Jeremy Laura: Red Wings roll to 6th straight win as Kane gets 3 apples vs. Blackhawks

Got tight in the 3d, seemed like they let up a bit and paid the price w/2 GA. Lesson learned, I hope. If that happened against COL, BOS, FLA, etc... would've been much more damaging.

I REALLY like AlJo/Eddy as a pairing. AlJo's not the guy who's going to pot 40pts, but watching him tonight, you could see his ability to walk the line & defend, he kapt a couple of pucks in when we were in the O zone. He'll be a solid defender that'll keep us attacking and has no fear of getting down in the D zone.

This team isn't flashy, but with the right leadership & coaching staff.....big change. Confident. Working hard. They have pride back.

WINNING is the biggest attraction for any player. Vegas was a Cup competitor since day 1.
- HenryHockey

Just to respond to this from the last blog, yes that helps them for UFAs along with taxes and weather but when it comes to trades they were still able to get some of the top available players by making trades and not giving up their best players and their prospects weren't the best either.

Wings likely can't make a trade for Pettersson (if they choose to trade him) during the season if they are not interested in taking Copp or Compher back as part of the deal but he is a player Yzerman should be trying hard to get if they do decide to move him. He's in the right age range, he's a proven top 6 center, he would likely feel very comfortable with the Wings given the number of Swedes on the roster and in the pipeline along with the Wings have a pretty hefty history with Swedes in the past.

Just to respond to this from the last blog, yes that helps them for UFAs along with taxes and weather but when it comes to trades they were still able to get some of the top available players by making trades and not giving up their best players and their prospects weren't the best either.

Wings likely can't make a trade for Pettersson (if they choose to trade him) during the season if they are not interested in taking Copp or Compher back as part of the deal but he is a player Yzerman should be trying hard to get if they do decide to move him. He's in the right age range, he's a proven top 6 center, he would likely feel very comfortable with the Wings given the number of Swedes on the roster and in the pipeline along with the Wings have a pretty hefty history with Swedes in the past.
- dcz28

Mornin'. There's no doubt numerous items that go into agreeing to a trade (if there's a Trade Clause...). I'm not sure DRW has anything of serious availability to make a big-time trade. To that, I mean we're not trading Rayzor, etc... I'd not make major moves this season. If I was Todd Mac; Tarasenko, Holl maybe, w/retention), Petry, Mott..... would be available. GR is in good shape, ASP has got to be in NA next season (if not end of this...). Of course we need a "super-star 1C, but who and at what cost......and when?

Lots to consider but a new coaching staff & plans lend themselves to seeing what we truly have on the team before making moves. Heck, Kane was out there last night blocking lanes & being all defensive-n-stuff (at least for Kane...). Guys are buying in and playing to win. I wouldn't change much, if anything.

Mornin'. There's no doubt numerous items that go into agreeing to a trade (if there's a Trade Clause...). I'm not sure DRW has anything of serious availability to make a big-time trade. To that, I mean we're not trading Rayzor, etc... I'd not make major moves this season. If I was Todd Mac; Tarasenko, Holl maybe, w/retention), Petry, Mott..... would be available. GR is in good shape, ASP has got to be in NA next season (if not end of this...). Of course we need a "super-star 1C, but who and at what cost......and when?

Lots to consider but a new coaching staff & plans lend themselves to seeing what we truly have on the team before making moves. Heck, Kane was out there last night blocking lanes & being all defensive-n-stuff (at least for Kane...). Guys are buying in and playing to win. I wouldn't change much, if anything.
- mcmastermike1968

Gotta consider those pesky no-trade clauses, Mike. Tank has a FULL no-trade clause this year, and besides his value is at it's lowest EVER. It would take a massive swetener for a team to take him.

Some observations during this win streak:

Johansson has only had ice time in 21 of 41 NHL games (under LaLonde). This is another example of inept player management by LaLonde. Nice way to stunt the development of a very good young player. Now that McClelland is letting him play he's been a great addition to the defense of this team. Him and Edvinsson were an outstnding defensive pairing in GR... You'd think LaLonde would have at least tried it in Detroit.... but nope. Johansson just needs to put on a few more pounds and bulk up. McClelland is a much better assessor of talent.

The players are less worried about losing ice time or penalized when they play if they make a mistake (especially the young players). They are more free to use their offensive creativity under McClelland... McClelland has told them to "shoot the puck". Now we're getting more shots per game... which translates to more goals. They need to keep it rolling. McClelland has infused a shoot first mentality and the players are buying in.

Noticed the Wings are using a 1-2-2 system under McClelland and playing it pretty well for the most part. THeir clogging up the neutral zone and taking away time and space from the other team. We're seeing a lot less odd-man rushes into their own end. The goalies aren't getting shelled as much the last few weeks. I'd say what really stands out is the team is just hustling and working a LOT harder than before.

Some observations during this win streak:

Johansson has only had ice time in 21 of 41 NHL games (under LaLonde). This is another example of inept player management by LaLonde. Nice way to stunt the development of a very good young player. Now that McClelland is letting him play he's been a great addition to the defense of this team. Him and Edvinsson were an outstnding defensive pairing in GR... You'd think LaLonde would have at least tried it in Detroit.... but nope. Johansson just needs to put on a few more pounds and bulk up. McClelland is a much better assessor of talent.

