year with a fondness for chocolate milk and cookies (he smilingly revealed
as much in June) was sent back to his junior club (QMJHL Cape Breton).
Ouellet out: Blashill said defenseman Xavier Oeullet is day-to-day with an upper-body
injury.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 09.25.2015
6 Red Wings rout Penguins 'B' team
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 11:51 p.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Detroit — What's the biggest thing the Red Wings have learned from this exhibition
season?
Simply, the depth in the organization is real. And it's quite good.
That was made clear yet again Thursday while the Red Wings were defeating a minor
league-dominated roster of Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-1.
Specifically in this game, the line of Teemu Pulkkinen (two goals, two assists), Dylan
Larkin (two goals) and Tyler Bertuzzi (goal, three assists) was arguably the most
impressive for either team.
Drew Miller added a goal, and goaltender Jimmy Howard stopped 34 shots, the only
goal to beat him being from Pittsburgh's Beau Bennett's in the third period, as the Red
Wings won their second in three exhibition games (2-0-1).
But again, it was the long list of young players who continue to open eyes, led Thursday
by the Larkin line.
"The future is bright," said Larkin, a Waterford native making his professional debut at
Joe Louis Arena. "All the young guys that are here playing. It's a compliment to the
drafting they've done, and the people they've brought in and the players who've put in
the work."
Another positive for the Red Wings was the return of Johan Franzen to the lineup.
Franzen hadn't played since January after suffering a concussion, and played a regular
shift on a line with Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening.
Franzen played 16 minutes and had an assist.
"He looked real good," coach Jeff Blashill said. "I know he's worked hard because I saw
it firsthand; he was in here in August and skating for a long time. He's gotten himself
into good shape and he's eager to play."
Fans got to see even more hockey after regulation time. A five-minute, three-on-three
overtime format was used in an effort to get both teams comfortable with the new rule.
The NHL is using the three-on-three format this season in an effort to have fewer games
decided by the shootout.
But a Penguins penalty in overtime curtailed the 3-on-3 and gave the Red Wings a
power play (Sergei Plotnikov scored shorthanded for Pittsburgh, although it didn't count
in the final score).
But if this were a regular game, overtime would have been hardly needed.
Bertuzzi, Larkin and Pulkkinen all scored first-period goals to decide the outcome early.
7 "We worked together real good as a line, found each other, and rewarded ourselves,"
Bertuzzi said.
Larkin, the Waterford native making his first professional appearance at Joe Louis
Arena, made it 2-0 on a five-on-three Red Wings advantage.
Larkin was all alone to put back the rebound off a Pulkkinen blast, much to the pleasure
of hundreds of Waterford family and friends attending.
"It was pretty cool to look into the stands and see a lot of familiar faces," Larkin said.
"It's pretty cool to see all the support."
With the Red Wings still enjoying a power play, Pulkkinen made it 3-0 at 18:11 on a
pinpoint shot into the upper corner.
The organization's depth is good news for the Red Wings now, said Blashill, be it during
this regular season when injuries are bound to occur — or long term as the young
players blend into the roster.
"The depth can provide us success," Blashill said.
Detroit News LOADED: 09.25.2015
8 Krupa: Franzen, back from injury, fires up
Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News 11:12 p.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Detroit — Nine months after a body check caused another concussion and forced him
from the game he plainly still loves, Johan Franzen is back.
He is also happy. His presence and energy are, once again, welcomed by his
teammates.
A new coach, Jeff Blashill, who is clearly one element of Franzen's upbeat sensibility,
says his scoring and defense are a welcome ingredient, in what the organization hopes
is a successful rookie season for a young coach who replaces one of the best in the
game.
Despite Franzen's series of concussions and concerns across sports about the
cumulative effect on the brain of repeated, violent contact, he said he had no fear of
hits.
He confessed to only the nervousness that comes naturally after not playing a game in
so long.
If the Red Wings are to play into the conference finals for the first time since 2009 with
their roster additions of Mike Green and Brad Richards, it figures that Franzen's
contribution is vital.
"I want Johan Franzen to be Johan Franzen," Blashill said.
"I think he's been a really good player in this league for a long time. He's a very
accountable defensive player who obviously has a lot of ability to score goals."
Prized in hockey since the Red Wings put the uniform on Gordie Howe, big players with
good hands and a scorer's instincts accelerate the heart rates of general managers,
thrill fans and encourage teammates in the belief they can win.
Such is the promise of Franzen in 2015, as it has been throughout his career in Detroit.
But streaky to the point that hot lasts several games and cold for sometimes
considerably longer, Franzen has not always delivered on his promise.
A massive offensive force in the run to the 2008 Stanley Cup, when he broke Howe's
59-year-old record for goals in a playoff series, scoring nine, Franzen also endures
scoreless streaks that feel something like the hockey equivalent of biblical plagues.
And now, he has not played 50 games in a season or scored 20 goals since 2012.
But his reason for enthusiasm is he feels healthy enough to play, now, and if he stays
healthy he believes he can still be a considerable factor.
As he removed his practice gear, seven hours before the game against the Penguins,
the guy who is often the grouchiest bear in the room displayed the joy of a player
returning to his sport, albeit in his shy, quiet way.
