Red Wings January 2026 Game Threads

[lordstanley]

The Wings still have the most points in the East - not point % as other teams have multiple games in hand - but have the Atlantic’s worst goal differential, at minus 7. 

[gehringer_2]

3 minutes ago, lordstanley said:

The Wings still have the most points in the East - not point % as other teams have multiple games in hand - but have the Atlantic’s worst goal differential, at minus 7. 

They are a weird team. I go back and forth over whether McLellan is just a really great coach that has them playing way over their talent level most of the time, or that they have just been lucky playing a lot of teams that are off their game  or maybe Gibson is just really playing well; because when I watch them play, I just don't see enough above average hockey players on the ice to be a 1st place team.

[buddha]

the red wings have been pretty unlucky shooting this year.  they should have more goals than they do.

they have a third pair defense that is awful and constantly caved in.  their second pair isnt great either.

theyre about to get passed up by other teams who have played less games.  but goal difference is a bit misleading, i dont think they've been seriously outplayed much this season (this game notwithstanding).

[Shinzaki]

Finnie is a great story ...but we need an upgrade at LW1 and LHD...and really RHD.

 

[1984Echoes]

1 hour ago, gehringer_2 said:

They are a weird team. I go back and forth over whether McLellan is just a really great coach that has them playing way over their talent level most of the time, or that they have just been lucky playing a lot of teams that are off their game  or maybe Gibson is just really playing well; because when I watch them play, I just don't see enough above average hockey players on the ice to be a 1st place team.

They're going to start getting pushed around, if they aren't already.

I want all the "big kids" called up from GR.

Just throw them into the fire... I don't care. Let them learn EXACTLY how difficult NHL hockey is.

But that's just me.

I know Stevie Y won't do that.

[Motor City Sonics]

This game is going to cost them big time.   Big time. 

[buddha]

58 minutes ago, 1984Echoes said:

They're going to start getting pushed around, if they aren't already.

I want all the "big kids" called up from GR.

Just throw them into the fire... I don't care. Let them learn EXACTLY how difficult NHL hockey is.

But that's just me.

I know Stevie Y won't do that.

you called for asp and danielson.  theyre here and are part of the problem.  what makes you think the "big kids" in GR who arent as good as those two will suddenly come up and be better?

i'd like to at least SEE wallinder, buium, and lombardi to just get a look at them at the nhl level.  but i have no illusions they'll be improvements this season.  maybe buium would be, but i highly doubt it.

as for line one upgrades, i think we have one in kasper but they refuse to move him back up.

[1984Echoes]

I've already stated specifically why I want the "big kids" called up.

And you and I are already in complete agreement on one specific move (NOT GR related...):

Swapping Kasper and Finnie because at least Kasper won't get knocked on his ass like Finnie is... And Kasper needs to be challenged, on the 1st line, in both our opinions... And... Finnie can just as easily spark a 3rd line with Danielson and Ras, in protected minutes, as he has (earlier) done on the 1st line for Larkin and Raymond... by doing dirty work and making smart IQ plays. Only not against other teams' top, bigger, tougher, more experienced lines.

I'm not saying Wallinder Tuomisto MBN Cossa are "better" than Johansson Hamonic Talbot Soderblom...

But they have size, youth, speed, reach... and even if NOT NHL playoff-level toughness, they still at LEAST have size and youth to absorb more punishment than several of the players on the current Wings roster. Like Johansson, Hamonic, and Talbot.

Trial by fire.

You can be upset by that if you want to...

But I cold-heartedly want to toss those kids into the fire.

What a Sadist am I...

[lordstanley]

The Wings need to play better. The Sens outplayed them all night. But I’ll always accept a road win in regulation over a division rival. Detroit 5 Ottawa 3 

[buddha]

That was a big win.

a big, lucky win.  but a win nonetheless.

they were totally outplayed most of the night, but made the most of their chances and ottawa's goalies were suspect.  two ottawa goals called back (rightfully).  gibson played well, but ottawa just flat out missed some chances.  the wings were very sloppy.

[buddha]

ummmm....i watched that game and there is no way on god's green earth did jbd and aljo play that well.  absolutely none.

