Red Wings Wrap: Sundqvist, Walman Deplane To Fly With Wings

Oskar Sundqvist and Jake Walman were about to soar into the sky. Instead, they became Detroit Red Wings.

Seated on a plane awaiting takeoff for a road trip with the St. Louis Blues, that’s when the call came. Get off the plane, Blues GM Doug Armstrong told both players.

They wouldn’t be flying but they would be earning their wings – they’d been dealt to the Red Wings.

“We were both on the plane with St. Louis, ready to take off to Washington when we got a phone call from Armstrong saying we’ve been traded to Detroit,” Sundqvist said. “So it’s basically get out of your seat, get your suit back on, start from the back of the plane to the front and say bye to everyone. Get off, find your suitcase and your stuff.”

Words cannot describe how great full I am for everything @StLouisBlues , the city of St.Louis and most importantly the people in STL! You guys have been amazing from day 1!! Now a new chapter begins with the @DetroitRedWings and I’m very excited to get started!!

— Oskar Sundqvist (@sundqvist32) March 22, 2022

Almost immediately thereafter, the newest Red Wings were getting welcoming messages from a couple of legends

“Right after that (Detroit GM Steve) Yzerman called and welcomed me and said there was someone what wanted to talk to me,” Sundqvist said. “I talked to Nicklas Lidstrom a little bit, so it was a nice surprise.

“I think when you’re from Sweden everyone knows who Nick Lidstrom is. It was awesome to talk to him. Got to meet him a quick little bit this morning.”

#70 & #8 on the ice this morning. pic.twitter.com/QKjDBYgpoS

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 22, 2022

Both players will be in the lineup as the Red Wings play host to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday at Little Caesars Arena (7 p.m. ET).

“It’s great to be where you’re wanted,” Walman added.

Griffins Clear Day Roster Set

The NHL trade deadline is also the day that AHL Clear Day rosters must be set. Players not on the Clear Day roster are ineligible for the Calder Cup playoffs.

Monday, the Wings ensured that forwards Taro Hirose and Joe Veleno were added to the Clear Day roster of the Grand Rapids Griffins. This means both players will be able to keep playing once the Red Wings season comes to a close.

The Griffins are beginning a four-game California road trip on Tuesday against the Ontario Reign.

In Case You Missed It

A recap of the Red Wings’ day as the NHL trade deadline fell.

• Vladislav Namestnikov was dealt to the Dallas Stars
• Nick Leddy brought a haul from the St. Louis Blues
• Who are the newest Red Wings and what can they bring to the team?
• Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman does the expected on deadline day

NHL Trade Deadline Fallout

Vegas: When is a trade not a trade? The Vegas Golden Knights dealt Evgeni Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks in search of much-needed cap space. The problem is, Dadonov has a no-movement clause in his contract and doesn’t desire to quack like a Duck. Thus, the trade is in limbo as the NHL tries to sort things out.

Montreal: Did the Colorado Avalanche overpay the Montreal Canadiens for forward Artturi Lehkonen?

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Pittsburgh: How do the Pittsburgh Penguins stack up against the rest of the Eastern Conference now that the dealing’s done?

Colorado: On paper the Colorado Avalanche are the NHL’s best team. But are the Avs closer to winning the Stanley Cup following their deadline acquisitions?