9 "Yeah, it's a good feeling," he said. "I really missed it and it's going to be fun, and
hopefully, hopefully my head can handle it and I'll hope for a good year.
"I've been training all summer for this moment, pretty much. It's like the first time I get to
see where I am at, get some real bumps and some real hits out there."
He vowed he would not tentative.
"I'm not worried about that, at all. I'm not going to be afraid to be hit, or throw any hits.
It's the last thing I think about, out there."
In the first two periods, as the game continued, he seemed not at all bashful.
Starting it, on a line with Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening, his hands were on
display, setting up one of the Wings' early scoring opportunities, and stealing the puck
to erase what looked like a breakaway opportunity and turning into another one – on his
first two shifts.
He looked quick, agile and assertive, and he assisted on the Wings second goal, by
Dylan Larkin. Franzen's game was all skates and hands.
Mike Babcock occasionally described Franzen as enigmatic, and sometimes made it a
point to say he was at a loss for how to get more out of him.
Some fans associate him with the departure of free agent Marian Hossa after the 2009
season. But that assertion carries a malodorous whiff of unfairness. Hossa, hunting for
Stanley Cups, signed with the Blackhawks, who have three in his six seasons.
That said, Franzen's coincidental contract extension at 11 years, through 2019-20 and
at $43.5 million, was both expensive and too lengthy, compared to the sort of production
expected and not received, especially in the last three seasons of injuries.
Franzen also suffers from the big men's contradiction, when — as is the case with Joe
Thornton and some others — scoring skill outduels the aggression one assumes from
size.
Regardless, Franzen says he wants to play, despite enduring once again the scary,
dysfunctional twilight zone of brain injury.
"He's looked great," Sheahan said. "He's fast. "He seems like he's got more energy, and
he's joking around.
"He's happy in the locker room. So, I think he's obviously in the right place."
Franzen thinks so. And minor ankle surgery to clear some debris in the offseason
helped, too.
"I feel good. I was a little worried coming into camp, having had surgery at the end of
last year on my ankle. But it felt really good.
"I'm having fun."
He acknowledged he is as excited about playing as he has been in some time.
"Yeah," he said. "Hopefully, I'll have a healthy kind of season.
"But it starts tonight, and after that I'll go from there."
10 Wings’ Sheahan looks to step up his offense
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 6:54 p.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Detroit — Riley Sheahan isn’t suddenly going to be a full-out gambler on the ice, looking
to break open a game or play, looking to make an offensive play at whatever cost.
That wouldn’t be his style at all.
But while tending to the defensive side of the ice maybe a bit too much his first two
seasons in the NHL, Sheahan might be looking to be more daring offensively this
season.
Most coaches and scouts feel there’s more to his offensive game than Sheahan has
shown thus far.
Sheahan tends to agree.
“I think I held back a little,” said Sheahan, who had 13 goals and 23 asssists in 79
games. “Maybe I can be a little more assertive when it comes to taking the puck to the
net and maybe shooting first, rather than passing.
“Things like that, and little things I tried to work on over the summer, like get a little
stronger so I can be heavy in the corners and things like that.”
At 23, Sheahan is still learning what the NHL is about, and one thing in particular he’s
learned is how difficult it is to be a consistent professional.
It’s been a knock since Sheahan turned pro out of Notre Dame — the tag was with him
in college as well — that Sheahan was consistenly inconsistent.
Having been in the NHL for a period of time now, Sheahan believes he has a better
handle on how to handle the long grind of the schedule.
“Definitely last year I felt I was a little inconsistent,” Sheahan said. “That just comes with
confidence and I think I know that now and put mistakes behind me and focus on
playing a little more confidently and consistently.
“For sure you so play so many games and travel a lot and guys want to make excuses
but the best players in the NHL are the ones who come every game and that’s
something I have to do a better job of.”
Coach Jeff Blashill has coached Sheahan in Grand Rapids (AHL) and feels the 6-foot-3,
222-pound center can be an important two-way force for the Red Wings.
“Riley is an extremely good, two-way center,” Blashill said . “He’s extremely good
defensively, and just continuing to get better at adding the offensive elements to his
game. He’s got it in him.
“He has the ability to be strong on the puck, make passes in small areas and he’s just
going to have to continue to do that.
“Hopefully his arc continues to go up.”
11 Like Blashill, the offensive end is where Sheahan feels there’s more to improve upon
and where there’s room for growth.
But Sheahan doesn’t want to stray too far from the defensive aspects of the game.
“I want to provide a little more offense for us and I can do that,” Sheahan said. “But at
the same time, playing structured and being responsible and making simple plays to
break out.
“It’s just kind of been my game, where I’ve thought of protecting our own zone first and
that’s the right thing to do in many cases. But I can take a few more chances if I know
it’s the right time, rather than hold back.”
Detroit News LOADED: 09.25.2015
12 Red Wings, Penguins to play OT hockey — tied or not
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 6:25 p.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Detroit — Fans attending or watching Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh had an
opportunity to watch overtime hockey — or at least some extra hockey, regardless if the
game is tied after regulation time or not.
With the NHL going to a 3-on-3 overtime format this season, teams are playing certain
games with the bonus hockey included for the evening, regardless of the score.
The league simply wants the teams to get acclimnated and comfortable with the format.
