We see them every June and September in news about the Red Wings.

Young men who appear to have the world by the tail with talent and potential.

They just need some time to adjust to a higher level, to mold their talents into something that will help them reach, and thrive, at the next level.

The post Red Wings Prospects Don’t Always Pan Out (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Evgeny Svechnikov, a 2015 first-round draft pick of the club, is casting his lot this season with the KHL. Svechnikov is joining Ak Bars Kazan on a two-year contract. At least one Russian hockey writer thinks this is a bad idea.

“It’s hard to imagine how he will help the club,” wrote Alexey Shevchenko, special correspodent for Russian website SportExpress.ru. “He turned into a hockey player who does not understand what he does on the ice. Not suitable for the top six, he does not have the necessary qualities for the lower links.

“Imagine that Evgeny Svechnikov will play the way he did in most games for Winnipeg and San Jose. That is, absolutely nothing. And the money has been spent, and there is no extra money for defense, and there is discontent in the locker room. A strange step.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper were the only Red Wings players among the NHL Network’s top 50 NHL prospects
• When it comes to Detroit’s netminding future, Phil Osaer is the club’s goalie guru
• In this behind the paywall feature, we look at the top five debuts in a Red Wings uniform
• What to expect next season from Jonatan Berggren, Joe Veleno and Ville Husso as Detroit’s training camp nears

Red Wings Offseason

Preseason play has begun in the SHL. Leksand was making its exhibtion bow with a pair of games against Frolunda. It wasn’t a good debut for new netminder Filip Larsson. A Red Wings draftee who played one season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Larsson was lit up for four goals over an eight-minute span as Leksand lost 5-2.

Anton Johansson starting off preseason with a quietly steady performance with some decent looks offensively, Leksand lost the game 0-3 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Zd1jGa5Isl

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) August 10, 2023

Red Wings draftee Anton Johansson was playing on the Leksand defense but didn’t factor in the scoring. Returning to Lulea, forward Pontus Andreasson was scoring twice in a 7-6 loss to Pitea.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Which prospects have a legitimate chance to make the Pittsburgh Penguins this season?

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Flyers list two of the NHL’s top 10 prospects.

Montreal: These are the top three Montreal Canadiens players ready to make an impact.

Florida: Gus Forsling is ready to become a star for the Florida Panthers.

Buffalo: Four Buffalo Sabres players are rated among the NHL’s top 50 prospects.

Boston: Trent Federic is still open to the idea of playing center for the Boston Bruins.

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San Jose: One discouraging and two encouraging stats about new San Jose Sharks goalie MacKenzie Blackwood.

Vegas: Sirring up some fun Vegas Golden Knights trvia.

Los Angeles: Should the Los Angeles Kings be expecting center Phil Danault to repeat his career year again in 2023-24?

Chicago: Three Chicago Blackhawks wound up among the NHL top 50 prospects list unveiled by the NHL Network.

Colorado: Here are two former Colorado Avalanche forwards who are thriving in the KHL.

The post The Daily: Russian Columnist Lambastes Svechnikov; Former Red Wings Goalie Prospect Lit Up in Sweden appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

At one time the top player chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL entry draft, Evgeny Svechnikov is returning to where he got his start in hockey. The journeyman forward will be signing a contract with Ak Bars Kazan, one of the top teams in Russia’s KHL.

It will be the first time since the 2013-14 season that Svechnikov is appearing on the ice in his homeland. He was suiting up for three KHL games with AK Bars Kazan in the KHL that season. During his hockey development he was also playing U16, U 17 and MHL (Russian junior league) hockey for Ak Bars Kazan.

Artur Khairullin saying Evgeny Svechnikov to Ak Bars #KHL

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 5, 2023

Svechnikov was the 19th overall selection of the Red Wings in the 2015 NHL entry draft and has played in North America ever since. His totals are including 41 games for Detroit from 2016-21 during which he was producing 5-7-12 totals. He was also playing 186 AHL games with Detroit’s top farm club the Grand Rapids Griffins. Svechnikov was a 20-goal scorer for the Griffins in 2016-17.

A serious knee injury requiring surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on his right knee wound up scuttling Svechnikov’s entire 2018-19 season. He tallied just three goals in 25 games for the Red Wings after that.

Svechnikov Signs With Jets

Let go by Detroit following the 2020-21 season, Svechnikov would opt to be signing with the Winnipeg Jets. He spent the entire season in the NHL, collecting 7-12-19 numbers in 72 games. Joining the San Jose Sharks last season on a one-year deal, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound forward was again spending the entire campaign in the NHL. Svechnikov would be accounting for 8-6-14 numbers in 59 games for San Jose.

