The Daily: Former Detroit Red Wings player Ryan Kuffner makes history in Iowa

For those wondering what ever happened to Detroit Red Wings prospect Ryan Kuffner, we have the answer.  In 2019, the Red Wings signed Kuffner out of Princeton with the hope that they had discovered a diamond in the rough.

Kuffner had scored 51 goals and registered 96 points in his last 67 games at Princeton. But Kuffner never worked out. He got 10 games with the Red Wings at the end of the 2018-19 season and never registered a point. The following season he played for Detroit’s American-League affiliate in Grand Rapids and netted six goals in 32 games.

Ryan Kuffner ended up playing in Germany in 2020-21 and resurfaced this season with the Iowa Heartlanders, a new East Coast Hockey League team. Kuffner got his new fans riled up in a big way two days ago when he scored the first goal in the new franchise’s history. 

The Heartlanders took down the Kansas City Monarchs, 7-4. Kuffner, 25, was named one of the stars of the game. He is one of the team’s alternate captains.

Rumor of the Day

Craig Morgan of GoPHNX notes that many teams seem interested in Arizona’s Phil Kessel. Fifteen scouts were watching Kessel on the top power-play last game

Around the NHL

Detroit: Gordie Howe. Steve Yzerman and now Lucas Raymond. The Swedish rookie sensation registered four points and put himself in the company of Red Wings Icons. 

Toronto: The Maple Leafs poor start has created tension with the fan base.  The heat is on the Maple Leafs…

Chicago: The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus asks a difficult question: At 0-5-1, when will  the Chicago Blackhawks management make a move?

Seattle:  The loud Kraken home debut was something to remember. 

Vegas:  With injuries piling up, the Golden Knights have lost four in a row. The New York Islanders shut them down and shut them out, 2-0. 

NY Islanders : Vegas lost, but Islanders fans still love Robin Lehner. 

Washington: Every point matters in the Metropolitan Division. Maybe five teams could make the playoffs. Maybe not. All we know for sure is a couple of quality teams will miss.  The Capitals don’t want to be that team. The Caps reconfigured their lines Sunday, and rookie Connor McMichael moved into the top-six.