Detroit Red Wings Clips February 26, 2015 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Wings goalies: One needs swagger, one needs health PAGE 3 St. James: Wings' Mark Howe sees no pressure for trade PAGE 5 Red Wings' Gustavsson shows he's sharp, when healthy PAGE 7 In photos: Ted Kulfan's top NHL trade candidates PAGE 8 Red Wings' Kyle Quincey cleared to practice, return soon; ankle surgery can wait until off-season PAGE 9 Jonas Gustavsson strong in first start for Red Wings since Nov. 5, but receives no offensive support PAGE 11 Pat Caputo - It's apparent the Detroit Red Wings can't stand still at the NHL trade deadline PAGE 13 Jonas Gustavsson shines in return from injury
Wings goalies: One needs swagger, one needs health By Helene St. James, 4:06 p.m. EST February 25, 2015 SAN JOSE, Calif. Mike Babcock likes his backup goaltender and only wishes he were more available. Likewise with the starting goaltender, a guy whom Babcock views as capable of infusing the Detroit Red Wings with swagger. With six weeks to go in the regular season, the Wings are in the position of needing to see Jimmy Howard regain his confidence and Jonas Gustavsson maintain his health. Thursday's game at San Jose is Detroit's 60th of the season, meaning the stretch run is here. The Wings are almost done with their last extended trip of the season, with stops at Dallas, Anaheim and Los Angeles leaving them 1-1-1. Howard was in goal for the first two and didn't look great in Monday's 4-3 shoot-out loss to the Ducks, while Gustavsson made 26 saves in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Kings. After the game at Staples Center (the Wings took today off), Babcock paid Gustavsson something of a backhanded compliment, saying "I thought Gus played well. I think Gus plays well all the time, he just doesn't play. He's been injured so much." Gustavsson has, in fact, only appeared in five games this season and, before Tuesday, hadn't started since dislocating his left shoulder in early November. That's not much work to build on in case he's needed regularly, but Gustavsson said, "I'm just going to do whatever I can when I get a chance and show that I can be out there. Then we'll see how many chances I get. But in the end, it's all about the team getting points and getting in good position to get a good playoff run going." That is where Howard comes in. Saturday's 7-6 overtime victory at Dallas was a farce on many levels, but the Wings had a great game going in Anaheim until Howard let in two soft rebounds. That's what needs to change. "Howie gives us a swagger," Babcock said. "When he is on top of his game and feeling like he can feel, it's... contagious. It helps us feel good about who we are. We need him to find his consistent form, and I have no doubt he will." The Wings are in the fortunate position that they've got a third stringer in Petr Mrazek who did a solid job filling in when both Howard and Gustavsson were hurt midseason. The ideal scenario, though, is a confident Howard and a healthy Gustavsson atop the depth chart. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 02.26.2015 2
St. James: Wings' Mark Howe sees no pressure for trade By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 11:30 p.m. EST February 25, 2015 SAN JOSE, Calif. While the Detroit Red Wings are engaged in a jam-packed trip out west that'll help determine what, if anything, they do next week before the NHL trade deadline, their director of pro scouting is packing on the miles scouting games in the Philadelphia area. In an interview this week with the Free Press, Mark Howe, a Hall of Fame defenseman, described the last week leading up to Monday's trade deadline as "running around and doing follow-up work." "We had our meetings in Vegas in January, where we put a list of guys together, and then you try to see everyone on list, try to get best feeling you can," he said. "You never know what's going to happen this last week. Last year we were going to stand pat, and then two more centers went down, so we were almost forced into a deal." A year ago, the Wings handed over prospect Calle Jarnkrok to Nashville for David Legwand, who helped the Wings get into the playoffs for a record-setting 23rd straight season. The deal wasn't great, but it was made because the streak is. This year, the Wings have solid footing on a playoff spot, and from what Howe sees, there's no pressure to make a deal. "I'm pleased with the way our team has played," he said. "I think we've surprised a lot of people. We have a ways to go, but we've got capable goaltending, a good goals-against, and our special teams are right at the top." Howe naturally wouldn't reveal the list, but the Wings are known to be looking at defensemen, especially those who shoot right-handed. General manager Ken Holland has said he's not interested in a player in the last year of his contract, and the Wings aren't giving up any first-round picks, or blue-chip prospects such as Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha, or established young scorers such as Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar. Lower-rated prospects and lower-round picks are in play as payment. There are not many defensemen left, however. On Wednesday, Carolina