The Daily: Gretzky Amazed By Bruins; Red Wings Getting There?

The Detroit Red Wings’ future had a moment in the present Sunday night during their 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple. First-round picks Moritz Seider (2019), Simon Edvinsson (2021), Lucas Raymond (2020) and Marco Kasper (2022) were all on the ice together.

A scrum broke out and each of the young Red Wings had their belligerence showing. Even after officials thought they had order restored, Detroit’s big defensemen Seider and Edvinsson were still trying to get the last word in with their Toronto counterparts.

It wasn’t a major event. The Maple Leafs are a Stanley Cup contender and the Red Wings will miss the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season. But if you are a Red Wings fan, for a brief moment, you might have thought “Maybe, this Red Wings group is starting to get somewhere.”

Pushback. Competitiveness. Being hard to play against. Edginess. Those are traits that general manager Steve Yzerman and coach Derek Lalonde want in their rebuilding team. Seeing four Detroit first-round prospects standing up for each other seemed almost symbolic.  All four should be with the Red Wings next season.

And don’t forget that Albert Johansson was one of the most consistent defenseman in Grand Rapids this season. He might be up with the Red Wings had he not suffered an injury. Carter Mazur and William Wallinder are playing in Grand Rapids now.  Maybe the future isn’t as far away it seems.

Marco Kasper, Simon Edvinsson, Moritz Seider & Lucas Raymond#LGRW pic.twitter.com/zDFz8tGC7A

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 3, 2023

Wallinder Update

Defenseman William Wallinder (drafted 32nd overall by Red Wings in 2020) was -2 with two shots on goal in his debut with Grand Rapids Griffins Sunday. They lost 5-1 to the Rockford IceHogs.

Wallinder had seven goals and 26 points in 50 games this season for Rogle in the Swedish Hockey League. He has another five games with the Griffins this season to give fans a glimpse of how he plays.

First look at William Wallinder skating for the Grand Rapids Griffins #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/TDwOToOYGV

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 2, 2023

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Marco Kasper makes NHL debut and Detroit beat Toronto Maple Leafs

Coach Derek Lalonde has strong praise for Kasper’s emphasis on two-way play.

Goalie Alex Nedejkovic will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. His impressive play recently will help his cause when he looks for work in the offseason.

Red Wings’ Next Game

The Red Wings (34-33-9) finish their three-game Canadian road trip with a game against the Montreal Canadiens. The Red Wings have won three of their last four games, with wins over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has all three of the wins, stopping 109 of 117 shots (.932 save percentage).

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Hockey Now: The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, offered high praise for the Bruins for what he says is an amazing regular-season. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Where the Colorado Avalanche at with seven games remaining in the regular-season? Evan Rawal offers his opinion. Colorado Avalanche.

FanDuel Sportsbook Promo #1

ALL STATES WHERE LEGAL

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUS$1000 No Sweat Bet
$1000 No Sweat BetBET NOW

Florida: The clock is ticking. Panthers have five games left to qualify for the NHL playoffs. Florida Panthers. 

Los Angeles: Goalie Phoenix Copley continues to deliver solid play for the Los Angeles Kings.

Montreal: Defenseman Mike Matheson has emerged as a leader on the Montreal squad. Montreal Canadiens.

Philadelphia: Sidney Crosby was again a Flyers killer in Pittsburgh’s triumph. Philadephia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Evgeni Malkin had four minor penalties in the game against the Philadephia Flyers. Pittsburgh Penguins

San Jose: Former Red Wings minor leaguer Kyle Criscuolo scored his first NHL goal for the Sharks on his dad’s birthday. San Jose Sharks.