Helms Inevitable Return, Means Big Decisions Ahead

Red Wings forward Darren Helm looks as if he is ready to return to the lineup as in practice today, he is wearing a white jersey instead of a gray one (usually worn by the scratches). While great news for the Wings based on what he can bring to  the table, it also means that for him to play, they need to clear a roster spot. With the likes of Teemu Pulkkinen, Tomas  Jurco, Landon Ferraro, and Jokiam Andersson all needing to be put on waivers to be sent down, the Wings have a big decision to make very soon. They will either have to try and trade someone, or expose them to waivers and risk losing them for nothing. Who stays, who goes?

Teemu Pulkkinen: Pulkkinen who made his NHL debut last season and played decently well, was a guy that GM Ken Holland said would for sure be on the NHL roster come the beginning of the season. So far, Pulkkinen has 2 goals on the year which both came against Carolina. His goal scoring ability is his biggest strength. He has an incredible shot and certainly doesn't pass up a chance to shoot the puck. With his massive offensive potential, the Wings really should keep him and they probably will. 

Landon Ferraro: Son of NHL analyst Ray Ferraro, Landon is a great asset to have. His speed and defensive ability are his biggest strengths. Landon last year was on the NHL roster for a few games after being exposed to waivers and going unclaimed and played the entire series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs. With his speed and defensive capabilities, the Wings shouldn't test waivers again for him. He would probably be picked up this time.

Joakim Andersson: Andersson really had his best season in 2013 when he played with Gus Nyquist and Damien Brunner. Since then he hasn't been quite as good but is still a very serviceable player. More of a defensive type, and a strong penalty killer, Andersson is another player the Red Wings should keep if they can.

Tomas Jurco: Quite possibly the guy on this list who people had the highest hopes for. A former 2nd round pick in 2011, Jurco was once thought to be a great offensive prospect. So far, his talent hasn't translated to the NHL very well. Last season he spent a lot of time in Babcocks' dog house and played only 36 games while putting up 15 points. Many believed that bringing Blashill in meant a chance for Jurco to get his game going with a fresh start yet he's been a healthy scratch for both games so far and it looks like that is going to continue. He most likely would be picked up on waivers so trade would be the better scenario but what value could the Wings get on the trade market for Jurco? If someone has to go, it should be Jurco. 

Red Wings- 4 Hurricanes- 3

In the second game of the season and the second of a back to back (the first of many back to backs this month alone) the Red Wings beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in a game that on paper, you'd expect them to win. But, while the game was going? No. Just no. The Wings put up a measly 2 shots in the first period and were outshot 34-8 through 2 periods, which quickly turned this game into the Petr Mrazek show.

Someway somehow though, the Wings found a way to win in a game they had no business winning. Zetterberg, Abdelkader, and Teemu Pulkkinen were the goal scorers for Detroit with Pulkkinen getting a pair. 

Goaltender Petr Mrazek made 44 saves and stole this one for Detroit. He kept the Hurricanes off the board in the first period surviving an onslaught and a barrage of shots. 

Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg opened the scoring early in the 2nd on a nifty pass from Dylan Larkin. Later the 'Canes would score 2 unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead into the third period. In steps Teemu Pulkkinen who scored on a giveaway by Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey right infront of Cam Ward. Just a minute later, Tatar would take a shot from he point that Pulkkinen tipped in for a 3-2 lead. Later in the 3rd Abdelkader gets a feed from Henrik Zetterberg and stuffs it home for a 4-2 lead and the eventual game winner. The Hurricanes added a goal at the 19:57 mark of the third to make it 4-3. 

While not a solid team effort, a win is a win. It's a good sign when a team can win games that they shouldn't win and their goalie can steal them one every now and then. The next taste of Red Wings action comes Tuesday against the team who ended their season last year and division foe, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hopefully before this, the team all chip in for a nice steak dinner for Mrazek, eh?

Mike Commodore has a bit of a problem with Mike Babcock..

Former Red Wings defenseman Mike Commodore seems like he has a bit of a problem with former Wings coach Mike Babcock. Commodore went on a massive Twitter rant and well... Just see for yourself..

Don't worry, it got even uglier...

