The Hockey Writers

Former Detroit general manager – and current Edmonton Oilers GM – Ken Holland made the term “kick the tires” quite popular during his 22 years at the helm in Motown. He often used it to refer to free-agent signings or possible trades that would help bolster the club. This phrase is still in play as

The 2024 NHL Draft is just under two weeks away and teams are beginning to make their final preparations for the yearly event. The Detroit Red Wings are no different, but their standing heading into the draft is a lot different than it has been in years past. Not only did the Red Wings finish

What’s The Grind Line? Apart from the once-famous line of Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby, and either Joe Kocur or Darren McCarty, The Grind Line is also The Hockey Writers’ weekly column about the Detroit Red Wings. This week Tony Wolak, Devin Little, Logan Horn, and Evan Sabourin are the muckers who make up THW’s forechecking

As June flies by, we are just over 14 days away from July 1 and the start of the re-sign and free agency period in the NHL. Teams are starting to understand what they might want to do to begin their 2024-25 season roster construction. Regarding the Carolina Hurricanes, they recently re-signed Jalen Chatfield to

For the first time in seven years, the Detroit Red Wings are picking outside of the top 10 with their first pick in the NHL draft. The team has seen a substantial improvement in the standings ever since Steve Yzerman took over the general manager’s job in April 2019. The days of competing for a

With the 2024 Stanley Cup Final winding down, the NHL hot stove is heating up – and the Detroit Red Wings are right in the thick of it. Next up is the 2024 NHL Draft, which is quickly approaching. And with that, we should see more and more trades taking place in advance of the free

The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is just under two weeks away now. Though the order of the last two picks is still pending the result of the Stanley Cup Final, we mostly know where every team is picking and which players could and should be available at each selection. The Detroit Red Wings, as you

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on June 12 that the Columbus Blue Jackets’ top-six sniper Patrik Laine was looking for a new team’s jersey to wear and that they would try to accommodate that request. In an edition of their Insider Trading segment, LeBrun said specifically that a trade was “the goal from everyone involved.” He

With the 2024 Stanley Cup Final underway, only a couple weeks separate the Detroit Red Wings from the meat of the offseason. That’s right, the 2024 NHL Draft and free agency are just around the corner. So with peak offseason quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good time for a mailbag. There’s lots

The intrigue of the NHL Draft is, of course, the landing spots for each of the game’s draft eligible prospects. It’s the event where mock drafts are proven wrong or right as each NHL franchise adds a handful of new prospects to keep an eye on over the coming years. But no one can deny

Entering the offseason, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has two objectives. The first is to improve defensively, and the second is to become a deeper team offensively.  There are a million ways to approach these priorities. This is my recommendation. One approach to how the Red Wings can improve their roster this summer.

Even though the Detroit Red Wings finished a point shy of making the playoffs this season, their top priority is still the growth and development of their young players and prospects. The “Yzerplan” – the name fans have given the team’s rebuild under general manager Steve Yzerman – has always been about drafting and developing,

We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t move forward if you’re always looking back”. This rings true for the Detroit Red Wings organization when you refer to the mishap that occurred during the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas, Texas. The majority of the hockey world was stunned when they saw top goal-scoring prospect Filip Zadina still

The Vegas Golden Knights have yet to offer Jonathan Marchessault a contract, and based on recent comments, the 33-year-old is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of interest from his team. With the possibility of Marchessault hitting the open market becoming more likely every day, it’s worth speculating on what teams would have interest, and

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Carolina Hurricanes are interested in signing Jake Guentzel but the forward is likely going to test free agency. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to sign a possible extension with defenseman Joel Edmundson. The Detroit Red Wings are expected to talk to Patrick Kane’s agent this week, the

Since taking over as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman has been active in the trade market during the offseason. Alex DeBrincat headlines his list of summer acquisitions – there was also Marc Staal, Alex Nedeljkovic, Nick Leddy, Ville Husso, and Jeff Petry as well. Yzerman will more than likely return to the

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Toronto Maple Leafs have begun negotiations with Tyler Bertuzzi. Meanwhile, if they can’t get a Bertuzzi deal done, would the Maple Leafs look at David Perron? Could Tanner Jeannot be moved out of Tampa Bay to make room for a new Steven Stamkos contract? The Winnipeg Jets are hoping

The Calgary Flames have made a ton of trades over the past calendar year, and they don’t appear to be done just yet. The relationship between the organization and goaltender Jacob Markstrom seemed to sour late in the 2023-24 season, leading many to believe he will be moved this offseason. Related: Flames Should Consider Trading

There will not be a Calder Cup parade in Grand Rapids this summer. The Grand Rapids Griffins concluded their season and second round series Sunday evening against the Milwaukee Admirals. Despite winning the opening game of the best-of-five series, the Griffins were unable to win two out of the next four games, including Game 3

The Detroit Red Wings have a few organizational needs they need to address this summer. One of which is adding a top-six winger – or two. This year’s free agent class has a few options, but the short supply of bonafide top-six forwards could lead to higher-than-usual salaries. Instead, the Red Wings should look to