Thursday’s game against Pittsburgh is one of those games just as Tuesday’s game in
Chicago was, although that game ended 4-4 in regulation time. The Blackhawks won in
overtime.
“Just to make sure, teams wanted, and us specifically, wanted to make sure we had
some opportunity to play the 3-on-3 overtime in case none of the (exhibition) games
ended up tied,” coach Jeff Blashill said.
Each team gets to play in three of these types of games in the exhibition season.
The Red Wings’ third such game will occur Oct. 2 in Toronto.
Fans and players alike appear to be warming to the format, which likely will greatly
reduce the number of games that enter into a shootout.
“There’s always 2-on-1’s either way and chances galore,” forward Justin Abdelkader
said. “There’s a lot of speed and skill out there and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Larkin's debut
This, obviously, wasn’t the regular season just yet.
But it was an opportunity for Dylan Larkin to play at Joe Louis Arena, in front of family of
family and friends, and wearing a Red Wings sweater.
The Waterford native was looking forward to the occasion, playing Thursday against the
Pittsburgh Penguins in an exhibition game, but was attempting to downplay it as much
as he could.
The Penguins were scheduled to have Evgeni Malkin in the lineup, but stars Sidney
Crosby and Phil Kessel were not likely to play.
“It’s exciting but it’s another hockey game and you can’t be in awe of who is playing in
their lineup and playing in the game,” Larkin said.
Blashill didn’t think playing in front of family and friends was going to distract Larkin,
who has shown remarkable poise early in his pro career.
“Part of being a pro, or becoming a pro, is learning how to handle any distractions,
though I don’t consider family a distraction," Blashill said. "It’s a great thing for him to be
able to lace up in his hometown and play. He has a tremendous family and they’ll be
13 loud and excited for him. Dylan will handle it and that’s what makes him a pretty special
young guy, that he can handle all those things.
“He seems to have big time maturity beyond his age.”
Ice chips
Goaltender Jimmy Howard will play the entire game against the Penguins, as will Petr
Mrazek on Saturday against Boston.
… Defenseman Xavier Ouellet has yet to play an exhibition game and is listed as dayto-day, Blashill said, with an upper body injury.
… The Red Wings sent forward Evgeny Svechnikov, the 2015 first-round draft pick,
back to his junior team in the Quebec junior league.
“I like his approach,” Blashill said. “He’s a big body who has good physical tools.”
Detroit News LOADED: 09.25.2015
14 Red Wings’ Franzen ready to return
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 1:31 p.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Detroit — The anticipation and excitement was apparent in Johan Franzen, who’ll play
his first game since suffering a concussion Jan. 6 in Edmonton.
Franzen hasn’t been played in an NHL game since. After Thursday’s morning skate
Franzen, 35, was as anxious as a rookie making his debut.
The Red Wings play the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in an exhibition
game at Joe Louis Arena.
“It’s a good feelling, I really missed it,” Franzen said. “It’s going to be fun. Hopefully my
head can handle it.
“I’m hoping for a good year.”
A collision with Edmonton’s Rob Klinkhammer caused Franzen to miss the remainder of
the regular season and playoffs, and ignite talk of possible retirement.
But, Franzen said, that talk was from others.
“My mindset was always to keep playing,” Franzen said. “I’ve been waiting for this all
summer, this moment, and now it’s like the first time. I get to see where I’m at with some
real bumps and hits.”
That remains the biggest question — how Franzen will handle the physical play of the
NHL.
The intrasquad scrimmages Franzen has been through bear no resemblance to an
actual NHL game (even the exhibition season).
But Franzen is optimistic he’ll handle it well.
“Nervous about being hit? No,” Franzen said. “I’m nervous about the game, always a
little nervous about the first game.
“I’m not going to be scared to go into the corners or to hit. That’s the last thing I’m
thinking about now.
“It’s not going to be a huge difference (from the past). It’s going to be hard playing the
first game after being off the whole summer.”
In terms of conditioning, Franzen said he’s further along than he thought, especially
after having right ankle surgery in the spring to remove some bone spurs.
“I feel good,” Franzen said. “I was worried coming into camp after having the surgery
but I felt real good through camp and I’m happy about that. It’s a lot better than it was
before the surgery.
“Hopefully I’ll have a healthy season and it starts tonight.”
Detroit News LOADED: 09.25.2015
15 Teemu Pulkkinen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin shine as Red Wings roll to
preseason victory
Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 10:11 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 10:45 PM
DETROIT – Several young players, some trying to build for the future and others
attempting to earn a spot in the lineup this season, were impressive for the Detroit Red
Wings on Thursday.
Teemu Pulkkinen scored two goals and picked up a pair of assists as the Red Wings
defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 in a preseason game at Joe Louis Arena.
A pair of prospects playing at the Joe for the first time as Red Wings also shined. Tyler
Bertuzzi, the club's third pick in 2013, had a goal and three assists. Top prospect Dylan
Larkin, Detroit's first pick in 2014, scored two goals and had another would-be goal
waived off.
Jimmy Howard played the entire game, making 34 saves.
Johan Franzen played his first game since Jan. 6, when he suffered his most recent
concussion. He assisted on Larkin's first goal. Franzen played on a line with Riley
Sheahan and Luke Glendening.
