In what seems like almost an annual event, there is speculation that the Arizona Coyotes franchise could once again be on the move. In essence, they’ve been evicted from Gila River Arena by the city of Gendale, which terminated the Coyotes’ lease. The team owes the city nearly $1.5 million.

Are they going to Kansas City? Is a rebirth of the Quebec Nordiques in the cards?

In reality, something will probably worked out. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has a history of moving whatever obstacles are in the way of the Coyotes’ continued life in the Arizona desert, so in all likelihood, they’ll find a way to smooth things over and keep the team in the Phoenix area. But let’s play Devil’s advocate for a moment. How could a Coyotes relocation impact the Red Wings?

Suppose they go to Quebec. The NHL already has 16 teams in the Eastern time zone. Some club would need to head to the Western Conference to balance the books and the budget.

Logically, that team would probably be the Red Wings. In 2013, the Wings were moved from the West to the East. Going back to the West would increase the team’s travel budget but considered the dearth of quality clubs on that side of the NHL, might improve their playoff chances during the current rebuild.

Defending Mr. Wilson

Washington: Bettman appeared on New York radio station WFAN on Thursday. Along with reassuring all that he wasn’t a bit concerned about the Coyotes season he also took time to defend the work George Parros and the Department of Player Safety during last season’s Tom Wilson fiasco between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers.

Ex-Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith of the Rangers, who challenged Wilson for his attacks on Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin, also appeared on Sirius-XM and discussed the Wilson epside very cryptically. “To be honest, once my career is over, there’ll be more info that will come to fruition about the whole incident,” Smith said. “All I can say at the moment is that I personally wish the league handled it a little bit differently. I think that we had to take care of our superstars 100 percent and then it wouldn’t have hit the fan like it did.”

Vancouver: Canada solve the USA and win the upcoming IIHF women’s world championship?

Chase Boston Reunion Unlikely

Boston: While the St. Louis Blues hold discussions with Zdeno Chara, there appears to be little chance of a Chara reunion with the Boston Bruins.

Detroit: Look Frans – no team. The Red Wings took advantage of the CBA-induced buyout opportunity offered by the Adam Erne arbitration case to shed themselves of the horrible free-agent contract the team’s previous regime tendered to forward Frans Nielsen.

Yahoo!: EA Sports says it was Auston Matthew’s charisma that made him the choice to be the cover boy for NHL 22. Is that what they’re calling mooning a female security guard through a car window these days?

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The Buffalo News is reporting defenseman Owen Power, the No. 1 pick in the recent NHL draft, has made it official that he is returning to play at the  University of Michigan next season.

Power, picked by the Sabres, had previously said he was leaning toward staying in school. The Michigan team has the talent to compete for a national championship.  Matty Benier (No. 2, Seattle Kraken) and Kent Johnson (No. 5, Columbus Blue Jackets) are also expected to return to the Wolverines.

The last time a No. 1 pick didn’t immediately join his NHL team was 2006 when Erik Johnson went back to the University of MInnesota rather than sign with the St. Louis Blues. The Sabres are expected to be among the league’s worst teams this season.

Around the NHL

Boston: Bruins still expecting Rask to rejoin the team this season

Pittsburgh: Do the Penguins still have a trade in them before the season starts?

San Jose: The Sharks, because of state mandates, will require proof of vaccination to attend home games to start the season.

Washington: The case for keeping Evgeni Kuznetsov

The post Kevin’s Morning Hash: Wolverines star stays in school, not going to Buffalo appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Arizona must forfeit the No. 11 pick for illegally working out players: Thus the No. 12 pick is really the No. 11 pick in the NHL Draft and so on. Here is our final mock draft.

1. Buffalo Sabres: Defenseman Owen Power, Michigan, Big Ten

He’s 6-foot-5 and been compared to Victor Hedman because of his size and skating. Leaning toward staying at Michigan

2. Seattle Kraken: Matty Beniers,  Michigan, Big Ten

Beniers is a versatile, hard-working , two-way  center who had 24 points in 24 games for the Wolverines.

