Red Wings Central http://www.redwingscentral.com http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/17_RWCReport.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/17_RWCReport.php Jakub Kindl is looking like a first-round draft pick again. The 21-year-old defenseman and former 19th overall pick of the Detroit Red Wings is showing signs of having a turnaround year as an American Hockey League sophomore with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:46:00 EDT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/12_ProspectRankingUpdate.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/12_ProspectRankingUpdate.php The Detroit Red Wings' prospect pipeline is clogged at the top and virtually overflowing with mature, NHL-ready talent. The top six prospects on Red Wings Central's preliminary 2008-09 ranking are all members of the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, and three of them --- defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and forwards Darren Helm and Ville Leino --- would be NHL regulars in most organizations. Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:12:00 EDT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/10_RWCReport.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/10_RWCReport.php Less than two years ago, Mattias Ritola couldn't crack the point-per-game barrier in little more than a beer league, Sweden's third level. The Detroit Red Wings, unfazed, signed him anyway, excited by his high skill level and hopeful his talent would rise to the forefront once they got him in the American Hockey League with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:57:00 EDT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/03_RWCReport.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_11/03_RWCReport.php Will Gustav Nyquist prove to be Hakan Andersson's latest find? It's certainly too early to tell right now, but the Detroit Red Wings' draft pick --- selected in June on the advice of Andersson, director of European scouting --- is off to a very encouraging start with the Maine Black Bears. Mon, 3 Nov 2008 01:31:00 EDT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_10/20_RWCReport.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_10/20_RWCReport.php The Detroit Red Wings were right -- Stephen Johnston's nine-point rookie campaign didn't even scratch the surface of his potential. The 18-year-old center has already matched his 56-game rookie output after 11 contests as a sophomore with the Ontario Hockey League's Belleville Bulls, with three goals and six assists in the young season. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:01:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_10/13_RWCReport.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_10/13_RWCReport.php Randy Cameron is hoping to benefit from playing on one of the best teams in the Canadian Hockey League in a pivotal contract year. The 19-year-old center is skating for a third season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Moncton Wildcats, who have not lost in regulation (8-0-2) all season and are ranked third in the CHL. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_10/06_RWCReport.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_10/06_RWCReport.php Consider Brent Raedeke and Brian Lashoff "bonus draft picks" -- who the Detroit Red Wings feel very, very strongly about. The Red Wings signed Raedeke and Lashoff this week to three-year entry-level contracts, locking both players into the organization after nearly selecting them at the NHL draft in June. Were the draft still nine rounds, they probably would have been eighth- and ninth-rounders, respectively. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:20:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/25_DetBos.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/25_DetBos.php Cory Emmerton is a prototypical Detroit Red Wings forward, with a gifted offensive mind and the puck-possession skill to match. The 20-year-old first-year pro fit right into the Stanley Cup champions' system on Thursday night, collecting a goal and an assist in a 4-3 pre-season victory over the Boston Bruins in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:20:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/22_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/22_Roundup.php The Grand Rapids Griffins will boast a new, younger look this season. The Detroit Red Wings' top minor-league affiliate could feature as many as six first-year pros on its roster, with forwards Cory Emmerton, Jan Mursak and Justin Abdelkader, defensemen Logan Pyett and Sergei Kolosov and goaltender Daniel Larsson all slated for AHL duty. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/21_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/21_Roundup.php The Detroit Red Wings have big decisions to make on the blue line. Not only do the Red Wings have seven signed NHL regulars at their disposal, they also have three youngsters -- Derek Meech, Jonathan Ericsson and Kyle Quincey -- knocking on the door, looking for jobs. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:55:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/20_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/20_Roundup.php The Detroit Red Wings are making sure Jimmy Howard earns his way into a full-time job in the National Hockey League. Instead of hand the backup job behind Chris Osgood to Howard following Dominik Hasek's retirement, the Red Wings went out and signed journeyman Ty Conklin. The move left Howard as the third-stringer coming into training camp in Traverse City, Mich., with a chance of winning the No. 2 duties. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:16:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/18_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/18_Roundup.php Dick Axelsson is getting a crash course in North American hockey this month. The 21-year-old Detroit Red Wings' prospect isn't sticking around for long, as he is scheduled to return to his Swedish Elite League team Djurgarden next week after training camp comes to a close in Traverse City, Mich. Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:47:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/17_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/17_Roundup.php Jakub Kindl is hoping to turn a negative into a positive. The highly-touted first-round draft pick is coming off a difficult rookie season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. While he had three goals and 17 assists in 75 games, he posted a league-worst minus-34. Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:44:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/16_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/16_Roundup.php Cory Emmerton is eager to put a nightmarish season behind him. The 20-year-old Ontario Hockey League product's luck went from bad to worse when he was traded from the Kingston Frontenacs to the Brampton Battalion at mid-season. He contracted mononucleosis, was sent home from Canada's world junior camp, and never fully got himself back on track. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 9:34:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/15_Pyett.