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PHR posted a segment from the Athletic (Paywall) regarding Detroit’s goaltending rankings. H2 posted about this in the comments from the previous article. Here’s the quote from the article:
Red Wings fans are warranted in their concern between the pipes next season, writes Jesse Granger, Sean McIndoe and Scott Wheeler at The Athletic. Detroit’s current goaltending situation checks in as the worst in the league in their ranking of NHL goaltending outlooks, with Granger believing there’s strong regression potential for journeyman Cam Talbot, who’s projected to be their opening night starter after bouncing back with a .913 SV% and 27-20-6 record in 54 appearances for the Kings last season. An injury-plagued Ville Husso, average but inexperienced AHL veteran Alex Lyon and reclamation project Jack Campbell don’t do a ton to inspire confidence, either. But no team has as much dichotomy between the present and future as Wheeler labels Detroit as having the best goalie prospect pool in the league, led by a pair of projected future starters in Trey Augustine and Sebastian Cossa.
**it’s worth noting that Campbell is headed for the AHL at this point. Lyon is listed as an AHL veteran, which is correct. Last season was his record high number of starts and he had some fantastic games for Detroit in that stretch. Lyon was also credited with his support role in the Panther’s season that ended losing to Vegas in the finals before this years SCF win. Talbot’s season last year is viewed by the authors as a one off for a goaltender in decline. They do compliment the prospects in Augustine and Cossa who are part of a highly ranked pipeline.
Right now fans and pundits alike (as posted earlier in the month) have an overall negative view of the moves made (or not made) by Yzerman and co over the summer. In repeating what has been said in the comments there is a high percentage of those who participate that feel this season will be a regression. In full candor, I don’t know what’s going to happen. There are some new faces and there are players who could regress or progress. A “blank slate” approach at this point is the best objective look I can take. There are no earth shattering acquisitions and it’s uncertain if Detroit is working on any deals other than the RFA signings remaining. Clearly, the Trouba deal fell through and that had mixed reactions in the HB comments here.
For the second part of the article, I’m not going to cite the source because it’s going to sound disparaging. I don’t want to be unfair to the author, but the rumor of Detroit possibly being pushed into the NHL is backed up with comments taken out of context that are identical to statements made during prospect camp.
At the end of camp, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard said that the team told him to compete hard for a spot at camp. Pretty standard fare. The first round pick also said time in Grand Rapids was possible but it was then related to his season overseas ending and if Grand Rapids was still playing (which we saw happen this past season with Danielson). The quoted interview took place overseas and echoes the exact same statements made before MBN left his post draft camp.
Is it possible that a rookie could have the type of camp that could change the organization’s plans? Absolutely. His signing of an ELC after being drafted isn’t a one off. Yzerman has done that with most of the first round players. The news cycle has been fairly slow since free agency when it was non stop for a couple of days. This “rumor” feels like a filler that relies on just pulling together information that we’ve known since early July. At this point Nygard and Pellikka are expected to play on the same team and one or both could come over after the season ends.
The final caveat that could move this year’s first rounder to North America is if Danielson or Kasper outplay a veteran and take a spot with good minutes available. That could put Nygard in Grand Rapids to fill in.
The feeling of frustration by many of you is palpable and understandable. There isn’t an answer available that is going to satisfy those issues right now. The only unknown is seeing the team on the ice and if anyone outperforms expectations. That’s not going to happen for 7 or so weeks. So, many of you look at the players that left, who came in and see a net deficit. That’s not an unfair place to be. No one is obligated to shill for the team. It’s on the organization and players to move opinions in one direction or the other. The release we’re all waiting for is the finalized contracts. If something else comes up, we’ll discuss it in the mean time. until then, thanks to all who stop by and contribute. This wouldn’t be possible without you and I’m truly grateful for that.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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