Detroit News

Detroit — It’s amazing what having better players in the lineup can do for a team. The 2021-2022 Detroit Red Wings provide proof. For the last several seasons, talent was in short supply in the Motor City. The dearth of depth prevented the team from competing daily against the best of the NHL. Improvement is evident this

Detroit —  February will be a bit busier than the Red Wings originally thought. The NHL on Wednesday announced a comprehensive update to the 2021-22 regular-season schedule, one that will enable all 32 teams to complete their respective 82-game seasons by the regular season’s original closing date of Friday, April 29. February became a viable option

Go through the gallery above to view Ted Kulfan’s midseason grades for the 2021-22 Detroit Red Wings. Click here if you’re having trouble viewing the gallery. Detroit — Take a look at the standings as the Red Wings reach the halfway mark in the schedule. It’s all right to do so. Unlike the last several seasons, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Detroit — The NHL will begin reduced testing for COVID-19 after the All-Star break, something many in the league — especially players — have been pushing toward. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill is all for the change. “It’s kind of gotten to the point where it appears, especially with this newest variant, it hasn’t been as strong a

If only the Buffalo Sabres could be on the Red Wings’ schedule more often. The Wings took full advantage of the lowly Sabres, completing the season sweep Monday with a 3-2 overtime victory. They shut out the Sabres on Saturday at Little Caesars Arena in a lopsided 4-0 decision. Dylan Larkin scored the game-tying, then

Vladislav Namestnikov hasn’t garnered the headlines this season. He hasn’t been talked about often as he probably should. But there aren’t many Red Wings having better seasons. Namestnikov proved his worth again Monday, scoring a third-period, short-handed goal that sparked the Wings’ rally in a 3-2 overtime victory in Buffalo. It was Namestnikov’s 11th goal, converting a

Detroit — Alex Nedeljkovic knew his parents would be driving from Parma, Ohio, for Saturday’s game, but finding out his grandparents would be attending was also a pleasant surprise. It would be the grandparents’ first NHL game, and getting to see it at Little Caesars Arena was special. “It was a lot of fun, exciting,” said Nedeljkovic,

Detroit — The Buffalo Sabres proved to be the perfect tonic for the slumping Red Wings. The Wings ended a four-game winless streak with a convincing 4-0 victory over the lowly Sabres, goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stopping 22 shots for his first shutout as a Red Wing. Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri had first-period power-play goals, Lucas

Detroit — Maybe a day off will help the Red Wings. After a loss Thursday against Winnipeg in which the Wings looked a bit fatigued at times, coach Jeff Blashill decided to make Friday a complete day off. No work on the ice or in the weight room. No meetings. No coming down to Little

Detroit — Whatever momentum the Red Wings had ahead of their prolonged pre-holiday break has disappeared. The Wings looked like a team capable of surprising the NHL, ending play on Dec. 18 with an inspired victory over the New Jersey Devils despite the lineup beginning to be thinned by COVID-19. Since returning from that 12-day hiatus, things have cratered.

Detroit — Maybe it was the travel back from the West Coast, maybe that the Red Wings are officially in a slump. Whatever the cause, a return home wasn’t helpful Thursday for the Wings, who lost 3-0 to the decimated Winnipeg Jets. The Jets were without eight players, all in COVID protocol, but they did have

Detroit — Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s impressive season has earned him a trip to the NHL All-Star Game. Larkin was part of the Atlantic Division roster, revealed Thursday on ESPN. This will be Larkin’s second All-Star Game appearance. In 2016, Larkin participated in the fastest skater competition during All-Star weekend, and had a time of 13.172

Detroit — Are the Red Wings best served playing Michael Rasmussen at center, or wing? Chances are, playing the 6-foot-6 Rasmussen in the middle anchoring defensive-minded lines is where the Wings see Rasmussen long term, and at his most effective. But Rasmussen has played wing in his career, also, including several games in the last week.

Detroit — The Red Wings needed, and wanted, more in terms of success on this road trip through California. With that dream of a wild-card playoff spot gradually slipping away, the Wings needed more than the two of a possible six points out of the three games in Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose. Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime

This road trip ended up in weird fashion for the Red Wings on Tuesday — and a loss. Logan Couture scored one minute into overtime for San Jose, with an octopus that a fan threw onto the ice laying by the boards, giving the Sharks a 3-2 overtime win over the Wings. Officials also took

This road trip ended up in weird fashion for the Red Wings on Tuesday — and a loss. Logan Couture scored one minute into overtime for San Jose, with an octopus that a fan threw onto the ice laying by the boards, giving the Sharks a 3-2 overtime win over the Wings. Officials also took

Jimmy Golen |  Associated Press St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild agreed to terms on Tuesday with defenseman Jon Merrill on a three-year, $3.6 million contract extension through the 2024-25 season. The 29-year-old Merrill has tied his career high with three goals to go with eight assists, a plus-8 rating and 51 blocked shots in 33

The Red Wings are an improved hockey team over the last several seasons. You can see that by watching them or just glance at the standings. But don’t expect general manager Steve Yzerman to attempt to accelerate the rebuild with a flurry trades or free-agent signings. Yzerman expects to stay the course, no matter where the

The Red Wings are adding one of the best defenseman to ever play to the front office. General manager and executive vice president Steve Yzerman announced Tuesday that the Wings have hired Nicklas Lidstrom as vice president of hockey operations. Lidstrom, 51, will be involved in all aspects of hockey operations for the Red Wings

Rookie forward Lucas Raymond has hit a goal-scoring lull. But he remains productive in other departments. Raymond has eight assists in the last 10 games, he’s still playing well defensively and his confidence isn’t wavering. As coach Jeff Blashill sees it, Raymond isn’t in any sort of slump. “I haven’t seen a dropoff in his play,” Blashill