|
Svechnikov embracing his first Red Wings experience |
|
|
|
|
|
Dylan Larkin is turning heads every day.
“Larkin, he’s done nothing but impress since he started skating with us down here last summer,” Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard said. “The kid’s got nothing but his future in front of him.
“The sky’s the limit for him.”
Anthony Mantha is beginning to look like the guy who dominated junior hockey two years ago, scoring twice in the red and white game.
“Mantha, he had a great camp, played really well in the Red-White game and really stood out,” Howard said.
With the strong play of Detroit’s 2013 (Mantha) and 2014 (Mantha) first-round draft picks catching so much attention, it enabled 2015 top selection Evgeni Svechnikov to sort of fly under the radar at his first NHL training camp, allowing him the opportunity to take in all in while avoiding the glare of the spotlight.
“It was a lot of learning because it was first camp and first time on this level,” Svechnikov said. “Especially since it's pro hockey players, I was mostly watching just them.”
Svechnikov skated in his first NHL exhibition game Tuesday at the United Center as the Wings fell 5-4 in overtime to the Chicago Blackhawks.
It was a thrill for Svechnikov to see action against the team that won the Stanley Cup last spring.
“That's what I said to my parents,” Svechnikov said. “I’m going to go there and play against who won the Stanley Cup.”
Even though he’s a rookie, Svechnikov already appears to have a fairly good handle on the significance of the outcome of a pre-season game.
“You just go on ice and do your best,” he said. “It doesn't matter who wins or who doesn't win.”
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill likes what he’s seen from the 6-2, 199-pound winger selected 19th overall in last spring’s NHL entry draft.
“The first thing that I’d say with Geno – that’s the nickname I guess has been given to him – he seems to have that inner drive it takes for people to be great,” Blashill said. “That’s something I look for.
“Talent is one thing, but you have to have character and talent. He seems to have that type of character, that type of drive that’s going to allow him to continue to get better.
“That’s what Dylan Larkin has, that’s why he’s continued to progress. (Svechnikov is) real strong on the puck, he’s got really good hands, he can make plays with the puck, and his skating will continue to get better because he does have that inner drive.”
The Wings have done what they can to help Svechnikov feel comfortable, rooming him at their Traverse City portion of training camp with defenseman and fellow Russian Alexey Marchenko.
“He was helping me,” Svechnikov said. “Dylan Larkin, and the young guys just support me.
“Just new stuff, it's first time for me.”
Svechnikov’s roomie also enjoyed their time together at camp.
“I think it’s great to have one more countryman,” Marchenko said. “I hope he’s going to make the team one day and we’re going to play together.
“It’s great to spend time together and to speak your own language.”
For Svechnikov, being able to relax and learn without the sort of scrutiny placed upon Mantha and Larkin has been welcome.
“There’s a lot of stuff to learn,” Svechnikov said. “O-zone, D-zone, coaching, showing me the system, a lot of new stuff.
“I think the speed, the game how it's quick. You just chip the puck, pretty much deep, and go in the zone, stuff like that.”
It’s the next step up the ladder for Svechnikov and he is embracing the journey.
“It’s just hockey and life, off-ice and on ice,” he said. “That's all, I think.”
Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»