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Perhaps it was an indictment of the product put on the ice by the Detroit Red Wings last season that made the Las Vegas Golden Knights ultimately decide they wanted no part of any regular from that team.
Instead of prominent options with more NHL experience such as goalie Petr Mrazek or forward Riley Sheahan, the Golden Knights opted instead for minor league forward Tomas Nosek as the player they chose from the Red Wings in Thursday’s expansion draft.
Nosek, 24, has sipped two cups of coffee with the Wings over the past two seasons, playing in 17 total NHL games and scoring his first NHL goal during an 11-game stint last season. But he’s also coming off his best season as a pro, following up 15-26-41 numbers in 51 regular-season games with AHL Grand Rapids by posting impressive 10-12-22 digits in 19 playoff games as the Griffins won the Calder Cup, leading the team in postseason goals and points.
There’s no doubt that the Wings liked what they’d seen from Nosek. “He looks like a guy who can be a good National Hockey League player,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s strong, he’s smart, he can make a play with the puck, does lots of good stuff, he’s real good on the penalty kill.”
Still, there wasn’t enough evidence at the NHL level that Nosek could be a difference maker to warrant protecting him, and in truth, the Wings can’t be too devastated to lose someone they projected as being at best a bottom six forward long term.
“I think there’s lots of guys who can play in the league,” Blashill said. “Do they help you win?”
Ultimately, the Wings didn’t know that answer with Nosek, and now it’s Las Vegas that will find out for sure.
It’s The Wild
When Detroit played its first NHL game in 1926, the opponent was Eddie Shore and the Boston Bruins, who’d go on to play in the Stanley Cup final that spring.
When Detroit opened Olympia Stadium in 1927, the reigning Stanley Cup champion Ottawa Senators provided the opposition.
Back in 1979, when Joe Louis Arena opened its doors, traditional rival the St. Louis Blues were in town to face the Wings.
On Oct. 5, when Little Caesars Arena launches, the opponents will be the Minnesota Wild.
It makes no sense. Toronto, Montreal, Chicago. Those would be logical choices. Or even a rematch with the Bruins, Senators or Blues to relive one of the previous arena openers.
But the Wild? Did the NHL think they were opening Ford Field with a Lions-Vikings game?
Go ahead, try to remember a memorable moment from the Wild-Wings rivalry. Take your time. We’ll wait.
That’s what we thought. Well, it looks like there many finally be one, though this whole scenario still leaves you to wonder if the NHL has any sense of history whatsoever.
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Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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