Jeremy Laura: Wings vs. Caps, is this “make or break?”

Petry out with an illness, Walman questionable, Husso a ways away and will require a game in GR, I guess Holl will have to save this team!!!!

"The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward prospect Emmitt Finnie to his entry-level deal (Twitter link). Finnie just concluded his third season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and will join the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur try-out for the remainder of the season.

Finnie has earned his entry-level deal just one year after being selected in the seventh round – turning pro after recording 19 goals, 40 assists, and 59 points in 62 WHL games this season; career-highs in all three stats and Finnie’s first point-per-game juniors season. He recorded just 35 points in 64 games last season, but his off-puck impact was too notable for Detroit to ignore at the draft. Finnie makes a play every single shift, showing a keen understanding of where to place himself to force puck battles or intercept passes He may not be the fastest or the flashiest, but he’s a physical forward who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. That mantra has earned Finnie big minutes with Kamloops this season, averaging 22:47 across 75 games – including the preseason. His role amped up in the final stretch, too, with Finnie recording over 27 minutes of ice time in two of his last three games.

Detroit has now awarded Finnie’s efforts, making him the first player from the 2023 seventh round to sign his entry-level deal. He’s bound to face an uphill battle with the AHL’s quicker pace and heavier hitting, though he’ll join a Griffins lineup that’s managed 31 wins in 60 games and ranks 11th in the league in points – giving him the security of joining in a winning lineup."
BY GABRIEL FOLEY

I really like this kid and his tenaciousness!

"The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward prospect Emmitt Finnie to his entry-level deal (Twitter link). Finnie just concluded his third season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and will join the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur try-out for the remainder of the season.

Finnie has earned his entry-level deal just one year after being selected in the seventh round – turning pro after recording 19 goals, 40 assists, and 59 points in 62 WHL games this season; career-highs in all three stats and Finnie’s first point-per-game juniors season. He recorded just 35 points in 64 games last season, but his off-puck impact was too notable for Detroit to ignore at the draft. Finnie makes a play every single shift, showing a keen understanding of where to place himself to force puck battles or intercept passes He may not be the fastest or the flashiest, but he’s a physical forward who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. That mantra has earned Finnie big minutes with Kamloops this season, averaging 22:47 across 75 games – including the preseason. His role amped up in the final stretch, too, with Finnie recording over 27 minutes of ice time in two of his last three games.

Detroit has now awarded Finnie’s efforts, making him the first player from the 2023 seventh round to sign his entry-level deal. He’s bound to face an uphill battle with the AHL’s quicker pace and heavier hitting, though he’ll join a Griffins lineup that’s managed 31 wins in 60 games and ranks 11th in the league in points – giving him the security of joining in a winning lineup."
BY GABRIEL FOLEY

I really like this kid and his tenaciousness!
- HenryHockey

I just got back from some errands. What an incredible jump. 7th rounder to ELC in your first post draft year. I will give anyone a lot of credit who can do that. Obviously gone are the Datsyuk, Zetterberg days but seeing a potential diamond in the rough who worked their way into the organization has to be an amazing feeling for him and his family. I think the ELC comes with a pretty decent signing bonus as well. Good walking around money!

"The Detroit Red Wings have signed forward prospect Emmitt Finnie to his entry-level deal (Twitter link). Finnie just concluded his third season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and will join the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur try-out for the remainder of the season.

Finnie has earned his entry-level deal just one year after being selected in the seventh round – turning pro after recording 19 goals, 40 assists, and 59 points in 62 WHL games this season; career-highs in all three stats and Finnie’s first point-per-game juniors season. He recorded just 35 points in 64 games last season, but his off-puck impact was too notable for Detroit to ignore at the draft. Finnie makes a play every single shift, showing a keen understanding of where to place himself to force puck battles or intercept passes He may not be the fastest or the flashiest, but he’s a physical forward who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. That mantra has earned Finnie big minutes with Kamloops this season, averaging 22:47 across 75 games – including the preseason. His role amped up in the final stretch, too, with Finnie recording over 27 minutes of ice time in two of his last three games.

Detroit has now awarded Finnie’s efforts, making him the first player from the 2023 seventh round to sign his entry-level deal. He’s bound to face an uphill battle with the AHL’s quicker pace and heavier hitting, though he’ll join a Griffins lineup that’s managed 31 wins in 60 games and ranks 11th in the league in points – giving him the security of joining in a winning lineup."
BY GABRIEL FOLEY

I really like this kid and his tenaciousness!
- HenryHockey

I'll be at the Griffins game tomorrow night. Wonder if he'll be in the lineup or will be a healthy scratch. Don't know much about him. We'll see how it goes.