dealt Andrej Sekera. Earlier this month, Toronto moved Cody Franson. One name on the list, Tyler Myers, already has found a new home in Winnipeg. Another name is Edmonton's Jeff Petry, who played at Michigan State. He shoots right and has decent pace, and though he is a pending unrestricted free agent it's hard to think he wouldn't re-sign, given that his dad is former Tiger Dan Petry. Jeff Petry's hockey sense isn't great, however, and he'd likely cost a second-round pick, a round that in recent years has yielded Tatar, Tomas Jurco and Xavier Ouellet. The quest for a right-shot defenseman has been on since last summer, but it is currently being assuaged by prospect Alexey Marchenko. He has sound hockey sense, but he brings nothing offensively and lacks pace. Ouellet left a favorable impression when he was up earlier in the season, and he plays a more well-rounded game. 3
The way those two have played has lessened need to make a move. "I think every team would like to upgrade," Howe said, "but at what cost? There are only seven picks in a draft. I have a lot of confidence in our players and their ability. Marchy has done a good job. Ouellet can play. I know Jakub Kindl can play." Those three further stack a blue line that soon will see the return of Kyle Quincey. He he has been cleared to practice after a doctor's visit this week revealed anti-inflammatories should help a problem with bone chips in one ankle. While Howe is attending games in the Northeast, Kirk Maltby and Glenn Merkovsky have scouted games elsewhere. Bruce Haralson has helped assess the Wings, joining them as they began this trip in Dallas and continued to Anaheim and Los Angeles before finishing up with stops tonight at San Jose and Saturday at Nashville. All four pro scouts are to be part of Monday's trade-day council at Joe Louis Arena, and how the Wings fare on this trip will have an impact. So far they've survived a wild game in Dallas, lost in a shoot-out after largely outplaying the Ducks and performed respectably enough in a 1-0 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings. Finish strongly, and Wings brass might spend most of Monday playing Yahtzee. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 02.26.2015 4
Red Wings' Gustavsson shows he's sharp, when healthy Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 6:37 p.m. EST February 25, 2015 Los Angeles All Jonas Gustavsson had was a 10-minute relief performance Saturday and two conditioning games in Grand Rapids since his last NHL start Nov. 5. But it was hard to tell Tuesday as Gustavsson was turning aside the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings time after time. And despite the 1-0 loss the Kings scored on an early power play Gustavsson again showed he can be a quality backup to Jimmy Howard. When he's healthy, that is. "Gus plays well all the time, he just doesn't play since he's injured so much," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "When he plays, he plays well. He gives us a chance most nights." Gustavsson, who had 26 saves against the Kings, suffered a separated shoulder Nov. 5, and has had groin issues for parts of his first two seasons with the Red Wings. How much work Gustavsson receives the rest of the season remains to be seen. But, the Red Wings need him to be ready, and healthy. "There's only about six weeks left before the end of the season, so we'll see what happens," Gustavsson said. Powerless For those who missed Tuesday's game, Gustavsson said "it felt like a playoff game." What hurt the Red Wings was their 0-for-5 power play. "(The Kings) were real good, they kept us on the walls," Babcock said. "We got a couple of chances, our best one was maybe Gus (Nyquist in the third period) walking down the middle, but we were unable to capitalize." Quincey update Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Kyle Quincey (bone chips, ankle) can resume practicing when he's ready. Quincey missed the last three games, but after seeing a specialist in Los Angeles, he was advised he can put off surgery until after the season. Getting it right Babcock was seen arguing with officials over a late delay of game against the Red Wings, but admitted after the game he was wrong. He saw video confirming Luke Glendening shot the puck over the glass with no Kings player touching it first. 5
"It was our fault, I got some misdirection," Babcock said. "I'll have to talk to those officials. We work together all the time. You have to treat them better than that." Detroit News LOADED: 02.26.2015 6