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The 26-year-old forward is comfortable playing either wing. Svechnikov is signing a two-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan, which will pay him 85 million Russian rubles, the equivalent of $886,571. He’ll get 40 million rubles the first season and 45 million rubles for the second year of the contract.

The post Former Red Wings Forward Svechnikov Signing With KHL appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Even though former Detroit Red Wings first-round draft pick Evgeny Svechnikov cleared waivers Wednesday, he will stay with the San Jose Sharks.

At least that’s the plan for now.

San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng reports  Svechnikov will play tonight in the Sharks’ home game against the Vancouver Canucks.

According to Puckpedia, “”Clearing waivers does not mean the player was sent down. It just means he’s eligible to be sent down. In this case they likely didn’t send him down.”

Quinn confirms that Barabanov, Sturm, Svechnikov are playing for #SJSharks tonight. Harrington in for Cicek

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 7, 2022

Peng said he believes the move is salary cap-related. The 26-year-old winger has three goals and six points in 20 games while averaging 10:48 of ice time this season.

After playing parts of four seasons with the Red Wings, Svechnikov didn’t get a qualifying offer. He signed a one-year deal with  the Winnipeg Jets who also let him become a free agent. The Sharks signed Svechnikov Sept. 6 and waived him Tuesday. He is making $750,000 on a one-year deal. He is the brother of Carolina Hurricanes star Andrei Svechnikov.

No Breakthrough Yet

The Red Wings drafted Svechnikov 19th overall in 2015 and he played a total of 41 games for the club. His best season with Detroit was 2020-21 when he had three goals and five assists for eight points in 20 games. Svechnikov did net 20 goals in his first full American Hockey League season for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

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When GM Steve Yzerman let him become a free agent, some fans complained Svechnikov never was given a fair chance to play with the Red Wings. But he hasn’t had a breakthrough in either Winnipeg or San Jose.

He did play 72 games with the Jets, and even played briefly on a scoring line, but at the end of the season they decided he wasn’t to be part of their long-term plans. He has also been a role player for San Jose.

The post Former Detroit Red Wings Player Evgeny Svechnikov Clears Waivers appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The San Jose Sharks signed Evgeny Svechnikov primarily to help their American Hockey League affiliate, not the parent club.

That’s the take of San Jose Hockey Now writer Sheng Peng.

Peng points out that the Sharks have more than a dozen players competing to be role players. The group includes: Svechnikov, Luke Kunin, Oskar Lindblom, Nick Bonino, Nico Sturm, Steven Lorentz, Noah Gregor, Matt Nieto, Jeffrey Viel, Jonah Gadjovich, Scott Reedy, Jasper Weatherby, and Max Veronneau.

The Sharks signed former Red Wings player Svechnikov to a two-way contract. The deal pays him $750,000 if he plays in San Jose. His salary is $350,000 if he plays for the San Jose Barracuda.

Peng’s analysis is Svechnikov will be the Barracuda’s highest-paid player and that he was brought in because new general manager Mike Grier wants to create a highly-competitive AHL squad with a winning culture.

In Case You Missed It

Former Red Wing standout Igor Larionov, now a Kontinental Hockey League coach, was criticized for signing his son. But the son showed father knows best when he scored in his Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod debut.

Nate Brown of Detroit Hockey Now offers his take on the five most valuable Detroit Red Wings.

A Swedish Hockey League team will retire the number of Jimmie Ericsson. He’s the brother of former Red Wings player Jonathan Ericsson.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now writes  defenseman Mike Reilly could be on the trade block. But it won’t happen until Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk return from the injury list. Boston Bruins.

Calgary: Writer Steve Macfarlane addresses whether the Flames should bring Joe Thornton to training camp on a PTO. Calgary Flames.

Colorado: New goaltender Alexandar Georgiev will wear No. 40 with the Avalanche. Red Wings fans associate Alex Tanguay to No. 40 because he played well vs. Detroit. Today, Tanguay is a Detroit assistant coach. Colorado Avalanche. 

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Florida: Colby Guy weighs in on whether Aaron Ekblad is one of the NHL’s top five defensemen. Florida Panthers. 