I wonder what Babs did? 

Red Wings- 4 Maple Leafs- 0

(Photo credit to Fox Sports Detroit) 

Opening night of the 2015-16 NHL season probably couldn't have gone any better than it did for the Red Wings as they defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 and beat Mike Babcock in his return to Joe Louis Arena. 

It all started from basically puck drop. Toronto took an early penalty and the Red Wings power play capitalized just a minute and fifteen seconds into the game as Franzen took a shot that rang of the post and Justin Abdelkader put home the rebound for the first of the season for the Wings. 

On the second goal, Dylan Larkin making his NHL debut, sent a great pass to Abdelkader who put it by Berniers' blocker for a 2-0 lead. Larkin with the assist got his first career NHL point.

At the beginning of the 2nd period, Zetterberg sent a pass to Larkin at the blue line who blows by the Leafs defender and goes top shelf to score his first career NHL goal, which chased Leaf goalie Bernier from the game.

Later in the 2nd, Larkin and Abdelkader found themselves on a 2 on 1 in which Abdelkader fired it past Reimer to get his 2nd career hat trick and put the Wings up 4-0 which would be more than enough as goalie Jimmy Howard was big when he needed to be and got a 22 save shutout.

During the first TV timeout the Red Wings had a tribute for former coach Mike Babcock which after the game said that "It was a nice thing to do. They obviously didn't need too since I don't coach there anymore.". 

With the win, coach Jeff Blashill gets his first win as head coach and the Red Wings get off to a great start as they looked pretty strong. Very fast and hard on the puck. They blocked shots very well, and were seemingly always there to backup a teammate if need be. Overall about as close to a perfect performance as you could possibly have. 

The next taste of Red Wings hockey comes tonight as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 7pm on FSD. Petr  Mrazek will be getting the start.   

Who will make the playoffs?

Since the season officially starts tonight, and the rosters for every club are pretty much clear, it's time to make predictions for a the playoff picture, and yes, a Stanley Cup winner. 

Eastern Conference: 

Atlantic:

Tampa Bay Lightning 

Detroit Red Wings 

Montreal Canadiens 

Metropolitan:

Washington Capitals

New York Rangers

New York Islanders

Wildcard:

Pittsburgh Penguins 

Columbus Blue Jackets 

Western Conference

Pacific Divison:

Anaheim Ducks 

LA Kings

San Jose Sharks

Central Division:

St. Louis Blues

Chicago Blackhawks

Dallas Stars

Wildcard: 

Calgary Flames

Nashville Predators 

Conference Finals: 

Anahiem Ducks vs LA Kings

Detroit Red Wings vs Washington Capitals

Stanley Cup Final: 

LA Kings vs Detroit Red Wings

Stanley Cup Winner: 

Detroit Red Wings

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Today is the opening night of the 2015-16 NHL season! After a ridiculously long offseason (well, only three months) the NHL will kickoff the season with a 4 game slate. The Toronto Maple Leafs kick it off against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 EST. Followed by, CHI vs NYR (8pm EST), CGY vs VAN (10pm EST), and then LA vs SJ (10:30 EST) to wrap it up. Chicago vs New York can be seen on NBCSN on Wednesday Night Rivarly night. What do you expect from the 15-16 season? This season is undoubtedly going to be fun one! 

The kid did it! Dylan Larkin makes opening night roster.

Forward and Red Wings top prospect Dylan Larkin has officially made the opening night NHL roster. Larkin at only 19 years of age becomes the first teenager to crack the Wings roster since Jiri Fischer in the 1999-2000 season. 

Larkin who really had to earn his spot since GM Ken Holland said he didn't want him up if he wasn't going to be in the top 6 forward group. After a tremendous preseason, Larkin obviously did enough to convince (with some help from Jeff Blashill) Holland to keep him in the NHL. 

Keeping him on the roster by no means guarantees he stays on the roster for the entire season. With the likes of Datsyuk, Helm and others on injured reserve, Larkin who is waiver exempt is certainly a candidate to be sent down to Grand Rapids when those players return. Until then, the kid gets to show what he's made of on a line with Zetterberg and Abdelkader come opening night Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.