Game-Ending Dust Up: Red Wings Justin Abdelkader Turtles

Detriot Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader was real brave at the end of game two when he was punching Mike Blunden as he laid on his back. At the end of game three, Abdelkader was again out on the ice during a game-ending dustup. Abdelkader should have been suspended during game three escaped the NHL wheel of justice.

This time, Tampa Bay Lightning forward and resident tough guy Brian Boyle came looking to collect. This time, Abdelkader turtled. Luckily for Abdelkader, the ref was able to rescue him before he had his ass handed to him. Fans are already taking to Twitter to show their thoughts on Abdelkader.

Here is a closeup of Justin Abdelkader looking at @BriBrows22 pic.twitter.com/RpGelE1tXW

— Christine Gunn (@ChristineLRM) April 18, 2016

Matt Beleskey Knee-on-Knee hit on Gustav Nyquist

Boston Bruins forward Matt Beleskey puts a knee-on-knee hit on Detriot Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist. This is a dangerous hit and needs to be eliminated from the game of hockey. There was no penalty assessed on the play and Nyquist appeared shaken up on the play.

Pavel Datsyuk Scores his 10th Goal of the Year: (Justin Abdelkader High-Stick)

Two goals by the Detriot Red Wings and they were both semi-controversial. Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk scores his 10th goal of the year. From the video, it appears that Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader touched the puck with a high-stick. Thoughts?

Rask likely looking for a high stick call there. Play not reviewed. #NHLBruins still up, 3-2, late in the first.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 14, 2016

Datsyuk on the power play. Or again, is it? Abdelkader might have gotten a stick on Richards' shot above the crossbar.

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) February 14, 2016

Goal stands as Datsyuk tallies his 900th career NHL point. Tuukka saves the Bruins' bacon off a turnover shortly after.

— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) February 14, 2016

(2/2) Possible high stick by Abdelkader not a reviewable play by Situation Room. Goal by Datsyuk then entered Boston net in a legal fashion.

— Jack Edwards (@RealJackEdwards) February 14, 2016

Henrik Zetterberg goal versus Boston (Coaches Challenge)

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg scored his 11th goal of the season, but it appears that he might have been a bit lucky. Although the video was not able to confirm, Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader "might" have been offsides at the blue line. The Bruins challenged the play, and as usual, they lost. So, was the play offsides or not?

#NHLBruins using their Coach's Challenge.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 14, 2016

The call on the ice stands. Good goal. 1-1 game.

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 14, 2016

Time to Eliminate the Push Check: Tomas Jurko Hit on Scottie Upshall

Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Jurko was given a two-minute minor penalty for this cross-check on St. Louis forward Scottie Upshall. This is a hit that happens 100's of times a month. It's a dangerous hit that needs to be eliminated from all level of hockey. Although not usually a malicious hit, there have been quite a few players hurt on this type of hit.

Flyers Hosed on Niklas Kronwall Goal

I agree with former NHL on-ice official Kerry Fraser, I was surprised that this goal wasn't overturned by the war room. The goalie needs to be able to make a save. In this instance, Michal Neuvirth was interfered with and unable to make a save. Below, is the NHL goalie interference rule.

Rule 69 – Interference on the Goalkeeper

Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-ice judgement of the Referee(s), and not by means of video replay or review.

So, if you read the NHL's rule 69, was this the correct call? I don't believe it was.

I'm not surprised challenge did not reverse Det goal. Neuvirth's glove positioned outside paint. Helm's back to net engaged w/Gudas.

— Kerry Fraser (@kfraserthecall) January 18, 2016

What's Wrong with NHL Officiating

In another episode of blow the f#*king whistle. I have no problem with Wild defenseman Ryan Suter locking up with Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader behind the net. That's two guys battling hard, that's hard-nosed hockey. In my opinion, Sutter started the incident. The box score will read:

19:44 DET Justin Abdelkader Roughing - 2 min against Ryan Suter
19:44 MIN Ryan Suter Roughing - 2 min against Justin Abdelkader

I do have a problem with the mugging that Zach Parise took from Danny Dekeyser. There should have been a minor penalty or two called on Dekeyser. The refs are again letting the obstruction go. They need to call the penalties that happen right in front of their eyes.

Wes McCauley, solid officiating there. Only ignored about 10 infractions

— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) December 29, 2015

Former WMU Coach Jeff Blashill named Red Wings Head Coach

Another former college head coach has been named head coach in the NHL.

Noah Trister, the Globe and Mail -- Jeff Blashill was hired Tuesday by the Detroit Red Wings, ending a fairly un-suspenseful coaching search that began when Mike Babcock left to take over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Blashill has coached Detroit’s minor league affiliate in Grand Rapids for the past three seasons, and he was an obvious candidate for the Red Wings once Babcock left. Detroit general manager Ken Holland acknowledged right away that he was going to talk to Blashill about the job, but the Griffins made it to the conference finals in the AHL playoffs. Blashill’s promotion was announced Tuesday.