Montreal: Marco D’Amico, known for NHL draft expertise, gives his take on the Canadiens’ five most underrated prospects. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: Veteran writer Sam Carchidi offers five considerations about the Flyers as they prepare for  2022-23 training camp. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski offers a fun mixture of Penguins notes. He includes Matt Cullen comparing the Mike Sullivan aura to the Bill Belichick aura. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vancouver: JT Miller signed. Now, Rob Simpson of Vancouver Hockey Now addresses the fate of the Canucks’ remaining free agents. Vancouver Canucks.

Washington: Sammi Silber provides an insider’s view of Darcy Kuemper’s new Capitals mask. Washington Capitals. 

The post The Daily: Writer says Svechnikov Signed For AHL; Bruins to Deal D Man? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Evgeny Svechnikov, 25, is getting a third chance to make a first impression in an NHL uniform.

The San Jose Sharks signed him to a one year deal that pays him $750,000 if he sticks in the NHL and $350,000 if they send him to the American Hockey League. It’s similar to the deals that Detroit’s Steven Kampfer and Jussi Olkinuora have with the Detroit Red Wings.

According to CapFriendly.com, defenseman Kampfer receives $750,000 if he plays in Detroit and $300,000 if he lands in Grand Rapids. Meanwhile, goalie Olkinuora receives $750,000 in Detroit and $375,000 if he plays for the Griffins

Evgeny Svechnikov played well above replacement level last year including being the best RW for Connor and Dubois. He would cost little more than $1M at most for next year. Why would you throw away good cheap depth when good depth is already a big roster hole?? pic.twitter.com/vXjoqbx2uZ

— Bryan Johnston (@BryanJohnston18) July 11, 2022

Svechnikov, older brother to Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov, wasn’t linked to any NHL free agent rumors until he recently switched to agent Dan Milstein.

Evgeny Svechnikov can play left or right wing. The Detroit Red Wings drafted the 6-foot-3 Russian 19th overall in 2015. His development in Detroit was undermined by multiple injuries. The Red Wings didn’t extend him a qualifying offer after the 2020-21 season. That opened the door for a fresh start with the Winnipeg Jets last season.

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Wasn’t In Jets’ Plans

He produced seven goals and 19 points, but that wasn’t enough to earn a place in the Jets’ future plans. They didn’t make Svechnikov a qualifying offer, putting him in the unrestricted free agent pool.

With Mike Grier in place as a new general manager, the Sharks may be looking to do a reset on their roster. That could mean that the Sharks will give Svechnikov a true opportunity to show what he can do.

In Svechnikov’s 41 games in a Detroit uniform, he boasted a career 50.3 Corsi Rating. His Corsi was 48.8 last season with the Jets. When Svechnikov was drafted, the Red Wings hoped he would develop into a physical scoring winger. Today, he is viewed more as a middle six forward, a big body who can contribute secondary scoring. The Jets tried on a scoring line briefly last season.

The post Former Red Wings player Evgeny Svechnikov Gets a New Team appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg is in favor of seeing sweeping changes to the format of the World Junior tournament. Forsberg is vice chairman of the Swedish Hockey Association.

Pointing to the absence of key players from the Swedish team, including Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond, Forsberg told Gunnar Nordstrom of Expressen.se that he would prefer seeing more cooperation from NHL teams when it comes to stocking World Junior rosters.

#WaybackWednesday Mats Sundin, Peter Forsberg, Daniel Alfredsson and Nicklas Lidstrom representing Team World at the 1998 NHL Allstar Game in Vancouver @MapleLeafs @Avalanche @Senators @DetroitRedWings

(John Giamundo) pic.twitter.com/1rsEduyOP4

— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) August 25, 2022

“I want the NHL to release the best junior players,” Forsberg told Nordstrom. “It would be good for world junior hockey and would raise the status of the tournament even more,”

While Forsberg’s cause is noble, the fact of the matter is that it would’ve been serving no purpose in Raymond’s development to play earlier this month in Edmonton. He’s already spent an entire season playing on an NHL team’s top forward line.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• In pursuit of a new contract, former Red Wings forward Evgeny Svechnikov is switching agents
• Three-time Red Wings Stanley Cup winner Igor Larionov is coaching in the KHL
• Could 2022 Red Wings draft pick Anton Johansson prove to be a sleeper pick?