Playing their third game in three nights, alternating lineups, the Red Wings improved to
2-0-1. Neither team dressed its top players, for the most part. Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas
Tatar, Gustav Nyquist and Niklas Kronwall didn't play for Detroit, while Sidney Crosby
and Phil Kessel didn't dress for Pittsburgh.
Pulkkinen, whose blistering right-handed shot gives the Red Wings a different
dimension, has three goals in two games. He is assured of a roster spot but must play
his way into the lineup.
Pulkkinen scored his second goal of the game at 1:08 of the third period to put his team
ahead 5-0.
Defenseman Nick Jensen had a pair of assists for the Red Wings.
The Red Wings dominated the first period, outshooting the Penguins 15-5 and scoring
three times in a span of 4:48.
Bertuzzi started the rally at 13:23. His shot from the faceoff circle went through Matthew
Murray's five-hole.
Larkin made it 2-0 at 16:44, during a five-on-three advantage. He tapped in the rebound
of a shot by Pulkkinen into an open net.
Pulkkinen scored on the power play at 18:11. He fired a sharp-angle shot from close
range that caught the top far corner of the net.
16 Drew Miller scored the only goal of the second period, deflecting in a shot from the point
by Brian Lashoff. Larkin scored his second goal of the game with 9.9 seconds remaining
in regulation.
Beau Bennett ruined Howard's shutout bit by scoring at 10:44 of the third.
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
17 Second-period analysis: Red Wings 4, Penguins 0
Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 9:10 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 9:28 PM
DETROIT – The Red Wings got the only goal of the period with 2:32 left.
Brian Lashoff threw the puck at the net from the left point and it deflected off Drew
Miller's body and past Matthew Murray. Nick Jensen drew the other assist.
The Penguins outshot the Red Wings 11-7 but Detroit controlled the play for the second
straight period.
Jimmy Howard has made 16 saves for the Red Wings.
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
18 First-period analysis: Red Wings 3, Penguins 0
Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 8:20 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 9:47 PM
DETROIT – As The Who might say, The Kids Are Alright.
Youngsters Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin and Teemu Pulkkinen scored goals in a period
that was dominated by the Red Wings, who outshot the Sidney Crosby-less Penguins
15-5.
Bertuzzi opened the scoring at 13:23 before Larkin and Pulkkinen put back rebounds 87
seconds apart. Johan Franzen, playing his first game since January because of a
concussion, assisted on Larkin's goal, which came on the power play.
Bertuzzi and Pulkkinen also picked up assists.
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
19 Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk can begin skating in two weeks, on schedule in
recovery from ankle surgery
Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 7:48 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 7:59 PM
DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk can begin skating in two weeks,
general manager Ken Holland said.
Datsyuk saw Dr. Robert Anderson Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., and was told he is on
schedule in his recovery from ankle surgery on June 26.
The Red Wings expect Datsyuk to return by mid-November. He is expected to start the
season on long-term injured reserve, requiring him to miss at least 24 days and 10
games.
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
20 Detroit Red Wings Gameday: Count on overtime tonight regardless of score after
60 minutes
Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 3:03 PM
GAME INFORMATION
Who: Detroit Red Wings (1-0-1) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Joe Louis Arena
TV: Fox Sports Detroit
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) and Red Wings radio network
Social media: Follow MLive Sports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Twitter: Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage
Live coverage: Join the MLive open thread at 6:30 p.m. ET.
GAME NOTES
• Tonight's game will go into overtime regardless of the score after 60 minutes. It's part
of the NHL's plan to help teams get accustomed to the new 3-on-3 OT format that will
be used this season. Each team will have three of its preseason games go into OT so
the new format can be employed. OT will last up to five minutes. This is the second of
the Red Wings' three OT trials. The first was supposed to be Tuesday night in Chicago
but that game went to overtime on its own because the score was tied 4-4 after three
periods. The Red Wings' final mandatory OT preseason game will be Oct. 2 in Toronto.
• Detroit's Tomas Tatar leads all NHL preseason goal scorers with three after getting a
hat trick in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks. Twenty players are tied for
second with two goals. ... Newcomer Brad Richards assisted on all three of Tatar's
goals and is tied for third in that department. ... Tatar, Richards and Tomas Jurco – the
third member of that line Wednesday – are all plus-3 to lead the Red Wings.
• Bad news for Red Wings fans who will be attending tonight's game – the player they
love to boo perhaps more than any other, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, won't be in
the Pittsburgh lineup. In fact, many of the Penguins regulars will remain behind in
Pittsburgh. But the Penguins' lineup will feature Evgeny Malkin and Patric Hornqvist.
PREGAME LINKS
Here are some recent stories to peruse until game time:
• Red Wings' lineup vs. Pens: Dylan Larkin to make home debut
• Johan Franzen looks forward to 'some real bumping and hits' tonight
• Petr Mrazek sharp in goal, Tatar scores three goals in win over Chicago
21 • Tatar driven to be go-to guy like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg
• Watch highlights of Tatar's hat trick in 4-1 win over Blackhawks
• Legendary Gordie Howe makes surprise visit to Joe Louis Arena
• Red Wings expect to benefit from Mike Green's 'elite offensive skill'
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
22 Red Wings vs. Penguins: Dylan Larkin's home debut, three-on-three OT
regardless of score, the lineup
Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 1:10 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 1:22 PM
DETROIT – Fans attending tonight's preseason game between the Detroit Red Wings
and Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena (7:30, Fox Sports Detroit) will get a look at
the NHL's new three-on-three overtime format – regardless of the score after regulation.