The players are less worried about losing ice time or penalized when they play if they make a mistake (especially the young players). They are more free to use their offensive creativity under McClelland... McClelland has told them to "shoot the puck". Now we're getting more shots per game... which translates to more goals. They need to keep it rolling. McClelland has infused a shoot first mentality and the players are buying in.

Noticed the Wings are using a 1-2-2 system under McClelland and playing it pretty well for the most part. THeir clogging up the neutral zone and taking away time and space from the other team. We're seeing a lot less odd-man rushes into their own end. The goalies aren't getting shelled as much the last few weeks. I'd say what really stands out is the team is just hustling and working a LOT harder than before.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I do like the more aggressive play especially in the defensive zone but it has led to some odd man rushes last night with their defense pinching in at the offensive blueline. The first Chicago goal was a result of that with Chiarot pinching in with Motte covering but it ended up a 3 on 2 because Chiarot was too slow getting back and Chicago ended up scoring. A little later Chiarot got caught again doing it which led to a 2 on 1 against Seider which they didn't score on.

They still have some things to work on with their pinching in at the offensive blueline and making sure they don't give odd man rushes but their aggressive play is resulting in more turnovers for the other team or at the very least they don't seem to be spending more than half the period in their zone watching the other team pass it around now.

Gotta consider those pesky no-trade clauses, Mike. Tank has a FULL no-trade clause this year, and besides his value is at it's lowest EVER. It would take a massive swetener for a team to take him.

- HenryHockey

Ah, crap. Good call, my friend.

I'm really disappointed in Tank. I mean, I wasn't thinking Federov or Magic Man play, but.....this guy couldn't hit water falling out of a boat right now. So, yeah.....🤞 for him to find a viable game. I will say that he's getting more physical - crashing the net some more, getting onto the body more. But still, if we had his $4.7+ off the books. ...

I do like the more aggressive play especially in the defensive zone but it has led to some odd man rushes last night with their defense pinching in at the offensive blueline. The first Chicago goal was a result of that with Chiarot pinching in with Motte covering but it ended up a 3 on 2 because Chiarot was too slow getting back and Chicago ended up scoring. A little later Chiarot got caught again doing it which led to a 2 on 1 against Seider which they didn't score on.

They still have some things to work on with their pinching in at the offensive blueline and making sure they don't give odd man rushes but their aggressive play is resulting in more turnovers for the other team or at the very least they don't seem to be spending more than half the period in their zone watching the other team pass it around now.
- dcz28

Chiarot. I'm not a fan, haven't been for a while. There are stretches in games when he plays well, great anticipation, blocks lanes, etc.... But he's not been worth the money.

When I watch the D dudes play now, you can see the game-plans are too much for some to handle - Chiarot doesn't appear to have the agility to react as quickly as he's needed to. He anticipates well (not great, but.....), but by the time the message gets from his brain to his toes, he's already behind. He's a decent
defender and a good guy in the room from what I read, but the time has come for us to move on from him.

I do like the more aggressive play especially in the defensive zone but it has led to some odd man rushes last night with their defense pinching in at the offensive blueline. The first Chicago goal was a result of that with Chiarot pinching in with Motte covering but it ended up a 3 on 2 because Chiarot was too slow getting back and Chicago ended up scoring. A little later Chiarot got caught again doing it which led to a 2 on 1 against Seider which they didn't score on.

They still have some things to work on with their pinching in at the offensive blueline and making sure they don't give odd man rushes but their aggressive play is resulting in more turnovers for the other team or at the very least they don't seem to be spending more than half the period in their zone watching the other team pass it around now.
- dcz28

Yes... I saw both of those defensive lapses by Chiarot. Not too smart to have Bedard behind him closer to the Wings' net. Seider will continue to save his butt if he keeps playing with him. Wings are still sorely lacking defensive depth... Yzerman should have addressed that in the last offseason but didn't. Hopefully McClelland had a chat with Chairot about his being caught out of position both times. At least it's not happening nearly as often as it was... so I'll take the improvement for now.

Chiarot. I'm not a fan, haven't been for a while. There are stretches in games when he plays well, great anticipation, blocks lanes, etc.... But he's not been worth the money.

When I watch the D dudes play now, you can see the game-plans are too much for some to handle - Chiarot doesn't appear to have the agility to react as quickly as he's needed to. He anticipates well (not great, but.....), but by the time the message gets from his brain to his toes, he's already behind. He's a decent
defender and a good guy in the room from what I read, but the time has come for us to move on from him.
- mcmastermike1968

My biggest issue with Chiarot aside from him missing assignments in the defensive zone was him playing like some offensive defenseman carrying the puck into the offensive zone and often getting caught down low in the offensive zone. Even with playing like that he still couldn't put the offense to be worth him playing like that. He needs to play more of a stay at home role to be useful but so far he refuses to do that.

Yes... I saw both of those defensive lapses by Chiarot. Not too smart to have Bedard behind him closer to the Wings' net. Seider will continue to save his butt if he keeps playing with him. Wings are still sorely lacking defensive depth... Yzerman should have addressed that in the last offseason but didn't. Hopefully McClelland had a chat with Chairot about his being caught out of position both times. At least it's not happening nearly as often as it was... so I'll take the improvement for now.
- Vladdie_Kon1

I was pretty disappointed when Yzerman not only didn't improve the defense but actually made it worst last summer. He needs to get it done this summer for this team to be a consistent playoff team.