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: Penguins forward Jason Zucker was part of the winning team in Da Beauty League in Minnesota. Pittsburgh Penguins

Boston: Bruins coach Jim Montgomery is already mapping out his forward lines for next season. Boston Bruins

Islanders: New York GM Lou Lamoriello believes that the Islanders have the players to compliment Mat Barzal. New York Islanders

Philadelphia: New coach John Tortorella is of the belief that the Flyers should be motivated because so many NHL fans think they stink. Philadelphia Flyers

Washington: Could the next World Cup of Hockey be held without Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and the Russian team? Washington Capitals

Florida: Jettisoned by the San Jose Sharks, Rudolfs Balcers will be getting a real shot to make the Panthers. Florida Panthers

Colorado: Speculating on what Nathan MacKinnon’s next contract might look like. Colorado Avalanche

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Vegas: New signing Phil Kessel is ready to accept another number and doesn’t want Jonathan Marchessault to surrender No. 81 to him. Vegas Golden Knights

San Jose: Former Sharks director of amateur scouting Doug Wilson Jr. is joining the scouting staff of the Seattle Kraken. San Jose Sharks

Vancouver: Vancouver Hockey Now’s Rob Simpson thinks the Canucks should stack the middle of the ice this season. Vancouver Canucks

Calgary: Might the Flames be looking at UFA center Evan Rodrigues? Calgary Flames

Montreal: The Canadiens and Kirby Dach are making progress in contract talks. Montreal Canadiens

The post The Daily: Hall of Famer Forsberg Wants Revamping of World Junior Format appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Evgeny Svechnikov, still unsigned, has changed agents with the hope of helping his job search.

ESPN and NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes reported Svechnikov hired Dan Milstein to represent him. According to Puckpedia.com, he was previously represented by Mark Gandler & Todd Diamond of International Sports Advisors Co., Inc.

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The Detroit Red Wings drafted Svechnikov in the first round of the 2015 NHL draft. But he never played more than 21 games in the season. Signing with the Winnipeg Jets as a free agent, Svechnikov scored a career-high seven goals and totaled 19 points last season in 72 games.

The Jets didn’t make a qualifying offer to him this offseason and he remains as an unsigned UFA in the marketplace. He was making $874,000 last season.

Winnipeg could use another forward or two and Illegal Curve website speculated that the Jets might consider bringing him back as a role player. He is the brother of Carolina Hurricanes standout Andrei Svechnikov. Evgeny Svechnikov has size, but not the scoring touch of his brother.

Gagner to Edmonton

Meanwhile, speculation continues that center Sam Gagner will return to the Edmonton Oilers as a role player. He has played parts of the last three seasons in Detroit after coming over from the Oilers.

I am 100 % for Sam Gagner reuniting with the Oilers , his presence in that locker room cannot be understated. pic.twitter.com/62Dk4FoAhB

— Yamamoto97 (@Yamamoto97) August 16, 2022

Gagner is one of the more valuable UFAs still in the marketplace. He offers leadership, experience, effective penalty killing and a two-way playing style. He seems like a good fit for an Oilers team that sees itself as a contender. Gagner is an inexpensive option. He has played on an $850,000 contracts for the past two seasons in Detroit.

There’s been no reports or speculation about UFA center Carter Rowney who played for the Red Wings last season. His season was undermined by injury.

The post Unemployed Ex-Red Wing Svechnikov Switches Agents appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Two Detroit Red Wings’ first-round picks, Evgeny Svechnikov (drafted 19th in 2015) and Dennis Cholowski (drafted 20th in 2016), are among those still looking for jobs in the NHL free agent marketplace.

Some fans thought Svechnikov never had a fair opportunity in Detroit because of multiple injuries. There was a belief that he might find a home with the Winnipeg Jets. It didn’t happen. He received his opportunity, played 72 games, and registered seven goals and 19 points. He even spent some time on the team’s top line. The Winnipeg Jets didn’t make Svechnikov a qualifying offer, making him a free agent.

Meanwhile, Cholowski, claimed by Seattle in the expansion draft, was waived, claimed by Washington, waived by the Capitals and claimed again by Seattle. He played a total of 11 games with Washington and Seattle. He didn’t receive a qualifying offer, putting him in the free agent market.

Svechnikov is 25 and Cholowski is 24. Maybe an NHL team will give them a look. But isn’t it time to close the book on their long-term potential?

Dennis Cholowski fans, there is hope. https://t.co/EMuhyx5KxO

— The Grind Line Podcast (@GrindLinePod) July 12, 2022

In Case You Missed It

Nate Brown of Detroit Hockey Now contrasted the Detroit Red Wings‘ Yzerplan against the messy Philadelphia Flyers’ attempt to alter their future.

