Griddy of Red Wings Walman Isn’t Getting Canceled

Relax, Detroit Red Wings fans. The Griddy of Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman isn’t becoming a victim of cancel culture.

You may have seen a published report suggesting that the NHL is cracking down on goal celebrations by players and that Walman’s delightful Griddy is going to go the way of the maskless netminder.

It’s not. The league isn’t canceling the Griddy. In fact, if you’ve been paying attention, they are celebrating it.

Jake Walman (@walman_9) nets the @Energizer overtime winner on the penalty shot!

Guess what his celly was… 🕺 pic.twitter.com/EHX5Lgd0bU

— NHL (@NHL) February 10, 2024

When Walman beat Vancouver Canucks goalie Casey DeSmith on a penalty shot in Saturday’s 4-3 win by Detroit at Little Ceasars Arena, the NHL highlighted the entire moment – including the post-goal Griddy – on the league’s official social media account.

Friedman Report Taken Out Of Context

This entire rumor about cancel culture claiming the Griddy as a victim originates from something Hockey Night In Canada NHL insider Elliotte Frieman suggested during his popular 32 Thoughts podcast with co-host Jeff Marek. It was during a segment relating to the recent suspension of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly.

Rielly was handed a five-game sitdown by the NHL Department of Player Safety. He cross-checked Ottawa’s Ridly Greig in the face after the latter fired a slapshot in an empty Toronto net to clinch a Senators victory.

please stop retweeting the "nhl warns players following Griddy celebration" it's a literal nonstory based on Elliotte Friedman saying following the Morgan Rielly crosscheck, he'd expect the NHL to warn both teams not to "retaliate" for Walman hitting the Griddy

— Prashanth Iyer (@iyer_prashanth) February 15, 2024

Friedman noted that he wouldn’t be surprised if the league had spoken to the Red Wings and Canucks regarding any possibility retaliation by the Canucks over Saturday’s celebration by Walman. Considering what transpired in Toronto, that would make sense. It’s a proactive move to ensure that there won’t be any shenanigans.

What Friedman didn’t say, and what that league isn’t doing, is putting a stop to the Griddy. And why would they?

It’s entertaining moment. Walman isn’t taunting the opposition. He’s merely joyously celebrating a huge goal for his team. Remember, he’s only done the Griddy three times. There was last season following his OT winner at Pittsburgh. He also pulled it out earlier season after scoring in OT at Montreal.

“I hadn’t done it at home,” Walman said after Saturday’s win. “It’s cool.

“Anytime I can kind of show the fans what they want, I’m gonna do that. It was fun.”

Walman Will Griddy For Charity

Moving forward, Walman is intending to griddy for a good cause.

“In the next month I’m rolling out some initiative with that logo and the Griddy,” Walman explained. “It’ll benefit the boys and girls clubs in Detroit. All the proceeds are gonna go to that. It’ll be for a good cause.”