Couple of interesting tidbts heading into Game 1 of this series. Henrik Zetterberg has six career playoff goals against the Ducks. Zetterberg also has that many against San Jose, Edmonton and Phoenix for the most against any team. Zetterberg also has at least one point in the last eight playoff meetings between the Wings and … Continue Reading →
Another Red Wings injury? It appears to be, as the team just announced late in the second peirod that defenseman Kyle Quincey will not return because of a left leg injury. Quincey’s leg was beneath Columbus forward Artem Anisimov when Anisimov fell to the ice earlier in the period. Anisimov’s head and neck took the … Continue Reading →
General manager Ken Holland said defenseman Ian White has been cleared and will likely play Tuesday against Calgary. White suffered a deep leg laceration, just above the knee, Jan. 22 against Dallas when goalie Jimmy Howard’s skate sliced him during a play near the crease. White has missed the last five games but his return … Continue Reading →
And down goes another defenseman. The Red Wings have announced between periods that Brendan Smith will not be returning because of an upper body injury. No further details were disclosed. The Red Wings are already without defenseman Ian White (leg laceration) and Carlo Colaiacovo (shoulder). Brian Lashoff is the lone available extra defenseman.
Gustav Nyquist and Brendan Smith get a lot of the publicity among the Red Wings’ minor leaguers but keep an eye on Tomas Tatar with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Tatar is actually leading the Griffins with 11 goals and 21 assists (he also has 10 assists). Nyquist is next with 20 points (eight goals, 12 … Continue Reading →
The rosters are set for next week’s development camp held at Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City. The camp, which will be held July 7-13, will have 42 players total. Leading the way is defenseman Brendan Smith, who is expeced to be on the Red Wings roster at the start of the season. Also attending … Continue Reading →
Brad Stuart will play tonight against Calgary. There was some talk this morning about Stuart possibly missing the game because of an undisclosed injury, and being replaced by Brendan Smith. But Stuart participated in the pre-game skate and must be well enough to play. Smith is a healthy scratch.
Looks like Brendan Smith will be sticking around another day – or a few more. With defenseman Ian White (fractured cheekbone) coming off the injured list tomorrow and playing against Calgary, the Wings have assigned forward Fabian Brunnstrom to Grand Rapids. Brunnstrom’s wife, incidentally, is expecting the couple’s first child any day now, so he gets to me with her. And Smith, who the Wings were really impressed with, gets to stay with the big club, and might play with the Wings tomorrow, as coach Mike Babcock said one defenseman is “sore” and may not able to play.
Brendan Smith is making his NHL debut this evening when the Red Wings play San Jose. You never know with these things, obviously, but I have a hunch this could be the start of a pretty good career. He seems to have that “it” factor on the ice. He likes to have the puck, enjoys making plays,. and plays with a bit of an edge. You just have a feeling with certain guys, and I have a hunch this could be a real, real good player for the Wings for a long time.
No word yet on whether Brendan Smith is staying with the Wings for the remainder of this trip. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does. There should be a chance later in the week to get him into the lineup, either in Los Angeles or Anaheim. And we saw on the Kronwall play (who luckily escaped serious injury) how important it is to have depth. With Ian White (cheekbone) unavailable, might as well keep Smith on board.