This is one of the games the league designated for mandatory three-on-three OT.
"If it's not a tie game it still goes into OT, but it will not go into a shootout if there's no
goals scored in the overtime," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "I think some teams,
and us specifically, wanted it to make sure we had some opportunity to play three-onthree in case any of the (preseason) games didn't end up tied."
Larkin's home debut
Top prospect Dylan Larkin, a Waterford native, will make his home preseason debut in
front of many family and friends.
"Part of being a pro, part of becoming a pro is learning how to handle any distractions,
but I don't consider family distractions, I think it's a great thing for him to be able to lace
up in his hometown and play and I know he'll have lots of family here," Blashill said. "He
has a tremendous family and they'll be loud and excited for him. Dylan will handle it.
That's what makes Dylan a pretty special young guy, that he can handle all those things
and he seems to have a big-time maturity beyond his age."
Top pick Svechnikov back to juniors
Forward Evgeny Svechnikov, the club's 2015 top pick, was assigned to his junior club,
Cape Breton of the Quebec League, after one preseason game.
"He's got a great approach. He's real strong on the puck and he's got good offensive
ability," Blashill said. "He can protect it, he can make plays in tight areas, he's got a real
ability to pass the puck and I know he can score.
"He's going to have to continue to score to prove that but he's got real good hands. He
looks like a big body that has real good physical tools, probably different than what
we've had a lot of in terms of our draft picks; we've had some smaller guys with skill."
Ouellet out: Blashill said defenseman Xavier Ouellet is day-to-day with an upper-body
injury. He hasn't played yet in the preseason.
Here are tonight's lines and defense pairs for the Red Wings:
Johan Franzen-Riley Sheahan-Luke Glendening
Andy Miele-Dylan Larkin-Teemu Pulkkinen
Drew Miller-Joakim Andersson-Landon Ferraro
23 Tyler Bertuzzi-Andreas Athanasiou-Anthony Mantha
Brendan Smith-Alexey Marchenko
Brian Lashoff-Ryan Sproul
Nathan Paetsch-Nick Jensen
Jimmy Howard (playing entire game)
Tom McCollum
Blashill said Petr Mrazek will play the entire game Saturday against Boston at JLA.
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
24 Red Wings' Johan Franzen looks forward to 'some real bumping and hits' tonight
in preseason debut
Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 12:13 PM, updated September 24, 2015 at 12:43 PM
DETROIT – Johan Franzen is nervous, not because he's afraid of being hit, but simply
because he hasn't played a game, other than training camp scrimmages, in nearly nine
months.
Franzen also is excited, eagerly anticipating his preseason debut tonight for the Detroit
Red Wings against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena (7:30, Fox Sports
Detroit).
"It's going to be fun, been training all summer for this, for this moment pretty much,"
Franzen said. "Like the first time I get a chance to see where I'm at, with some real
bumping and some real hits out there. It's going to be good."
Franzen hasn't played since Jan. 6, when he suffered his latest concussion on a hit from
Rob Klinkhammer in Edmonton.
After several months of symptoms, including severe headaches and nausea, and
uncertainty if he'd ever play again, he is good to go.
"I'm always nervous, not (about) being hit, but I'm nervous about the game because I
haven't played (in a while)," Franzen said. "Even if it had been a normal off-season, I
would be a little bit nervous the first game. It's a good feeling. I don't think it's going to
be a huge difference being off the whole summer that we usually are. It's still hard
playing the first game when you have the whole summer off."
Franzen said he won't be tentative.
"I'm not worried about that at all," he said. "I'm not going to be afraid to go to the corners
or being hit. That's the last thing I think about right now.
"Hopefully I could have a healthy season. It starts tonight, see where I'm at and then go
from there."
Franzen will skating on a line with Riley Sheahan at center and Luke Glendening at right
wing. He's on the top power-play unit, with Sheahan and Dylan Larkin.
"I think it could be a good line," Franzen said. "The big bull, Glennie, getting some pucks
for us and I'm going to help with that, too. Shea has great hands and great hockey
sense, so hopefully it's going to be good."
This is the most excited Franzen has been to play a game in some time.
"It's a good feeling," Franzen said. "I really missed it and it's going to be fun. Hopefully
my head can handle it and hope for a good year."
He still has a few headaches.
25 "After the last concussion, it's all different," Franzen said. "I've learned to live with it. I
kind of know how treat myself and how to get rid of them. I still have headaches and all
that but it's under control."
He revealed he had surgery right after the season on his right ankle.
"Just old wear and tear, bone spurs and stuff," Franzen said. "It hasn't been working
that good. It's a lot better than it was before the surgery, so that's good."
His conditioning is good.
"I was a little worried coming into camp after having surgery by the end of last year on
my ankle, but it felt really good through camp," Franzen said.
Sheahan said Franzen has "looked great."
