Jeremy Laura: Red Wings Training Camp

Firstly; This has been one HELLUVA year. Nothing any of us have experienced in our lifetimes can compare, but we shall persevere because that’s what we do. We’ll pull together and get through this...but we will forever be changed. For better or worse, we’ll come out on the other side. What we look like depends on us. The biggest thing is to do our best to be there, together. This much I know; If there are people on the other side like are here, we’ll be ok. Thanks again, Jeremy. For your level of professionalism, genuine care for the sport (MOST importantly for the PEOPLE...), and respect for others and their views. You, good Sir, represent the very best of journalism and society. You are a DAMN good man. Again, if we can set up a game for us to take in together....I’d be humbled and honoured to be part of it. Wishing the very beat to all of you and hopes for a much better New Year.

Secondly; I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE PUCK TO DROP🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳. It’s been too long. Looking at the Wings’ roster, I am genuinely intrigued about the possibilities. There’s a great combination of hunger and a desire for some players to prove themselves (Ryan, for example...). This team really has potential. I’m by no means saving for SCF tickets, but the abysmal showing from last year has a good chance of being a bad memory.

Still find it a bitter pill for players to be paid FULL salary for 68.3% (I did the math) of a regular season. Really kinda slaps fans in the face, and that’s the thing that bother me the most, as I’ve articulated many times. Smacks of arrogance.

Enough of my whining....Let’s. Go. RED WINGS!!!!!!

I watched our Swedes last night vs Team Russia. No one really stood out to me. They looked ok at times. I expected more out of Raymond. I saw Podkolzin taking charge and initiating for Russia. Being aggressive. Didn't like the dirty part.

It's not that Raymond is playing poorly. He's just not standing out to me. He's trying way too hard to get Holtz the puck. I want Raymond to be more selfish because he can really rip it. Heck of a shot.

Niederbach looked very good at times but then he'd disappear. Then I'd notice him again. Back and forth. He seems to be a smart player. Reads and reacts well.

Soderblom is a monster especially when he has the puck. When he uses his size no one can get the puck from him. Askarov was having a tough time seeing around and through Soderblom on Sweden's power plays.

Johansson I didn't notice too much. Maybe because I was so focused on the other guys. But he didn't stand out to me. Berglund worries me. Gets beaten wide a fair bit. But I really want to see Raymond go nuts tonight and stop trying so hard to set up his buddy Holtz. Come on Raymond! Grip it and rip it! 👍

Firstly; This has been one HELLUVA year. Nothing any of us have experienced in our lifetimes can compare, but we shall persevere because that’s what we do. We’ll pull together and get through this...but we will forever be changed. For better or worse, we’ll come out on the other side. What we look like depends on us. The biggest thing is to do our best to be there, together. This much I know; If there are people on the other side like are here, we’ll be ok. Thanks again, Jeremy. For your level of professionalism, genuine care for the sport (MOST importantly for the PEOPLE...), and respect for others and their views. You, good Sir, represent the very best of journalism and society. You are a DAMN good man. Again, if we can set up a game for us to take in together....I’d be humbled and honoured to be part of it. Wishing the very beat to all of you and hopes for a much better New Year.

Secondly; I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE PUCK TO DROP🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳. It’s been too long. Looking at the Wings’ roster, I am genuinely intrigued about the possibilities. There’s a great combination of hunger and a desire for some players to prove themselves (Ryan, for example...). This team really has potential. I’m by no means saving for SCF tickets, but the abysmal showing from last year has a good chance of being a bad memory.

Still find it a bitter pill for players to be paid FULL salary for 68.3% (I did the math) of a regular season. Really kinda slaps fans in the face, and that’s the thing that bother me the most, as I’ve articulated many times. Smacks of arrogance.

Enough of my whining....Let’s. Go. RED WINGS!!!!!!
- mcmastermike1968

Thanks so much for that, as always! I agree with you, it’s been far too long. Let’s see this team hit the ice!

I watched our Swedes last night vs Team Russia. No one really stood out to me. They looked ok at times. I expected more out of Raymond. I saw Podkolzin taking charge and initiating for Russia. Being aggressive. Didn't like the dirty part.

