The Daily: Ex-Red Wings Key to Cup; Ekblad Wants to Stay

When the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers finally start the Stanley Cup Final tonight, two ex-Detroit Red Wings role-playing forwards could have a significant say in the outcome.

Edmonton’s Mattias Janmark and Florida’s Tomas Nosek both have a history of playing critical roles in extended playoff runs. It’s more than being a good luck charm. Nosek and Janmark have earned their reputation as high level role players, always at their best in the postseason.

Since joining the Red Wings organization in 2014, Czech Nosek has won an AHL championship with the Grand Rapids Griffins (2017) and enjoyed plenty of NHL success. This is his second trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Picked by Vegas from Detroit in the expansion draft, Nosek was on the 2018 Vegas team that reached the Stanley Cup Final where it lost to Washington,

Nosek, my goodness https://t.co/AEhTu8iqvj

— Panthers Polls (@PanthersPolls) May 21, 2025

Meanwhile, Janmark is playing in his third Stanley Cup Final. He was with the Dallas Stars in 2020 when they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final and was with the Oilers last year when they lost to Florida.

Janmark also started his career with the Griffins.

“It’s not a coincidence that Grand Rapids has produced many great players and coaches as well as other people around hockey,” Nosek told the Grand Rapids Griffins website last fall. “That doesn’t happen by accident.”

Drafted by Detroit in 2013, Janmark has now played 102 postseason games. The Red Wings traded Janmark to Dallas in the Erik Cole trade.  Nosek is now with his fifth NHL team. He has played 62 playoff contests.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Red Wings prospect Dmitri Buchelnikov is contemplating joining the Detroit organization this summer.

Jesse Kiiskinen has signed a three-year Entry Level Contract with Detroit.

Paywall story: In our series exploring potential free agents GM Steve Yzerman might sign, we look at Jonathan Toews. We are currently offer any first-time subscriber a one-year membership for only $12.  It ends at midnight tonight. A subscription allows you to read all paywall stories, and receive ad-free website visits. Also, you can read paywall stories on all Hockey Now sites.  To subscribe for $12, click here. 

Red Wings Extra

In addition to having ex-Red Wings defensemen Jake Walman and Troy Stecher, plus goalie Calvin Pickard on the Oilers, former Detroit player Paul Coffey is an assistant coach for the team.

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: Mike Vellucci was named as Jeff Blashill’s third assistant in Chicago. He is well-known to Detroit area fans. Vellucci launched his coaching career with the Compuware program, and coached the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League. He most recently was an assistant general manager for the Carolina Hurricanes and then coached their AHL team. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Colorado: Would Nicolas Hague be a worthy trade target for the Colorado Avalanche?

Florida: Potential free agent Aaron Ekblad says “I bleed” for the Panthers. He doesn’t sound like a player ready to leave. Florida Panthers. 

Philadephia: Center Noah Cates receives a four-year contract extension with a $4 AAV. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski looks at some new names who could emerge in the Pittsburgh coaching search. Pittsburgh Penguins.