Duffer’s Dabbles: Billebeino A Hit For Fomer Red Wings Forward Leino

It was clear almost from the outset when he arrived with the Detroit Red Wings. Forward Ville Leino wasn’t going to be someone who flowed with the NHL traffic. In a paint by number culture, he was someone who did his best creative work outside those lines.

Leino and then-Red Wings coach Mike Babcock never saw eye to eye. During the 2009-10 season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. There, in the spring of 2009-10, Leino posted 7-14-21 totals in the Philly’s run to the Stanley Cup final. That total ended up setting a new playoff mark for rookies.

Valtteri Filppula and super fresh Pineapple cap + pocket tee combo🍍🍍🍍 Get yours at https://t.co/6T8ki8pYXl pic.twitter.com/5zR9xndLQt

— Billebeino (@billebeino) July 20, 2016

”I had to bite my tongue so many times over the years,” Leino told Hockey Wanderlust. “Yes, hockey is a team sport and you’re expected to fall in line, but hockey is such a conservative world.”

He’s a self-taught musician, artist and yes, hockey player. Leino has added clothing designer to his repertoire since leaving the NHL. His Billebeino line is growing rapidly in popularity. He’s produced clothing lines in conjunction with the Angry Birds, the Beatles, New Balance and EA Sports. Among the celebrities serving as brand influencers for Billebeino are Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen, and NHLers Tuukka Rask, Teemu Selanne and former Red Wing Valtteri Filppula.

Down On The Farm

The AHL Grand Rapids Griffins fell to 0-5-0-1 in their last six trips to Manitoba. They lost to the Moose 3-2 on Saturday.

Finishing the night with a goal and an assist, Turner Elson extended his goal-scoring streak to three games.

Around The NHL

Detroit – Goalie Sebastian Cossa and defenseman Simon Edvinsson, Detroit’s 2021 first-round draft picks, are offering inklings that like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, they could quickly become impactful Red Wings.

Boston – It’s probably just a coincidence that Bruins goalies Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman both are stepping up their game since Tuukka Rask participate in a Boston practice.

Islanders: The Isles come to Little Caesars Arena to face the Red Wings on Tuesday. Coach Barry Trotz sent his struggling team a message by benching veteran forward Anthony Beauvillier for Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.