"He's fast," Sheahan said. "Obviously, when he's healthy he's one of our best players. It
was awesome having him back and it's a pleasure playing with him. It seems like he's
got more energy and he's joking around, he's happy in the locker room, so I think he's
back in his right place."
Teammates can tell how much Franzen is enjoying being in the room and on the ice.
"Obviously, when you have injuries like that it kind of screws with you, so he's back to
himself I think," Sheahan said. "He's such an awesome guy to be around and he's kind
of a positive vibe to the locker room and I think that translates onto the ice for us."
Franzen said he never seriously considered retiring.
"Maybe you think about it a little bit but it's never a day I took the decision to quit or play,
it was always in my mind to keep going," Franzen said.
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
26 Detroit Red Wings' Tomas Tatar driven to be a 'go-to guy' like Pavel Datsyuk,
Henrik Zetterberg
Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on September 24, 2015 at 6:01 AM, updated September 24, 2015 at 6:08 AM
DETROIT – Tomas Tatar, in his first preseason game, looked every bit the "go-to guy"
Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill envisions him becoming in the NHL.
It helped having a skilled veteran center like Brad Richards on his line.
The two already seem to have good chemistry after just four days of training camp and
one exhibition.
Tatar notched a hat trick Wednesday and Richards assisted on all three goals in a 4-1
victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena.
"They're two real skilled players and they like to make plays, which I'm good with as
long as we're limiting turnovers," Blashill said. "We had too many turnovers tonight
probably in general. But I think they're two guys that want to play that skilled type game
so there's definitely chemistry developing there."
That was evident on the first goal, when Tatar fired in a shot from the slot following a
nice give-and-go with Richards while Tomas Jurco, their linemate, was at the net front.
"Richie is a great player," Tatar said. "He made some nice plays. I'm just hoping we can
save a few of those for the regular season."
Richards, who at 35 is 11 years older than Tatar, is impressed by his linemate's skill and
determination.
"He knows how to score. I like that," Richards said. "He finds ways to score. One of
them was a great shot from the slot and the other one he's going to the net and he's in a
hard area, even though he's not the biggest guy.
"To score in this league – he got 29 last year – you can't just shoot pucks from the
perimeter and score anymore. He obviously knows how to get to the net and when he's
there, he knows what to do with it. He's giving and going. He's a heady player. So far it's
been fun to play with him."
Tatar has shown he can score in this league – he's tallied 48 goals in his first two full
seasons. Blashill believes there is a greater upside.
"Tats has really established himself as a really good player in the National Hockey
League," Blashill said. "Not many guys scored more goals than he did last year. The
next step for Tats is to make sure he establishes himself as one of the go-to guys on the
team.
"I think for the last number of years it's been Pav and Z (Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik
Zetterberg). If they've been out with any kind of injury, we need to make sure the next
group of guys are ready to jump into the same roles and be go-to guys. That's what I
27 talked to (Gustav) Nyquist and Tats about. They've been really good players in the NHL
since they've been up here. They've proven to be go-to guys in the American League,
not that they haven't been go-to guys at times here, but now let's make sure, run a line
by ourselves, we can carry a line instead of being a piece of it?"
Tatar aspires to be like Datsyuk and Zetterberg.
"Every season after the one before you try and change yourself to be better," Tatar said.
"At the end I want to be one of those guys like Hank or Pav. I want to be a leader. I
would like to pick up as much experience from those guys. They're great hockey
players. They're great examples for us young guys. So we have lots and lots to learn.
Every day for me when I'm watching those guys they are like learning days. Those guys
are unreal. I have lots to learn defensively and offensively."
Tatar is driven to maximize his ability.
"Tats is a real, real talented player who competes extremely hard, has a lot of
confidence and wants to win badly," Blashill said. "He's got a lot of attributes that make
you a real good player. We'll work together to make sure his game continues to
progress. We want him to be an elite player in the league."
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
28 Hometown boy Dylan Larkin's two goals are highlight of big night by Red Wings
prospects
Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com By Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com
on September 25, 2015 at 6:06 AM, updated September 25, 2015 at 6:10 AM
DETROIT – Local product Dylan Larkin said "hundreds" of family members and friends
turned out Thursday to witness his home debut with the Detroit Red Wings.
Larkin didn't disappoint.
Neither, for that matter, did his fellow Red Wings prospects.
Larkin, the Red Wings 2014 first-round draft choice who grew up in nearby Waterford,
scored a pair of goals on a night that saw Detroit's youngsters inflict most of the damage
in a 6-1 preseason victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"Being a hometown kid, you grew up being a fan," said Larkin, 19. "I must have had
hundreds of family and friends from Waterford here today, from all over Michigan. It was
pretty cool to look up in the stands and see a whole lot of familiar faces in my first game
at The Joe.
"I don't know if I relate to them or what. I think they're really rooting for me as a
hometown kid. That's pretty cool to see all that support."
Larkin got off to a quick starter – nearly scoring on his first shift when he hit the post –
before bagging what turned out to be the winning goal early in the second period to give
the Red Wings a 2-0 lead.
Parked at the left side of the net, Larkin scooped up a rebound on a shot by Teemu
Pulkkinen and buried it into the empty half of the net.
"I couldn't help but smile," Larkin said. "It was a real cool feeling to hear that goal horn
and put it in the back of the night. Somehow I'm going to remember that for a long time."
