The Daily: Red Wings Boast Goalies on Elite Teams; NHL Rumors

The Detroit Red Wings’ development strategy seems to be to collect goalies from North America’s most highly ranked teams.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced Tuesday that the Moncton Wildcats are the No. 1-ranked team in Week 21.  One of Moncton’s goalkeepers is undefeated Detroit prospect Rudy Guimond (12-0, 1.56, .944). Yale-signee Guimond was drafted 169th in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Trey Augustine-led Michigan State Spartans passed Big Ten rival Minnesota, moving from third to second, in the USCHO national rankings. Boston College is No. 1.

Augustine made 29 saves last weekend to help the Spartans claim their second consecutive Big Ten title with a 5-2 win against Notre Dame.  They are sharing the title with Minnesota. South Lyon resident Augustine (42st, 2023) owns a 17-6-4 record with a 2.09 GAA and .925 save percentage.

Augustine is a sophomore, and will have a decision to make after this season about whether it is time to sign with the Red Wings.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff writes that coach Todd McLellan believes it’s now up to the Red Wings to write their own story

Moritz Seider joked that Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson were breathing through their eyelids when they were caught on a shift of more than four minutes.

Paywall story: Why Shayne Gostisbehere‘s departure didn’t hurt the Red Wings power play. If you want to subscribe to DHN+ stories, click here.

Detroit prospect defenseman Shai Buium scored the first goal of his professional career in Grand Rapids’ loss to Manitoba.

Red Wings Extra

Out of a playoff position for the first time in a month, the Red Wings have a home game Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network). Utah is 6-3 in its last nine games. The team recently signed former Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta to a three-year contract extension for $3.5 million per season. GM Steve Yzerman traded Maatta to Utah earlier in the season. The Red Wings returned Sheldon Dries to Grand Rapids, which probably means Michael Rasmussen will be ready Thursday.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Andrew Fantucchio explores whether the Bruins gave away season with their loss to the Nashville Predators. Boston Bruins.

Florida: George Richards reviews the Panthers’ trade deadline options. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: Defenseman Dougie Hamilton suffered a lower body injury Tuesday in a loss to Dallas. This may complicate the Devils’ trade plans. New Jersey Devils. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski gets honest about the Penguins’ problems. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: Vitek Vanecek was held out of the lineup for trade purposes. San Jose Sharks.