It's not that Raymond is playing poorly. He's just not standing out to me. He's trying way too hard to get Holtz the puck. I want Raymond to be more selfish because he can really rip it. Heck of a shot.

Niederbach looked very good at times but then he'd disappear. Then I'd notice him again. Back and forth. He seems to be a smart player. Reads and reacts well.

Soderblom is a monster especially when he has the puck. When he uses his size no one can get the puck from him. Askarov was having a tough time seeing around and through Soderblom on Sweden's power plays.

Johansson I didn't notice too much. Maybe because I was so focused on the other guys. But he didn't stand out to me. Berglund worries me. Gets beaten wide a fair bit. But I really want to see Raymond go nuts tonight and stop trying so hard to set up his buddy Holtz. Come on Raymond! Grip it and rip it! 👍
- gergeswillems

I like your rundown. In the games I’ve seen, Raymond really does look for the pretty play at times. I wish they’d put him on the left side for the PP, but Holtz is setup there. Coverage on Raymond has been really tight. Soderblom continues to amaze me. In one year of development he is a standout. Detroit’s development staff are really good with the kids now. I’m sure they’ll reach out to Raymond post tournament and give him challenges to improve his game. For sure, I hope tonight is a good night for the kids

I like your rundown. In the games I’ve seen, Raymond really does look for the pretty play at times. I wish they’d put him on the left side for the PP, but Holtz is setup there. Coverage on Raymond has been really tight. Soderblom continues to amaze me. In one year of development he is a standout. Detroit’s development staff are really good with the kids now. I’m sure they’ll reach out to Raymond post tournament and give him challenges to improve his game. For sure, I hope tonight is a good night for the kids
- Jeremy Laura

I watched Raymond closely. He's very smooth and exudes confidence. But he's going to have to learn to get rid of the puck much quicker. He won't enjoy all that time and space in the NHL. He has plenty of time. He's very young. The raw talent is certainly there. It's going to be tough scoring on Spencer Knight. Bad start but he looks dialed in now.

I watched Raymond closely. He's very smooth and exudes confidence. But he's going to have to learn to get rid of the puck much quicker. He won't enjoy all that time and space in the NHL. He has plenty of time. He's very young. The raw talent is certainly there. It's going to be tough scoring on Spencer Knight. Bad start but he looks dialed in now.
- gergeswillems

That’s a fantastic point. Time and space is really hard to come by on smaller ice at the NHL level. I love the tools he possesses, he will have to up the tempo. Really smart and deceptive. A couple nights ago the analysts compared him to Marner. That is high praise, indeed. Yeah, Team USA can always bring it and Knight (what a pickup for FLA) has the ability to step up even more. This could go either way

That’s a fantastic point. Time and space is really hard to come by on smaller ice at the NHL level. I love the tools he possesses, he will have to up the tempo. Really smart and deceptive. A couple nights ago the analysts compared him to Marner. That is high praise, indeed. Yeah, Team USA can always bring it and Knight (what a pickup for FLA) has the ability to step up even more. This could go either way
- Jeremy Laura

Raymond is shifty like Marner. He wants the puck just as much as Marner does. But unlike Marner, Raymond can really laser the puck. He needs to be shooting much more than he does.

Raymond is shifty like Marner. He wants the puck just as much as Marner does. But unlike Marner, Raymond can really laser the puck. He needs to be shooting much more than he does.
- gergeswillems

Nicely put G. Really well done

Maybe Bert and Hronek will liven up camp again by having another fight.

Maybe Bert and Hronek will liven up camp again by having another fight.
- HenryHockey

There's bound to be a few of those. I don't see anything wrong with it. 👍

Raymond is shifty like Marner. He wants the puck just as much as Marner does. But unlike Marner, Raymond can really laser the puck. He needs to be shooting much more than he does.
- gergeswillems

That's the only issue I see with him so far, get selfish and start shooting yourself.
I can't count how many chances Holtz already screwed up on Raymond feeds, either bobbling the puck or missing the damn net.
Another issue is that they don't have a good center, that guy is invisible,
he needs Niederbach.
Everything else is good, possession monster, with clean D zone exits and almost flawless O Zone entries.
He looks good in his first tourney.