Hometown boy Dylan Larkin scores twice for Red Wings in Joe Louis Arena debut The
2014 first-round draft choice said he had "hundreds" of famly members and friends in
attendance.
Larkin also had a goal disallowed in the third period – linemate Tyler Bertuzzi was in the
crease – before finishing the scoring with 9.9 seconds left.
The two goals were part of a big night for Larkin's line.
Bertuzzi opened the scoring before adding three assists and Pulkkinen had two goals to
go with two assists. All told, the threesome combined for 10 points.
"It was exciting," said Bertuzzi, a second-round pick in 2013. "Everyone on the team is
really supporting, especially to be able to produce points and help the team get a win is
really awesome.
29 "We worked together really good as a line. We found each other down low and we
rewarded ourselves."
The only goal that wasn't produced by the Larkin-Bertuzzi-Pulkkinen line went to Drew
Miller, who was among a handful of veterans in the lineup.
Larkin, Bertuzzi and Pulkkinen all spent time in Grand Rapids last season, when new
Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill was behind the Griffins' bench.
"They did a good job," Blashill said. "I think Dylan has a maturity level way beyond his
years. That's one thing that struck me right away when he came to play for us last year
in Grand Rapids. He has a real maturity level to him.
"He's got a real good quiet confidence. He doesn't have that fake bravado confidence.
He's just a confident kid, but a down-to-earth kid. He doesn't let things bother him and
he's very competitive.
"That's not to say there's not errors. Yes, he does need to continue to grow ... but
sometimes that competitiveness gets the best of him. But he's a real, real mature
person."
Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill on Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and other prospects Red
Wings coach Jeff Blashill on Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and other prospects
Of the threesome, Pulkkinen is the only one assured of beginning the season in Detroit.
He led the AHL with 34 goals in 46 games last season, spent 31 games with the Red
Wings and would have to be exposed to waivers if the Red Wings wanted to return him
to Grand Rapids – which they do not and will not knowing that he'd be claimed
immediately.
Pulkkinen will be with the Red Wings but to earn a prominent spot in the lineup he
needs to keep putting the puck in the net.
"When that's what you do you have to score," Blashill said. "I think Pulky has worked
really hard at rounding out his game and becoming more of a 200-foot player than when
we first had him in Grand Rapids. But he's still working on that.
"Certain other guys might get away with not scoring. If you're a goal scorer you've got to
score. So good for Pulky to score tonight."
Many fans want to see Larkin open the season in Detroit and you can be sure that kind
of talk will increase after his big game against the Penguins.
They figure he's ready for the NHL after looking back to last season, when Larkin was
the Big Ten Freshman of the Year at Michigan, played in the World Championship and
World Juniors, and fit right in with the Griffins in the AHL playoffs.
But if Larkin is going to play in Detroit, it won't be based on what he did last season.
"He's got to be better today than somebody else that would have that spot," Blashill
said. "Better means lots of things. Better means playing a good 200-foot game. Better
means within the role that he would be competing for. It might be a production thing, it
might be a penalty-kill thing, it might a power-play thing.
30 "But I don't think he's alone. I think there's a whole group of young guys who are starting
to push to wanting to be NHL players. But I think that's a great thing. Ken Holland talked
about it at training camp.
"You're going to have lots of injuries throughout the year and you have to rely on your
organization's depth and I think the fact that (whether) a young guy makes the team out
of camp or not, the organization's depth is something that can provide us an opportunity
for success."
Michigan Live LOADED: 09.25.2015
31 Larkin doing everything he can to make Wings' decision a tough one
By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily
Posted: 09/24/15, 11:20 PM EDT | Updated: 22 secs ago
DETROIT >> Dylan Larkin didn’t hesitate at all when asked if he’s doing all he can to
make the Wings’ decision on where he starts the season.
“Yeah, that’s my goal,” Larkin said after Detroit’s 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins
Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena. “I think every game I’m trying to get stronger and
really trying to work on my team game and in the defensive zone and keep moving
forward.”
Larkin finished with a pair of goals in the victory in just over 15 minutes of ice time.
“I couldn’t help but smile,” Larkin said about first goal with the Wings. “It was a real cool
feeling to hear that goal horn and put it in the back of the night. Somehow I’m going to
remember that for a long time.
“Being a hometown kid you grew up being a fan,” Larkin continued. “I don’t know if I
relate to them or what. I think they’re really rooting for me as a hometown kid. That’s
pretty cool to see all that support. I must have had hundreds of family and friends from
Waterford here today, from all over Michigan. It was pretty cool to look up in the stands
and see a whole lot of familiar faces in my first game at the Joe.”
He also had one disallowed when Tyler Bertuzzi was called for being in the crease.
“He’s got to be better today than somebody else that would have that spot,” first-year
coach Jeff Blashill said when asked if Larkin could make this roster. “Better means lots
of things. Better means playing a good 200-foot game. Better means within the role that
he would be competing for.