In photos: Ted Kulfan's top NHL trade candidates Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 11 p.m. EST February 25, 2015 Click through the gallery above or go here to see Ted Kulfan's top NHL trade candidates. It will be all over on Monday at 3 p.m. All trade speculation, which players may or may not be available, which teams are interested, etc. At that point, everyone can fully concentrate on the final push toward the playoffs. But until then, get ready for more rumors. As Monday's trade deadline approaches, there's still time for teams to fine-tune their rosters -- if they're willing to give up some of their futures. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland isn't usually one to do that, though he did make such a trade last season, acquiring David Legwand from Nashville for prospect Calle Jarnkrok and draft picks. Legwand helped the Red Wings squeeze into the playoffs but was ineffective in the postseason and signed with Ottawa in the summer and Jarnkrok is having a good rookie season in Nashville. Holland is unlikely to trade prospects such as forwards Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin or some of his quality young defensemen in Grand Rapids for a rental player. If the Red Wings were to make a trade, it would be more of a player-for-player trade, although those are less likely to happen this time of year. The Red Wings could use veteran depth on defense, just like most teams, and there are defensemen available. Don't be shocked if the Red Wings wind up getting someone of that variety. Detroit News LOADED: 02.26.2015 7
Red Wings' Kyle Quincey cleared to practice, return soon; ankle surgery can wait until off-season Ansar Khan on February 25, 2015 at 1:18 PM, updated February 25, 2015 at 1:30 PM SAN JOSE, Calif. - Detroit Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey has been cleared to begin practicing and can return to the lineup when the team feels he is ready, general manager Ken Holland said. Quincey, who's been dealing with bone chips in his ankle since August, saw another specialist on Tuesday. He apparently can delay surgery until the off-season. Quincey has missed the past three games after leaving practice Friday after only a few minutes due to pain. He's been taking anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery would have sidelined him for approximately six weeks. "It started in about August and acted up a few times in the preseason but is kind of an ongoing thing," Quincey said on Tuesday. "We knew we needed surgery back in October but it was hopeful we could get through the rest of the year. That's still the plan." Quincey is having a solid, consistent season, with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and a plus-5 rating in 52 games. He and Danny DeKeyser formed what coach Mike Babcock said last month is the team's best defense pairing. The Red Wings, coming off back-to-back losses in Anaheim (4-3 in a shootout) and Los Angeles (1-0), visit the San Jose Sharks on Thursday (10:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). Michigan Live LOADED: 02.26.2015 8
Jonas Gustavsson strong in first start for Red Wings since Nov. 5, but receives no offensive support Ansar Khan on February 25, 2015 at 6:02 AM, updated February 25, 2015 at 1:58 PM LOS ANGELES - It's easy to forget Jonas Gustavsson, since he hadn't started an NHL game in nearly four months due to injury. But the Detroit Red Wings still remember him as the goaltender that essentially saved their season a year ago and usually gives them a chance to win on those infrequent occasions he's called upon. That's what Gustavsson did Tuesday, during a difficult assignment against the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, the hottest team in the league. Gustavsson turned aside 26-of-27 shots, which would be good enough for a win on most nights. But this time, his team didn't support him, losing 1-0 at Staples Center. Gustavsson's only blemish was Justin Williams' power-play goal at 2:24 of the first period - a deflection of a point shot by Jake Muzzin. Jonathan Quick made 20 saves for his 35th career shutout, his fourth this season, and the Kings killed five Detroit power plays en route to their eighth consecutive victory. "I just thought it was a good hockey game," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We talk lots about trying to start quick. When you play back-to-back (nights) sometimes it takes you a little bit. I thought we got better as the game went on. "Gus gave us an opportunity and our guys really battled hard. They're a good team and we're a good team and there wasn't much room out there." Gustavsson, who dislocated his shoulder on Nov. 5, was prepared for this moment. He played well during two conditioning games with the Grand Rapids Griffins earlier this month and earned a win Saturday in Dallas playing just 10 minutes in relief of Jimmy Howard. He has maximized his practice time as well. Oft-injured Jonas Gustavsson once again gives Red Wings a chance to win Goaltender was solid in his first start for Red Wings since Nov. 5. "I think Gus plays well all of the time, he just doesn't play, he's been injured so much," Babcock said. "I think he gives us a chance most nights." That's what you want from your goalie, defenseman Brendan Smith said. "I think Monster's a great goalie," Smith said. "I don't think we had our jump right off the bat and that's how they got their first goal. I wish we had a better response in the first 10 minutes, but after that we found our legs and our game and we just couldn't respond. But I thought Monster played great." Said forward Justin Abdelkader: "He's been working hard to get rehabbed, to get healthy, to get ready for this opportunity, and I thought he did a great job. He played the 9