That's the only issue I see with him so far, get selfish and start shooting yourself.
I can't count how many chances Holtz already screwed up on Raymond feeds, either bobbling the puck or missing the damn net.
Everything else is good, possession monster, with clean D zone exits and almost flawless O Zone entries.
He looks good in his first tourney.
- StargateSG1

I keep forgetting it's Raymond's first WJC. I'm likely too hard on him. But the skillset is clearly there. He'll only get better.

I like your rundown. In the games I’ve seen, Raymond really does look for the pretty play at times. I wish they’d put him on the left side for the PP, but Holtz is setup there. Coverage on Raymond has been really tight. Soderblom continues to amaze me. In one year of development he is a standout. Detroit’s development staff are really good with the kids now. I’m sure they’ll reach out to Raymond post tournament and give him challenges to improve his game. For sure, I hope tonight is a good night for the kids
- Jeremy Laura

Ya’ll are KILLING me!!! I recorded the game to watch b2b tonight after Army v WV!!! Can ANYONE say “Spoiler Alert”?!?!?!? 😕😖

I keep forgetting it's Raymond's first WJC. I'm likely too hard on him. But the skillset is clearly there. He'll only get better.
- gergeswillems

I’m really impressed with the young guys. See vast potential. To your point, there comes a time when being greedy is good. Raymond had multiple clear lanes the other night, bust dished the biscuit instead. He’ll get there soon. Great point on how the development of SoderMonster’s come along, some awesome work done there. A bit more time in the oven and he’s got the opportunity to destroy the net-front....

Emil Vero took Newhook outta the game!

I’m really impressed with the young guys. See vast potential. To your point, there comes a time when being greedy is good. Raymond had multiple clear lanes the other night, bust dished the biscuit instead. He’ll get there soon. Great point on how the development of SoderMonster’s come along, some awesome work done there. A bit more time in the oven and he’s got the opportunity to destroy the net-front....
- mcmastermike1968

Raymond can develop his scoring touch against Canada or Russia and just leave the USA alone!

Raymond can develop his scoring touch against Canada or Russia and just leave the USA alone!

- HenryHockey

USA should have beaten Russia...


We don't have any prospects on the US team, so go Sweden for 1st place.

I keep forgetting it's Raymond's first WJC. I'm likely too hard on him. But the skillset is clearly there. He'll only get better.
- gergeswillems

It’s nice to be able to have that high standard though. You can see the building blocks and where it needs to get. Yzerman’s picks have surprised me for two straight seasons, but the kids are both really good players. Seider is a wrecking ball and getting points. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the skill set Raymond has. We’ve all come from a place of really high caliber play to a rebuild. You can see where these kids need to get to, and it’s awesome to see how much talent they already have. Keep it going!

USA should have beaten Russia...


We don't have any prospects on the US team, so go Sweden for 1st place.
- StargateSG1

No way! Go Canada Go! 👍

The Finns are really struggling against Canada. I really thought they would give them a better game than this. Canada is in complete dominate and destroy mode!

The Finns are really struggling against Canada. I really thought they would give them a better game than this. Canada is in complete dominate and destroy mode!
- HenryHockey

Finns are sucking on fumes. Canada is winning 3-0 after 2. Shots are 35-7 Canada. Drysdale, Byram and Cozens are dummying the Finns.

Lukas Cormier signed an ELC today with Vegas
Wow! This LD has 21 pts in 13 games this season in JR.... big growth spurt for a 3rd round pick!

Nice blog Jeremy.

I have watched all of the Swedish games so far and in particular last night, Soderblom and Costmar were the Swedes 2 best players, that defenseman, Johnson I believe, is a long ways away from being an NHL quality defender.
I will be cheering for Sweden tonight and hope your prospects play better than they did last night.

Also, any news on Jared McIsaac?

No way! Go Canada Go! 👍
- gergeswillems

👍