Petry out with an illness, Walman questionable, Husso a ways away and will require a game in GR, I guess Holl will have to save this team!!!!
- HenryHockey

Pretty stupid decision to leave Sprong out of the lineup tonight. The 4th line is way more potent with him on it and Veleno at center instead of Czarnik. They need Sprong on the PP as well.

I'll be at the Griffins game tomorrow night. Wonder if he'll be in the lineup or will be a healthy scratch. Don't know much about him. We'll see how it goes.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Very good point. The AHL is (in my mind) a bit more physical and a few steps slower than the NHL. You’d want to do what you can to keep him from being “welcomed” to the league. If we lived closer to GR, we’d be at a lot of games. Used to shoot over quite a bit. The energy is so different, it’s a fun crowd, the pregame dune buggy on the ice and just crazy stuff going on. I always wanted to be in the “recliner” section. Just a lot of cool touches that makes it special.

Keep us posted if you get to see him up close.

Pretty stupid decision to leave Sprong out of the lineup tonight. The 4th line is way more potent with him on it and Veleno at center instead of Czarnik. They need Sprong on the PP as well.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Sprong is a player I like. I don’t like the decision. Hoping they can weave him into a few more years.

It won't be easy for the Red Wings as 7 of the last 11 games are on the road against many good teams. Based on their remaining schedule they may wind up being on the outside looking in come playoff time.

It won't be easy for the Red Wings as 7 of the last 11 games are on the road against many good teams. Based on their remaining schedule they may wind up being on the outside looking in come playoff time.
- Bigfrog

Yeah, it’s a tight margin of error. Hopefully a fun ride to the end!

I agree on Sprong. This is a coaching issue. You are better having him with less minutes with that lethal shot than having more minutes with AC. I like how coach has reverted back to the solid lines, but man, the way you correct bad defensive coverage is cutting minutes.

Very good point. The AHL is (in my mind) a bit more physical and a few steps slower than the NHL. You’d want to do what you can to keep him from being “welcomed” to the league. If we lived closer to GR, we’d be at a lot of games. Used to shoot over quite a bit. The energy is so different, it’s a fun crowd, the pregame dune buggy on the ice and just crazy stuff going on. I always wanted to be in the “recliner” section. Just a lot of cool touches that makes it special.

Keep us posted if you get to see him up close.
- Jeremy Laura

Van Andel is a awesome venue for AHL hockey... state of the art facility. I haven't gotten around to sitting in the recliner section yet. I noticed this new rookie has the same birthday as myself. So he's gotta be solid right ?? He's 18 now... same age as Tatar when he first joined the Griffins.

Van Andel is a awesome venue for AHL hockey... state of the art facility. I haven't gotten around to sitting in the recliner section yet. I noticed this new rookie has the same birthday as myself. So he's gotta be solid right ?? He's 18 now... same age as Tatar when he first joined the Griffins.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Man, Tats paid dues in GR. I loved how hard he punched up. He could light up the locker room and that stadium.

Actually (crazy aside) I like the stadium food there better than when we would go to the Joe. Price wise, way more accessible than LCA. Good burgers, just a fun night out that doesn’t pinch quite so much in the wallet area.

Rough playoff odds depending on tonight's outcome (extrapolated from Micah Blake McCurdy's projections). Percentages add up to 200 because there are 2 spots available.

Pre-game
PHI 75%, WAS 65%, Det 35%, Other 25%

Regulation win
PHI 75%, WAS 50%, DET 50%, Other 25%

OT win
PHI 70%, WAS 60%, DET 45%, Other 25%

OT loss
PHI 70%, WAS 75%, DET 30%, Other 25%

Regulation loss
WAS 80%, PHI 75%, DET 20%, Other 25%

Detroit Red Wings, .576: Detroit's recent 3-9-0 stretch has put them on a pursuit of a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. They have the second-most challenging remaining schedule among Eastern Conference playoff contenders, having to face Tampa, Toronto, Florida, Carolina and the New York Rangers over their final 11 games. They do, however, get to face the Washington Capitals two more times — one at home and one on the road — as those loom large since the Lightning have pulled seven points ahead. If they're in it until the end, the Wings will wrap up the regular season with a home-and-home against Montreal.

Sprong is a player I like. I don’t like the decision. Hoping they can weave him into a few more years.
- Jeremy Laura

Can't imagine he'll be all that interested after being healthy scratched down the stretch here.

All these UFAs, with Holl and Sprong being often scratched, millions of dollars wasted, Showtime Kane and they still can't beat a team that has Ovechkin as their leader, who can barely skate anymore?
They should have just continued the rebuild, there is no gain in drafting 15th or 14th or whatever.
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