puck well. He made big saves. He takes up a lot of the net (with his 6-foot-4 frame), so even if he doesn't see pucks they seem to hit him." Gustavsson went 16-5-4 for the Red Wings in 2013-14, when Howard dealt with injuries and inconsistency. Howard will get the lion's share of starts over the final 23 games. Gustavsson has to be ready for whatever workload he receives. "I'm just going to try and take advantage of the opportunities I get and work hard in practice," Gustavsson said. "It's only six weeks or so left in the season, so we'll see what happens. I'm just going to do whatever I can when I get the chance and show that I can be out there. "But in the end it's all about the team getting points and getting a good position to get a good playoff run going." The Red Wings' top-rated power play managed only five shots in almost nine minutes. "Our entries, we didn't do a good job of executing there," Abdelkader said. "In turn we didn't create much momentum off our power play and get quality chances. "We kept pucks on the walls, which L.A., they're a big team, so that's where the want the puck, along the wall. We need to communicate better. In turn, our power play has won us a lot of games this year." Babcock initially was upset that officials called Luke Glendening for delay of game with 3:46 remaining in regulation, giving the Kings a two-man advantage for 25 seconds and hampering the Red Wings' comeback attempt. But Babcock said he was wrong to argue the call because video showed Glendening fired the puck over the glass without it having deflected off a King's stick, as he first thought. "It was our fault, no one else's fault," Babcock said. "I got some misdirection and so I'll have to talk to those officials. We work together all the time, so you have to treat them better than that." Michigan Live LOADED: 02.26.2015 10
Pat Caputo - It's apparent the Detroit Red Wings can't stand still at the NHL trade deadline By Pat Caputo Posted: 02/25/15, 5:58 PM EST The Red Wings are in the midst of a road trip from Hades. It has already taken them from Chicago to home for a day-and-a-half off to Dallas to Anaheim to Los Angeles. The trip finishes up Thursday night at San Jose and Saturday afternoon in Nashville. The Blackhawks and Kings have combined for four of the last five Stanley Cup championships. Nashville is first overall in the league standings, Anaheim tied for second. San Jose remains talented and is fighting for its playoff life. Only Dallas presented much of break, yet it really wasn t much of one. The Red Wings had scramble back for a 7-6 overtime victory. The key for the Red Wings has been good health, but on the trip captain Henrik Zetterberg went out of with a head ailment and defenseman Kyle Quincey an ankle injury. Neither appears to be a minor issue. The trip so far has presented a mixed bag as the NHL trade deadline looms at 3 p.m. Monday. Do the Red Wings need to tighten up defensively? Sure seemed that way in Dallas. Or do they need more offensive firepower. Sure seemed that way as the Red Wings were shut out by the Kings and their premier goalie Jonathan Quick, 1-0, Tuesday night. The Red Wings are in solid position to make the playoffs. It doesn t appear it will be necessary for another frantic late-season rush just keep their playoff streak, currently at 23 straight seasons, alive. But is this team, really, a serious contender to win the Stanley Cup championship? Is the so-called transition period over and a deep playoff run the expectation again? If so, how does general manager Ken Holland improve his squad at the treade deadline? So far, the trip has presented more questions than answers. The Red Wings have two things that should allow them to upgrade at the deadline: 1. Space under the salary cap. 2. A deep pool of prospects other teams are interested in. Desperation isn t needed. Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Riley Sheahan, Petr Mrazek, Anthony Mantha and Dylan Larkin present the Red Wings with a bright future as they prepare to move into a new arena - and should be untouchable. But the rest of the Red Wings depth, should very much be in play as trade bait. For one thing, it s difficult to keep players under control as they develop because of limited roster space. They only get so many options to Grand Rapids before they are exposed to waivers. Also, each season takes on a difficult tone. Yes, the Red Wings have a bright future, but the core of their top-end veterans Zetterberg (34), Pavel Datsyuk (36) and 11
Niklas Kronwell (34) aren t getting any younger. And they still, along with goalie Jimmy Howard, hold the key to where the Red Wings are presently going. It s not a window that is going to remain open forever. Perhaps the most significant part of the road trip so far was the way goalie Jonas Gustavsson played Tuesday in the loss to LA. It upped his trade value. There s risk involved with trading prospects, good ones, like hard-shooting winger Teemu Pulkkinen, and defensemen Ryan Sproul, Alexy Marchenko and Xavier Ouellet. The Red Wings lack of right-handed shots is alarming. Three of those players (Pulkinen, Sproul and Marchenko) have right-handed shots. But they aren t ready yet, and there is no guarantee they will be top players, either. Just that they have a chance. Edmonton defenseman Jeff Petry appears to be the perfect fit for the Red Wings. It s like almost too perfect. He