3.  Anaheim Ducks: Left wing/Center William Eklund, Sweden

Maybe the most talented player in the draft, wasn’t out of place in Swedish pro league

The post Detroit Hockey Now’s 2021 Final NHL Mock Draft | DHN+ appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Here is our Mock draft 2.0 in anticipation of the NHL entry draft on July 23:

1. Buffalo Sabres: Defenseman Owen Power, Michigan, Big Ten

He’s 6-foot-6 and been compared to Victor Hedman because of his size and skating. Leaning toward staying at Michigan

2. Seattle Kraken: Left wing/Center William Eklund, Sweden

Maybe the most talented player in the draft, a cross between Henrik Zetterberg and Sebastian Aho

The post Detroit Hockey Now’s 2021 NHL Mock Draft 2.0 | DHN+ appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings’ third consecutive poor season will only earn them a 7.6% chance of winning the No. 1 pick in tonight’s NHL draft lottery.

Based on the odds, the Red Wings have a 73.8% chance of picking at No. 6 or No. 7. The breakdown: Detroit has a 7.8% shot at picking second, a 30% chance of picking at No. 6 and 43.8% chance of drafting at No. 7. The Red Wings also have a 10.9% probability of finishing eighth.

The lottery will be televised in the U.S. on NBC Sports Network and NHL Network Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.. The expansion Seattle Kraken will enter the lottery the draft at No. 3 and they have a 20.5% of earning the No. 1, which is expected to be University of Michigan defenseman Owen Power.

Three Michigan players could land in Top 10

Michigan centers Matthew Berniers and Kent Johnson are also highly rated. But unless the Red Wings pick first or second, it’s probable that Powers and Berniers will be gone when they select. Johnson (nine goals and 27 points in 26 games this season) could be available.

“(Johnson) has versatility, fast hands, and can control the puck and the play,” said Sportsology draft expert Russ Cohen.

The Red Wings are historically drawn to Swedish talent.  Speedy winger William Eklund projects to land in the No. 6-9 range.

“He has outstanding offensive instincts,” said Kyle Woodlief, chief scout for Redline Report, an independent scouting review.  “Constantly in motion; keeps his feet moving and challenges defenders with energy and desire.  Mid-season Covid bout cost him several weeks, but couldn’t keep him down long.”

Mike Sillinger’s son could end up a Detroit pick

Another potential intriguing pick for the Red Wings is Cole Sillinger,  a 6-foot center from Sioux Falls in the United State Hockey League. He netted 24 goals and 46 points in 31 games for Sioux Falls. Cole’s father, Mike Sillinger, was a Red Wings’ first round pick in 1989.

“Colie is a dual U.S./Canadian citizen was able to leave the WHL for the USHL in late December and wasted little time dominating the league.” Woodlief said.  “Dynamic player is a bull on skates, thick and extremely strong on his feet, able to drive through contact and get to the net at will. He loves to initiate physical contact and has the hands and shot to score at any level.  The puck comes off his blade like a missile.”

Other players projected to go in that No. 6-9 range: Center Mason McTavish (Peterborough, Ontario Hockey League) and defenseman Brandt Clarke, a Canadian who played in Slovakia this season.

Woodlief called McTavish “a powerful horse” who wins every battle. “He’s the safest Top 10 pick in this draft,” Woodlief said. “He’s the best faceoff man we’ve seen coming out of junior (hockey) in the last decade.”

Woodlief said Clarke is the most skilled offensive defenseman available in this draft.

Red Wings’ fall in 2020 triggers change in rules

The draft lottery was changed this season. The Red Wings’ fall from No. 1 to No. 4 last season could be viewed as the final straw that pushed the NHL toward change.  The Red Wings had the NHL’s worst record by far last season and it seem unfair to many that they ended up falling three spots.

This year a team can only fall two spots: the Buffalo Sabres have the worst record and they have a 31.6% chance at picking No. 1 or No. 2 . The Red Wings have the fifth-worst record, but are starting at No. 6 because of the Kraken’s arrival.

Also new this season: teams cannot win the lottery more than twice in a five-year period. Wins before this season don’t count.

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