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/15_Pyett.php The next Brian Rafalski? That'd suit Logan Pyett just fine. "Obviously (Rafalski's) a top defenseman in the NHL and he's right here in Detroit so I am able to watch him," the Detroit Red Wings prospect said. "He's a guy that I obviously watch closely and try to model my game after." Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:59:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/14_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/14_Roundup.php Thomas McCollum has been all smiles since arriving in Traverse City, Mich. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound goalie is thrilled to be with the Red Wings after being selected with the 30th overall pick in June's NHL draft. Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:59:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/13_Roundup.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_09/13_Roundup.php Although it didn't show on the scoresheet, Justin Abdelkader was a force for the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night in Traverse City, Mich. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound left-winger's big hits and sound defensive game energized his team from start to finish in a 4-0 victory over the New York Rangers at Center Ice Arena on opening night of the annual prospects tournament. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:59:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_08/28_FreeAgents.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_08/28_FreeAgents.php The Detroit Red Wings have invited nine free agents to try out at their annual prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich., beginning Sept. 13. With the Red Wings dangerously close to the 50-contract limit, competition for jobs will be tight. The Red Wings have not signed a free-agent prospect out of training camp since taking on forward Nathan Robinson in 2003. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_08/01_Swan.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_08/01_Swan.php The Detroit Red Wings have invited former Anaheim Ducks second-round draft pick Bryce Swan to their training camp in September. The 6-foot-3, 198-pound forward will try out for a contract at the Red Wings' prospects tournament from Sept. 13 to 17 in Traverse City, Mich. He will also get a look at Detroit's main camp from Sept. 20 to 23. Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:48:00 EST http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/27_Nyquist.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/27_Nyquist.php Hakan Andersson chooses his words carefully when asked about Gustav Nyquist's chances of one day playing for the Detroit Red Wings. "Statistically, any player below the third round is not supposed to make the NHL," the Red Wings' director of amateur scouting says. "But with his skill level and his hockey sense, he has a chance to be a pretty good player." Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/26_Kolosov.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/26_Kolosov.php The Detroit Red Wings have signed hard-hitting Belarusian defenseman Sergei Kolosov to a two-year entry-level contract. Kolosov spent last season with Dinamo Minsk of Belarus's top pro league. He had four goals, six assists and 73 penalty minutes in 47 games. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/26_Johnston.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/26_Johnston.php The Detroit Red Wings will probably regret trading Shawn Matthias for years to come, but Stephen Johnston may help ease some of the pain. The Red Wings selected Johnston, Matthias's teammate with the Belleville Bulls, in the sixth round, 181st overall, in the NHL draft, with the hope he will experience a Matthias-type breakout over the next couple of seasons. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/25_Cayer.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/25_Cayer.php If there is one thing the Detroit Red Wings have struggled to find through the draft, it's big, hard-nosed skaters. But every year, they usually take a shot at one rough-and-tumble pick, and this year was no exception. Meet Julien Cayer, who hails from the Montreal area and spent last season at a Lake Placid, N.Y., prep school named Northwood. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/24_Notebook.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/24_Notebook.php The Detroit Red Wings have until July 1 to decide whether to sign hard-hitting Belarusian blueliner Sergei Kolosov or cut him lose. The NHL, the NHL Players' Association and the International Ice Hockey Federation are in the process of figuring out exactly what happens to the rights of players drafted prior to the most recent collective bargaining agreement. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/24_Nicastro.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/24_Nicastro.php You won't catch many scouts saying bad things about Max Nicastro. But there's a catch: You won't catch many raving about him, either. Nicastro is a right-shooting defenseman who can best be described as a jack of all trades, master of none. And that's not such a bad thing -- you can carve a seasoned NHL veteran out of a guy like that. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/23_Samuelsson.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/23_Samuelsson.php Hakan Andersson counts himself lucky for making the trip to Norrkoping, Sweden, to watch Jesper Samuelsson play before Christmas. If he had waited until after, Samuelsson might not be a Detroit Red Wings draft pick today. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/22_DraftReview.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/22_DraftReview.php When asked if the Detroit Red Wings landed another Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk at the NHL draft in Ottawa, Jim Nill had this to say. "It's up to the kids now," the assistant general manager told the NHL Network. "We've opened the door for them, much like we did with Zetterberg and Datsyuk. It's up to them to take it to the next level (through) hard work and commitment. They're the ones who can turn themselves into players." Sun, 22 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/21_McCollum.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/21_McCollum.php The Detroit Red Wings selected goaltender Thomas McCollum with their first-round pick (30th overall) in the NHL entry draft in Ottawa on Friday night. The Sanborn, N.Y., native is the starter for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League. He posted a 25-17-6 record with a 2.50 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and four shutouts this past season. Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/20_DraftPreview.php http://www.redwingscentral.com/stories/2008_06/20_DraftPreview.php The Detroit Red Wings are scheduled to pick 30th overall in the first round of Friday's NHL entry draft at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Versus and TSN. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:00:01 GMT