is a right-handed shot. Petry is defensively responsible. His plus-minus is only bad because the Oilers are overall. He is a free agent after this season, but is just 27, went to Orchard Lake St. Mary s High School and Michigan State and would likely love to play for the Red Wings long-term. But other teams are surely interested, Chicago probably among them. Petry might be costly for a o-called rental. Should the Red Wings bring in an old war horse like Jaromir Jagr? He is 43 and slow, but still very strong on his skates and on the puck and can score inside, a need especially in the playoffs. The cost would be minimal. Marek Zidlicky, also of the New Jersey Devils, is a right-handed shooting defenseman,who would help the Red Wings. He is solid moving the puck and a good point man on the power play kind of a poor man s Brian Rafalski. Everybody is trying pick the corpse of bad teams like Toronto and Arizona, so you hear big names in the hockey world bantered about, like the Coyotes Keith Yandle, and the Maple Leafs Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf, but it seems unlikely the Red Wings will go there simply because the price would involve one of their untouchables and/or a firstround draft pick.. It s not necessary, but improving at the trade deadline is. For while the Red Wings are pretty good, it would be naive to believe they can t get better now without significantly hindering their future. And it would be profoundly disappointing if they do nothing at the trade deadline. Macomb Daily LOADED: 02.26.2015 12
Jonas Gustavsson shines in return from injury By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 02/25/15, 4:32 PM EST If there was a good sign to come out of the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 loss Tuesday in Los Angeles it was the return of their backup goalie. But again the key word is return when it comes to talking about Jonas Gustavsson. After nearly not starting an NHL game in nearly four months, Gustavsson made 26 saves in the loss. I think Gus plays well all of the time, he just doesn t play, he s been injured so much, Wings coach Mike Babcock said. So when he plays I think he plays well. I think he gives us a chance most nights. Gustavsson s latest setback, a dislocated left shoulder, occurred on Nov. 5 when he was reaching for a loose puck in overtime just as New York Ranger Derick Brassard was firing it into the open net in overtime. He s been working hard to get rehabbed, to get healthy, to get ready for this opportunity, Justin Abdelkader said. He takes up a lot of the net (with his 6-foot-4 frame), so even if he doesn t see pucks they seem to hit him. Gustavsson played well during his two conditioning games in Grand Rapids earlier this month and got the win Saturday in Dallas playing just 10 minutes in relief of Jimmy Howard. I think Monster s a great goalie, Brendan Smith said. Gustavsson, who signed a one-year deal at $1.85 million this offseason to return to Detroit, has spent most of his first two seasons with the Wings on the trainer s table. I just take it day-by-day, Gustavsson said. I know that s a boring answer, but that s how it is. I m not really thinking about how many games I m going to play in the end. It s a new day tomorrow. I m probably going to have a good practice and that s all that s in my head right now. Gustavsson, 30, had appeared in just 34 regular-season games with the Wings over his first two seasons. But when Gustavsson plays he plays well. Last season he went 16-5-4 with a 2.63 goals-against average and a.907 save percentage. He appeared in the final two games of the playoffs, filling in for Howard, who was sidelined with the flu. Howard is expected to get a majority of the starts over the final 23 games of the regular season which Gustavsson completely understands. It s all about the team, Gustavsson said. It s not about me first of all. I m just going to try and take advantage of the opportunities I get and work hard in the practice. 13
It s only six weeks or so left in the season, so we ll see what happens, Gustavsson continued. That s not really in my focus, either. I m just going to do whatever I can when I get the chance and show that I can be out there. Then we ll see how many chances I can get. But in the end it s all about the team getting points and getting a good position to get a good playoff run going. Kyle Quincey has been given the green light according to Wings general Ken Holland to return to practice from bone chips in his ankle. He can play when he feels ready. Quincey, who has been dealing with this since August, missed the last three games since leaving practice Friday. His imminent return is great news for the Wings since there was a possibility Quincey could have needed surgery to fix the problem. We knew we needed surgery back in October, but I was hopeful we could get through the rest of the year, Quincey said. Surgery could have sidelined him for close to six weeks. Get the surgery after we win the Cup in June, said Quincey, who has three goals, 10 assists and a plus-five rating in 52 games. That s the plan. Quincey is paired with Danny DeKeyser and was called the team s best defensive pairing by Babcock last month. Macomb Daily LOADED: 02.26.2015 14