Red Wings Weekly Rewind: Frans Nielsen Waived

The Detroit Red Wings waived Frans Nielsen today, fulfilling the wishes of many in the fan base. It’s not personal, but certainly watching the progress in Grand Rapids (more on that in a second), it’s a wonder as to why Nielsen was still sticking with the team when he’s really not contributing offensively.

Prior to this, the Wings had a brutal 24 hour stretch where they not only were waxed by the Florida Panthers 7-2, but then were delivered news of the death of team masseur Sergei Tchekmarev. They responded with a 2-1 victory Saturday evening, and a goal from the previously snakebitten Matthias Bromé. It’s so good you have to watch it again:

That’s one of those where you hope it gets him–and the team–rolling. There was obviously a little more push in terms of motivation as they played with heavy hearts. It was quite the answer after the walloping they took a night earlier.

The Red Wings Power Play is Still a Mess

The needle didn’t really move here at all, though there was some improvement in light of a now 0 for 36 on the man advantage. In short, the power play is a horrific mess. Now there seem to be some solutions available but they’re in Grand Rapids, scoring goals on the man advantage aplenty. It’s interesting then, that Jeff Blashill and Dan Bylsma continue to insist on the same tired lineups, which really makes fans and pundits alike what the coaching staff is thinking at times.

The Red Wings need to look at lineup changes

Speaking of those kids above, Dennis Cholowski buried the game winner yesterday.

While Michael Rasmussen scored on the power play.

We all know the American Hockey League is developmental and that it’s not the same as the NHL. But one can only wonder how long it’ll be until the kids get an actual shot to compete with the Red Wings. Cholowski still has some defensive issues to work out but Rasmussen and Givani Smith seem to be answers not only on the power play, but as bottom six forwards in Detroit. Taro Hirose is yet another option, and seems to be a playmaker the power play, and bottom six could use.

Now with Nielsen most likely sent to the taxi squad, what will Detroit do?

Red Wings Prospect Lucas Raymond hurt

First Moritz Seider. Now Lucas Raymond.

There have been some tweets that he’s out for six weeks, but all the club said was that he is “leaving” from the lineup. (You can translate the tweet below).

Here’s hoping it’s a swift and speedy recovery for Raymond.

The schedule for the week: 

Tuesday – vs Nashville 7:30 pm EST

Thursday – vs Nashville 7:30 pm EST

Saturday – at Chicago 8:00 pm EST

Sunday – at Chicago 7:00 pm EST