Detroit Hockey Now reviewed defenseman Jared McIsaac’s potential as a Detroit Red Wings‘ prospect.

Simon Edvinsson continues to grow on the Detroit Red Wings. He is now 6-foot-6 and change.

Trade talk

Montreal Hockey Now looks at the possibility that the Montreal Canadiens might flip newly-acquired center Kirby Dach. The Athletic originally reported about the possibility of Winnipeg and Montreal management discussing a Pierre-Luc Dubois deal.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Bruins assistant coach Joe Sacco interviewed to become the San Jose Sharks assistant coach.

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche are still trying to persuade Nazem Kadri to stay with the team. But there’s not a deal yet, according to Adrian Dater.

New York: Stefen Rosner has an interesting take on whether Nazem Kadri is a good fit for the New York Islanders. 

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Flyers hope it is time for Morgan Frost to become a bigger factor with the team.

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Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now breaks down the two recent Pittsburgh Penguins trades and he sees a problem.

San Jose: Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports that the San Jose Sharks will hire Scott Fitzgerald as their new scouting director.

Vancouver: Wired-in Hockey Now reporter Rob Simpson ranks the Vancouver Canucks‘ Russian players in terms of impact.

Washington: Sammi Silber of Washington Hockey Now writes about which prospects stood out during the Washington Capitals Development camp.

The post The Daily: Former Red Wings Svechnikov, Cholowski Looking For Work appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

As word spread across social media of Jeff Blashill’s dismissal as coach of the Detroit Red Wings, there was an interesting bit of info accompanying the posting of the news on Instagram.

Among the more than 5,000 people liking the news that Blashill wouldn’t return to Detroit’s bench next season was evgeny_svechnikov37. Yes, that Evgeny Svechnikov, the Winnipeg Jets forward and former Red Wings player.

Seems maybe Svech didn’t like him either pic.twitter.com/RYxL3agSzG

— Ryan (@RC_Tendy) April 30, 2022

Svechnikov was Detroit’s first-round draft choice in the 2015 NHL entry draft. The Red Wings took him 19th overall out of the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, where Svehcnikov was a two-time 30-goal scorer.

Svechnikov wasn’t nearly as productive or successful during his Red Wings days, which all came on Blashill’s watch. A 20-goal scorer as an AHL rookie with the Grand Rapids Griffins, that ended up earning Evgeny Svechnikov a two-game look with the Red Wings. He went pointless in that brief NHL chance.

Knee Injury Slowed Svechnikov

In 2017-18, Svechnikov got into 14 games with the Wings, counting two goals and two assists. He spent the majority of the campaign (57 games) in GR. He then blew out his knee, underwent major reconstructive surgery and missed the entire 2018-19 season.

Returning for the 2019-20 campaign, Svechnikov was limited to four scoreless games in Detroit, again skating most of the season in GR (51 games). Finally in 2020-21 he got his longest Detroit stint. Svechnikov ended up playing 21 games for the Red Wings, putting up 3-5-8 totals. He wasn’t offered another contract and signed as a free agent with the Jets last summer.

Evgeny Svechnikov slides home the nifty centering feed from Kyle Connor, restoring Winnipeg's lead in the third!#GoJetsGo pic.twitter.com/hCMuqSDnWI

— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) April 12, 2022

In Winnipeg, Svechnikov played his first fiull NHL season. He counted career-high 7-12-19 totals in 71 games.

Why Would Svechnikov Like Blashill Losing His Job?

It’s certainly rare in hockey for someone to take a public dig at a fellow NHL player or coach. What could be the cause of Svechnikov’s apparent joy at Blashill’s demise as Detroit coach? Well, it could be as simple as feeling he didn’t get a fair shake in Detroit. Or perhaps there’s more deep-seated resentment.

Early in the 2019-20 NHL season, right before a game against Carolina when Evgeny could’ve played for the first time against his younger brother, Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov, Evgeny was sent down to GR.

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“We have to make the decisions that are best for him, that are best for the organization,” Blashill said at the time. “I know he’d like to play against his brother. They’re extremely close.

“Evgeny’s as good a person as I’ve been around. He’s an excellent human being and certainly you’d love to make that happen. But we’re in the business of trying to win hockey games and trying to do what’s best for the individual players.”

Is that the basis for some lingering bitterness that Svechnikov is harboring toward Blashill? His like certainly makes us wonder what the issue might be.

The post Ex-Red Wings Forward Svechnikov Gets Subtle Dig In At Blashill’s Demise appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.