[gehringer_2]

I skipped through this one a bit on the DVR, a couple of things that stood out:

• It was Larkin that completely lost his man on one of the OTT goals. I don't know if he was cheating up ice thinking the Wings were about to regain possession or what, but a bad play from a guy that knows better.
• ASP continues to struggle with the 'defense' part of being a defenseman. Maybe if he comes back next season 15-20lb heavier?
• Gibson was the best player on the ice. I'm sure today it's the Ottawa fans looking at this game with a sigh and saying it was one of those games where they won the game on the ice but got stoned by the goalie.

Edited Tuesday at 02:22 PM by gehringer_2

[Shinzaki]

Danielson back to the GR

[gehringer_2]

4 minutes ago, Shinzaki said:

Danielson back to the GR

I wonder if that means Leonard is going to get his 10th game ( and thus the rest of the season).

I imagine ASP would be next if they thought they could decide who would be better.

[buddha]

Danielson made very little impact.  for a guy who was a top ten pick, that's not great news.

[gehringer_2]

15 minutes ago, buddha said:

Danielson made very little impact.  for a guy who was a top ten pick, that's not great news.

You don't mind as much if a guy shows up, proves he isn't ready, but shows you flashes of what he can be (e.g.ASP). Didn't see much of that either.

Edited Tuesday at 04:30 PM by gehringer_2

[lordstanley]

On 1/3/2026 at 2:14 PM, buddha said:

you called for asp and danielson.  theyre here and are part of the problem.  what makes you think the "big kids" in GR who arent as good as those two will suddenly come up and be better?

i'd like to at least SEE wallinder, buium, and lombardi to just get a look at them at the nhl level.  but i have no illusions they'll be improvements this season.  maybe buium would be, but i highly doubt it.

as for line one upgrades, i think we have one in kasper but they refuse to move him back up.

Down goes Danielson. 
https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-assign-nate-danielson-to-grand-rapids

[Mr.TaterSalad]

21 hours ago, buddha said:

Danielson made very little impact.  for a guy who was a top ten pick, that's not great news.

There were four guys I remember wanting over Danielson at the time: Zach Benson, Colby Barlow, Matthew Wood, and Dalibor Dvorsky. None of them are lighting the world on fire thus far. Two of them aren't even in the NHL yet in Barlow and Dvorsky. I don't know if a 5'10, small winger like Benson was really what we needed, but I was intrigued by his ability to put the puck in the net as a 98 point guy in the WHL.

[1984Echoes]

2 hours ago, Mr.TaterSalad said:

There were four guys I remember wanting over Danielson at the time: Zach Benson, Colby Barlow, Matthew Wood, and Dalibor Dvorsky. None of them are lighting the world on fire thus far. Two of them aren't even in the NHL yet in Barlow and Dvorsky. I don't know if a 5'10, small winger like Benson was really what we needed, but I was intrigued by his ability to put the puck in the net as a 98 point guy in the WHL.

I'm not worried about Danielson at all.

Just like MBN and so many other young kids that get sent down to the AHL for more "seasoning"...

I'm just going to attribute this to the "learning curve" that he is going to have to go through to get up to top NHL speed. He's not there yet... 

But...

He's also still only 21. 

So...

We'll see. That's all we can do is... wait. And see if he can come back stronger, faster, better. Even if that isn't until the 2026-27 season.

[Shinzaki]

Dnielson showed a nice touch on some passes...but it's hard to get much traction as a younger player in limited minutes.

[slothfacekilla]

Wings up 1-0 over the Canucks after one period, goal by Kane

[slothfacekilla]

JVR is playing really well lately, pro scouting seems to have had a good offseason for once

[lordstanley]

Would like to see Kane get his 500th now. 
 

My daughter is at Panthers @ Habs tonight. She has cheered for Florida for years due to the Luongo effect and is sad that “Marchie” was scratched due to an injury incurred the other night vs Toronto. Montreal is up 2-0. 

[lordstanley]

The Canucks are a weak team. 3-1 Wings with 7 minutes to go. 

[lordstanley]

500 for Kane! Empty netter

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by lordstanley