It looks like there’s no resolution near in sight for any of the Red Wings issues, on or off ice.
After failing to get a new contract stud RFA defenseman Simon Edvinsson, the Red Wings big(gest) Swedish defenseman has gone back home to Sweden and is practicing with his old hockey club. The Red Wings have had several months to get the issue resolved.
Yet, from the outside looking in, it seems they have sat on their hands or attended to other issues, like firing their general manager in the middle of the free agency period. Interim-GM Shawn Horcoff was only officially named and allowed to begin major contract negotiations just before training camp started, and in a show of good faith, Edvinsson appeared for camp and participated in all practice activities aside from scrimmages.
The Red Wings have not been able to turn that into positive motion in the direction of a long term contract extension, however, and the big Swede is now back in Europe, two days before the Red Wings season opener.
The hockey world, however, marches on. While the Red Wings season doesn’t start until Friday night, there were five games played last night, with nearly a third of the league returning to action. That of course, includes former Red Wing Patrick Kane, who managed to find the back of the net in his first game back in a Chicago Blackhawks jersey.
Kane’s loss from the Red Wings forward group has certainly been felt on the power play, where the Red Wings struggled to score in preseason. The probability the Red Wings are able to find the same offensive success this year without the savvy veteran’s mind seems unlikely.
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The Grand Rapids Griffins are doing some roster gymnastics under new general manager Dan Cleary. While the Griffins don’t play again until Oct. 9th, the team has still been busy at work trying to construct their roster. Just two days after sending Tag Bertuzzi and Nolan Moyle to the Toledo Walleye, the pair are back in Grand Rapids. Whether they will stay the full week until the AHL resumes action is yet to be seen.
The Griffins season opener on the 9th lands on a Friday as well, meaning for fans it’ll be $3 beer and hot dog night.
Hockey Now Digest:
Chicago Hockey Now: More on Patrick Kane‘s re-debut with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Boston Hockey Now: Bean town scored three in quick succession to beat out the Rangers. Boston Bruins.
Florida Hockey Now: Sasha Barkov is back and ready to lead the Florida Panthers.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens penalty kill was effective last night in their 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs.