In the battle of popular former Detroit Red Wings players now coaching in the KHL, Gerard Gallant has taken a 1-0 lead over Igor Larionov.

Gallant’s Shanghai Dragons downed Larionov’s SKA Petersburg  7-4 in the season opener for both teams. It was surprising result, given that the Dragons threw their roster together late in the summer. The Dragons are the rebranded version of the Kunlun Red Star, which is viewed as the only Chinese team in the KHL.

The team moved “temporarily” from China to Moscow during the Covid crisis, and then decided to relocate to St. Petersburg this season. The hope is still for the team to be based again in China.

Gallant, unable to find an NHL coaching job, took the Dragons job. He has already put up a sign in the Dragons dressing room that reads: “No damn excuses.”

It’s too early to know what the win means for either of those teams. Certainly, the pressure is on Larionov whose roster changes didn’t sit well with the local fan base.

Gerard Gallant’s @shadragons start the season with big win against Igor Larionov’s SKA! pic.twitter.com/wiN4jHII2w

— KHL (@khl_eng) September 6, 2025

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

The Red Wings invited undrafted free agents to training camp. Who are these guys? Bob Duff explains.

Rotowire.com has created a list of the most aggressive and least aggressive NHL teams. When it comes to aggressiveness, the Red Wings are tied for 29th. That probably doesn’t surprise you.

Former Red Wings player Luke Glendening, one of the NHL’s top faceoff artists, is looking for work. He’s in New Jersey’s camp as a free agent.

Red Wings Extra

Robby Fabbri is among those still looking for NHL work.  He is probably a candidate to accept a PTO with a team. One report said the New York Rangers are interested. Fabbri scored 18 goals in his last season with Detroit, and last season he netted eight goals in 44 games. The issue with Fabbri is injuries: In nine NHL seasons, he has played only 59.8% of his team’s game. He has played 70-plus games only once.

Hockey Now Network

Montreal: Lane Hutson’s father suggests that his son might switch from USA to Canada for international competition. The family wasn’t pleased that he wasn’t invited to U.S. Orientation camp. Montreal Canadiens. 

New Jersey: James Nichols explains what role the New Jersey PTO players, including former Detroit player Luke Glendening, are trying to earn. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains why it is impossible today to project what the Penguins defense will look like this fall. Two important variables play into it. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: In a surprise move, Ryane Clowe stepped down as San Jose’s assistant general manager. San Jose Sharks. 

Vegas: VHN offers an update on the Jack Eichel contract negotiations: there’s still time to complete negotiations by the start of the season. Vegas Golden Knights