Absorb the Direction: Detroit Red Wings Training Camp

Absorb the Direction: Detroit Red Wings Training Camp

What have you seen from Tai that being his training camp? How does it look different from previous years? It’s more vocal. While that’s happening, get the back and get into the play. So far so good. There’s no medals for everyone in the NHL. you have to earn your ways and our guys are are getting there and certainly it’s it’s exciting for us. Obviously, we’re in a situation where we’ve got to move this train forward and and this year’s a real big year for each and every one of us individually, but also collectively for us to to take the next step and that’s obviously the playoffs. Are you like that? Well, Todd’s a veteran coach. He’s been to a number of training camps as a head coach. And I just think that having a full training camp, it’s just only going to help him and the club in preparation for the 2526 hockey season for the Red Wings. When Todd came in at Christmas time last season, it was a time to watch to see what he had and I think now he knows what he has and everyone will be held accountable. I think Todd has a a different voice in holding those players accountable and they know it and most of all they feel it. The Wings have a new rallying cry. Play bleeping hockey. Being a part of Todd’s camps, they don’t differ too much uh from year to year. They’re very uptempo, right to the point. He’s very passionate uh especially in the first meeting just kind of setting the tone for the group. Todd’s very direct. you know, he’s honest with players in a good way where you know where you stand and you you’re very clear what you’re you’re supposed to do out there and what’s what’s his expectations are of you and look to keep that going and and trying to raise the level every every practice every game to to get where we want to be. He’s hard but he’s fair. You know, he’s trying to get the most out of us in the mo in the shortest amount of time. And if you work hard and you come prepared, you’re going to be in the right spot. You know, one of the things I really like about the way he coaches is he wants to be aggressive. if he wants to keep pushing the team forward up the ice and try and create as little space as possible for the other team coming our way, which I think really benefits our team. So, that’s definitely been a welcome change within the organization. First of all, training camp is real important for for everybody. For the the first year player that comes in and is very nervous to our captain, Dylan Larkin, who’s been here for a long time. I think attention to detail is essential. We’ll have a game plan. We’ll have a way that we want to play and some players are obviously on the team. They’re that established and that they’re that good. So those types of players have to find their game. They have to establish what their line is in the sand, how far they can push themselves early in the year and how quickly they can find their game. And then the younger players entering in have to experience everything. They’ve got to take a lot in. Players make mistakes. We actually encourage them because that’s the way they learn. They’ve got to find a way to shake the nerves off and and fit into the group, absorb the direction that they’re getting and find a way to uh to perform at a high individual standard yet within our team game. And that’s a non-negotiable is to make sure that the efforts there and the details there. A successful training camp, I think, means, in my opinion, getting everyone on the same page, getting together as a group, get to know some of the new prospects, the new signings, new staff members. Really try to incorporate everyone. Of course, it’s uh important for the younger guys to experience camp. I remember my first time like you’re nervous and kind of like that, but as you get older and older, you know, it’s just a fun time to get to know each other. And I think uh the older guys is doing really good work to take in the younger guys and like teach them, get to know them, you know, from all the vets, you can learn a lot a lot of stuff. I know when I was younger, you try to take in as as much as possible. And obviously just the the speed of of practices and in the scrimmages, you’re learning to to play fast and what the NHL level’s like. You know, I think it’s so awesome to come here and and be able to to talk to the younger guys and and get, you know, a feel for their game and, you know, try to make them feel comfortable. Todd, the big question. Have the three rookies made the team? Well, they were here at practice today, so that’s a a real good sign for them. It is official. All three prospects, EMTT Finny, Axel Sand Dean Pelica, and Michael Branzegard make Detroit’s opening night lineup. Everything they’ve done to this point has led to them getting this day and we’ll just take it day by day. They’ve had great all great training camps. Um I don’t think anyone on our team feels like they got handed anything. They all they all deserved it. They all have great attributes whether it’s Finn speed and and smarts and uh Nai’s got good uh speed as well but he’s heavier and and uh he’s got a great shot and he puts himself in positions to score and uh Axel with his puck play and and uh his skating. So um they all have really good attributes and and uh you know I think they they make our team better. They’re energizing the group right now. We started Axe in overtime. We put Penny out in the second pair and the the the guys are rooting for them. There’s a little life there that they get excited for him and and sometimes that takes you back to your first year, your first game. It’s invigorating. And but for those three to come in and and win win jobs and be that well received in the locker room, it it uh speaks to how guys believe in that. That’s progress in the organization when they and I think some of our players right now are being pushed by uh the youth that’s coming in. And the really good thing about that is there’s no resentment right now on the club uh towards these three. They the leaders have opened up their arms and welcome them. Usually that’s a sign that they believe these individuals can help the team too. They’ve uh opened up some eyes. Heat. Heat.

A peek inside the Detroit Red Wings 2025 Training Camp held in Traverse City, MI on September 18-21st.

Presented by Meijer