Blashill led Grand Rapids to the Calder Cup in 2013. He says he’d been eyeing the Red Wings’ job since it became clear Babcock’s future was uncertain.

A Detroit native, Blashill coached at Western Michigan before joining the Red Wings’ organization. Blashill was an assistant coach for the Red Wings in 2011-12 before taking over at Grand Rapids.

Links to Story

Blashill 'can't wait' to get started with Red Wings (Detroit Free Press)

Seidel: 16 reasons Jeff Blashill is right for Red Wings (Detroit Free Press)

Red Wings hire Jeff Blashill to replace Mike Babcock (ESPN.COM)

Wings tab Blashill: 'I can't wait to go to work' (Detroit News)

Detroit Red Wings introduce Jeff Blashill as new coach to replace Mike Babcock (US News)

This is the season, change change change

by Redwing77

Ok, first I see my Red Wings bow out early.  That's ok, I didn't expect them to make the playoffs (none of the pundits did either).  Now... lots of change.

First, Hakstol bolts for the Flyers.  Ugh.  I don't like the Flyers.  Better there than Buffalo or Toronto, perhaps, but still....  it stinks.  I never saw it coming.  That being said, I talked to Hakstol in Kearney, Nebraska while the Tri City Storm (with UND recruit Chris Wilkie) faced off in what would turn out to be the season ending game for the Omaha Lancers (with UND recruit Shane Gersich).  He was a great guy and a splendid ambassador for North Dakota.

I still love to think about the Haters.  I mean, Hakstol couldn't win it all in his 11 seasons with North Dakota even with stacked rosters and a bucket load of tradition (which, by the way, never makes saves nor scores goals but whatever).  So, obviously, Hakstol shouldn't be considered worthy of anything, right?  Or perhaps just worthy of a head coaching gig in the NHL.  Not even the NoDak godcoach Dean Blais garnered that post... or perhaps he turned them all down to get an associate head coaching gig with the Blue Jackets?  Whatever.

Nevertheless, I don't know how it will work out for Hakstol in the NHL.  I hope he's successful.  It's a different world in the pros.  A TON of entitlement and "me first" attitudes prevail in that league.  Maybe he'll be able to convince Ron Hextall (of all people to say what's next) that GOALTENDING might actually be a CONCERN for Philly?  Hmm???  Seriously!  2 career backups and 1 30 something year old rookie isn't going to win you much.

Anyways....

And now Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock will head to Toronto to be the head conductor aboard the second biggest train derailment in the NHL (behind Buffalo).  Ok, there were rumors abounding regarding this pre-season but still!  This is a good deal for Toronto.  I mean, stealing assistants from Detroit didn't necessarily work out (see San Jose) so why not steal the head coach himself?

In any regards, the front runner for the Detroit gig is former WMU head coach Blashill.  Blashill knows the system Detroit runs and has lead the Wings in developing many of the younger stars currently on the Wings roster.  I don't know if this will thrust the Wings back to the Finals but it's not exactly a dumpster hire either.

If he's hired, it may also be good for college hockey.  In the past, I got the feeling that Detroit really didn't have much faith in the NCAA (despite Nyquist, Abdelkader, Howard, and a few others).  They typically invested a lot more in the Scandenavian hockey markets and major juniors as well.  Perhaps there is a shift in hockey town towards a find the best no matter where mentality that will include the NCAA now?  Who knows.

In any case, I haven't the foggiest idea what will happen in Detroit and Philly next season or two.

Final Random Musing:

However, in Toronto, the scuttlebutt is that Babcock's hiring is BAD NEWS for one named Kessel.  Babcock likes solid play at both ends and a complete buy in to the system.  He might be able to do that (much like Trotz did with Ovechkin), but many amateur pundits (including myself) suggest that Kessel should pack his bags in time for Draft Day because he'll be moving out of Toronto.

Kronwall faces Player Safety hearing

It looks like Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall might have finally earned himself a suspension after this hit on Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov.  I think that Kronwall might not be able to get out of this one.

NHL Department of Players Safety -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall will have a telephone hearing Tuesday with the NHL Department of Player Safety for a hit against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday.

Kucherov was hit by Kronwall at 19:00 of the second period. No penalty was assessed on the play and Kucherov remained in the game.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: charging/illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Kucherov gets Kronwalled

The hit of the night. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall steamrolls Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov. Get off the track if you don't want to get run over. I guess you could make the argument that Kronwall hits Kucherov in the chops with his elbow. That being said, I see nothing wrong with this hit.

