The Daily: Tortorella Bans I-Pads in Philly; Griffins Scratch Vrana Again

Anyone hoping for a quick turnabout in the Jakub Vrana saga will be disappointed. Grand Rapids Griffins Coach Ben Simon scratched Vrana for the second consecutive game. The Griffins lost 4-0 Friday to the Iowa Wild.

When Simon was asked what Vrana needs to do to return to the lineup, he said: “Compete. Same thing as everyone else. Compete.”

American Hockey League teams are only permitted to use five non-goalies with 320 more games of NHL, AHL or elite European games of experience. But if the organization was pleased with Vrana’s progress, it seems likely Vrana would be playing. He has one assist in six games and he’s -6.

The Red Wings placed Vrana on waivers last week and then sent him to the Griffins after no team claimed him. Vrana played two games for the Red Wings in October and then entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for two months.

Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, in Grand Rapids on a conditioning assignment, was in net for the Griffins. He has played five games for Grand Rapids and is 2-2-1 with a 2.76 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.

Jesper Wallstedt was in goal for the Wild. The top two goalies for the 2021 draft were Wallstedt and Sebastian Cossa. The Red Wings opted for Cossa at No. 15.

In the words of Buffalo Springfield….. “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear”@DetroitRedWings forward Jakub Vrana a healthy scratch again tonight (veteran rule????). Alex Nedeljkovic @alexned_ back between the pipes for GR. @griffinshockey host Iowa pic.twitter.com/jG8kiiWQ4n

— Larry Figurski (@larryfigurski) January 14, 2023

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Ville Husso will start again in net for the Red Wings tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is an important game.

Robby Fabbri has been a fuel source for the Red Wings since he returned to the lineup.

Bob Duff looks at the good, bad and ugly of reuniting the Lucas Raymond-Dylan Larkin-Tyler Bertuzzi line.

Red Wings’ Next Game

The Red Wings (18-15-7) will be searching for their third consecutive home win tonight when they play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets (12-27-2).  Columbus has lost three in a row, and has only won two of its last 10.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Coach Jim Montgomery is hoping the Bruins’ loss to the Seattle Kraken was a wake-up call. Boston Bruins. 

Colorado: Would a healthy Gabe Landeskog solve all of Colorado’s problems. CHN’s Evan Rawal digs for the answer. Colorado Avalanche.

Florida: The Panthers brought Casey Fitzgerald home when they claimed him on waivers. He was born in Boca Raton when his father Tom played for the Panthers. Florida Panthers. 

Montreal: Is it too early to start sorting out the Canadiens’ 2023 draft options. Not at all. Montreal Canadiens.

New York: Is Neil Smith taking a role again with the Islanders? Stefen Rosner explains the rumors. New York Islanders.

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Philadelphia: Ivan Provorov knows about the trade rumors, but wants to stay with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins struggled to create offense in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose:  Do the Sharks really want three first round picks for Erik Karlsson? Sheng Peng has the story.  San Jose Sharks. 

Washington: Coach Peter Laviolette isn’t happy with his team’s play of late. He’s shuffling his lines again. Washington Capitals.