The Detroit Red Wings look like one of the NHL's most physically imposing teams. Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now drove this point home when he wrote, "In total, the Red Wings count 19 six-footers and a dozen 200-pounders on the club’s 23-player roster."
Physical play shouldn't be a problem for Detroit, but with 19.06 hits per game, they're currently one of the softest teams in hockey. That desperately needs to change, and it's something that hasn't gone unnoticed.
Duff also noted that head coach Todd McLellan noted the issue. McLellan recently said, “We’re not a small team. It's just sometimes we don’t play big.” Knowing McLellan, that lack of physical play won't last. He's the kind of coach who diagnoses and remedies issues quickly, so expect an edgier Red Wings team in the near future.
Goaltending turmoil in Grand Rapids
Not long after it was revealed that the Grand Rapids Griffins called up Carter Gylander, they announced it was because Sebastian Cossa found himself sidelined with an injury. Michal Postava then took the reins, only to suffer an injury himself in a game vs. the Chicago Wolves.
In the interim, it looks like Gylander will be the number one guy. It also forced the Wings to make a contingency plan, signing Luke Pavicich to a PTO. Pacivich, clocking in at 6'3, 194 lbs, played college hockey at UMass, UMass-Lowell, and Arizona State before spending time with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears and Kalamazoo Wings.
In his two starts with Kalamazoo, Pacivich posted a 1-1 record, a 0.902 save percentage, and a 2.88 GAA. His best college season came in 2022-23 while playing for the Minutemen when he finished with two shutouts, a 2.75 GAA, and a 0.920 save percentage.
Imposing forward gets his chance with the Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids also signed Nolan Moyle to a PTO. Moyle got his professional hockey start in the KHL for the Kulun Red Star before returning to North America and spending time with the Red Wings' ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye.
Moyle put up 15 points and six goals in 32 contests before posting another five points in 20 games in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. This season, Moyle looked like a completely different player, recording eight points and four goals for the Walleye in just seven games.
That kind of performance was well-deserving of a tryout in Grand Rapids, and we'll see if Moyle takes advantage of it. His 6'2, 198 lbs frame boasts some size, and it gives him power forward potential. He's also versatile, listed as a center/right winger, which only adds to his value.
So, player movement is aplenty right now in Grand Rapids, while the Red Wings are doing what they can to transform their play into something grittier than what we have seen so far. It won't be long before we see the initial results as they return to action on Thursday vs. the Anaheim Ducks.