Wild Hockey, Nope! Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings Scrum

Thank God that the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues game didn't start till 2:20 p.m. CT. About 2:30 into the game, the Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning were exchanging pleasantries. #BecauseItsThePlayoffs

Game 2! Let's Go! #STLvsMIN »»📱#mnwild & @mnwildLIVE | 📻 @KFAN1003 | 📺 @NBC
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 18, 2015

A Look at the NHL Standings

With the win against the Chicago Blackhawks last night, the Wild are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There's one spot remaining in the West. In the East, the Bruins, Pens and Senators are fighting for the remaining spot. It's going down to the wire.

Drew Miller's Disallowed Goal, Luke Glendening Goalie Interference

From the blown call department. Here's the video of Detroit Red Wings forward Drew Miller's disallowed Goal. If you look closely you will see that Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby trips all by himself. Red Wings forward  Luke Glendening was given a two-minute penalty for goalie interference.

USA's Justin Abdelkader Suspended by the IIHF for hit on Vladimir Sobotka

Former Michigan State Spartan Justin Abdelkader has been give a three-game suspension by the IIHF for a hit to the head of Czech forward Vladimir Sobotka (video include above). My youtube video also made the USA Today Sports page.

Helene St. James, USA TODAY Sports -- The tournament showed both the good and ugly in Abdelkader's game. He had three goals and four points in seven games — but he also managed to get suspended for two separate incidents. It was the severity of the second one — a hit to the head of Czech forward Vladimir Sobotka — that resulted in Tuesday's announcement by the International Ice Hockey Federation of a three-game suspension. The suspension would take effect at the 2015 world championship (of course, there's no guarantee Abdelkader will appear in the tournament).

Red Wings to get $650 million arena

If you're a Detroit Red Wings fan, you've got to be pretty happy today. They're getting a shiny new arena. They will begin constructing it this September, with the ground breaking.

$650 million Detroit Red Wings arena and district plan is out and I found out @yingyangtwins are coming to Hamtramck in September! #bonus!
— Eric Lacy (@EricLacy) July 21, 2014

Detroit Red Wings arena plan could save two historic, blighted Cass Corridor 1920s-style hotels http://t.co/trJXufmMKc via @mlive
— Eric Lacy (@EricLacy) July 20, 2014

Updated Uneventful Free Agency

Pretty light free agent action during the holiday weekend. In my opinion, this has been an uneventful free agency signing so far. Looking at the list, there's not a lot of attractive options out there. 

Awkward moment? Brendan Lemieux interviewed by Red Wings at the Combine

#480690719 / gettyimages.com

This might qualify as an awkward moment. Former UND hockey recruit Brendan Lemieux was interviewed by the Detroit Red Wings. Brendan's dad probably doesn't have a lot of fans in Detroit, especially after he destroyed Chris Draper with a dirty hit during the 1996 Western Conference Finals.

Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com --- One of the more intriguing interviews for Brendan took place with the Detroit Red Wings. It was during Game 6 of the 1996 Western Conference Final that Claude Lemieux, then with the Avalanche, hit Detroit's Kris Draper from behind, driving Draper into the top of the boards near the Red Wings' bench and leaving Draper with a broken jaw, cheek bone and orbital bone.

Draper, now a special assistant to Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, was on hand when the interview took place with Brendan.

"We had a great conversation," Brendan said. "He's a really nice guy. I did not think I was going to get interviewed by them, let alone have it be serious. I thought they were going to walk in, make a few jokes and I was going to leave, but I have nothing but good things to say about their organization. They were extremely professional and they barely brought it up. I tried to joke about it and they weren't even budging.

"I have no problem playing in Detroit after that interview, for sure."

UND could end up losing recruit Ryan Mantha, depending on who drafts him

As a fan of the University of North Dakota, none of us are shocked by these revelations. We have seen it numerous times. We will see it again, probably sooner rather than later. 

[From the Hockey Writers] Ryan Mantha, Sioux City USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

Def Ryan Mantha (Indiana Ice in @USHL) said whichever team drafts him will determine his fate: Either the UofNorth Dakota or Sault St. Marie
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) May 27, 2014

Related articles

• UND Recruits - Jack Rowe and Ryan Mantha
• UND Hockey: UND Recruits in the 2014 NHL Entry Level Draft

Note to the NHL Officials, Cross-Checking is a Penalty

#becauseitsthecup ... Even thought it's the playoffs, cross-checking your opponent in the head is still a penalty, right? It should be. This should be called, this is a dirty hit and should be a five-minute major in my opinion. Thoughts?

Let me clear, I am not a dove by any stretch of the imagination, and this is coming from a guy that has the nickname Goon, but this could be classified a deliberate attempt to injure your opponent. This is why the NHL players are suffering from concussions in high numbers.