“It might be a production thing, it might be a penalty-kill thing, it might a power-play
thing,” Blashill continued. “But I don’t think he’s alone. I think there’s a whole group of
young guys who are starting to push to wanting to be NHL players. But I think that’s a
great thing. Ken Holland talked about it at training camp. You’re going to have lots of
injuries throughout the year, and you have to rely on your organization’s depth and I
think the fact that a young guy makes the team out of camp or not, the organization’s
depth is something that can provide us an opportunity for success.”
Larkin, who slipped to Detroit at 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, is regarded as
the Wings’ top prospect, even ahead of Anthony Mantha, who struggled his first year as
a pro in Grand Rapids.
All the speculation began when the Waterford native decided to leave the University of
Michigan after one season and sign a three-year entry level contract with the Wings.
After signing the deal he joined the Grand Rapids Griffins, playing on an amateur tryout
contract, just in time for their Western Conference finals series with Utica.
In six games he had three goals and two assists under the watchful eye of Blashill.
32 He then had a goal and four assists at the Prospects Tournament prior to training camp
as well.
But like many in the Wings’ organization, they really young players to mature in the
American Hockey League before joining the NHL club on a fulltime basis, just ask
Gustav Nyquist.
“Again, I think Dylan has a maturity level way beyond his years,” Blashill said. “That’s
one thing that struck me right away when he came to play for us last year in Grand
Rapids. He has a real maturity level to him. He’s got a real good quiet confidence. He
doesn’t have that fake bravado confidence. He’s just a confident kid, but a down-toearth kid. He doesn’t let things bother him and he’s very competitive. That’s not to say
there’s not errors, yes, he does need to continue to grow in, but sometimes that
competitiveness gets the best of him. But he’s a real, real mature person.”
Larkin, who’s a two-way center, was the unanimous winner of the Big Ten’s freshman of
the year award, leading the conference’s first-year players in goals (15), assists (32)
and points (47) in 35 games with the Wolverines. He also was a plus-18.
He also led Michigan with 15 power play points (six goals) and with 151 shots on goal.
At the World Juniors, he led Team USA in goals (five), points (seven) and tied in plusminus (plus-seven) in five games, which helped Larkin earn a spot on the U.S. World
Championship roster, where he had an assist in 10 games.
Larkin, who is very competitive and plays a 200-foot game, back checks hard and is
conscientious defensively, has said he won’t be disappointed if the team decides to
have him play a full season with the Griffins.
Macomb Daily LOADED: 09.25.2015
33 USA TODAY / Detroit Red Wings preview: Starting life without Mike Babcock
Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 8 a.m. EDT September 24, 2015
Arrivals: Coach Jeff Blashill, D Mike Green, C Brad Richards and LW Eric Tangradi
(free agents)
Departures: Babcock (joined Toronto Maple Leafs), C Stephen Weiss (buyout), D Marek
Zidlicky (free agent)
Goaltending: Jimmy Howard (23-13-11, 2.44, .910) and Petr Mrazek (16-9-2, 2.38, .918)
are competing to be No. 1. Based on last spring, Mrazek has to be the favorite. The
Wings fed off his confidence. When he gives up a bad goal, he seems to dig in and play
with more conviction. He’s a mentally tough competitor. Howard has had moments of
excellence, enough of them that you can’t discount the possibility that he could win the
No. 1 job again. However, he was not sharp late last season. Both could share the net.
Analysis: Blashill might face more pressure than any other coach in the NHL because
he is succeeding a legend. Plus, he inherits the mission of extending the Red Wings’
24-season playoff streak. The good news is he has inherited a Stanley Cup contender.
Advanced statistics last season showe the Red Wings were maturing into a high-caliber
team. The Wings should be in the top 10 in scoring, and their defense and goaltending
have improved. Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist should combine for 50 goals. The only
concern: Pavel Datsyuk (ankle surgery) will be out until November. Captain Henrik
Zetterberg is healthy. Chronic back injuries seem to have slowed him a bit, but he’s still
a smart, savvy competitor who finds ways to help his team every game. Green’s arrival
will help Detroit’s transition game. The Red Wings were a dangerous power play team,
and right-handed shot Green makes them more difficult to defend against.
What advanced stats say: Detroit ranked third in team Corsi rankings in 2014-15, just
behind the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks.
Breakthrough candidate: The Red Wings have to decide whether winger Teemu
Pulkkinen, 23, can be a top scorer. He can’t go to the minors without waivers.
Youngster to WATCH: C Dylan Larkin, 19, seems ready for the NHL. He didn’t look out
of place playing against NHL players at last spring’s world championships. Given the
crowded roster, he could start in the American Hockey League but should be in Detroit
at some point. He’s a marvelous skater and has hockey sense beyond his years.
What the team really needs: Another top-level defenseman. The Red Wings have
impressive prospects Xavier Ouellet, Alexey Marchenko and Nick Jensen, but none is
projected to be a top pairing guy. The Green signing was important, but he’s on the
back nine of his career.
Key question: How much will LW-C Johan Franzen contribute? He has been cleared to
return after a concussion limited him to 33 games last season. Franzen, 35, had 22
points last season and has been a 30-goal scorer.
34 Forecast: With the talented Tampa Bay Lightning rightfully earning all of the attention,
no one seems to have noticed that the Red Wings have developed into a threat to win
the Stanley Cup. They will challenge the Lightning for the division title but end up in
second.
USA TODAY LOADED: 09.25.2015
35