Red Wings waive Evgeny Svechnikov as roster decisions loom
Updated Jan 11, 2021;
Posted Jan 11, 2021
Detroit Red Wings right wing Evgeny Svechnikov (37) reacts after his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)AP
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The Detroit Red Wings had high hopes for Evgeny Svechnikov after drafting him 19th overall in 2015.
But after several seasons marked by injuries and inconsistency and only 20 NHL games under his belt, the Red Wings are prepared to take the chance of losing the 6-3, 208-pound winger for nothing.
Svechnikov was waived on Monday. If he clears at noon Tuesday, he can be assigned to the taxi squad (four-to-six players) or the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, who aren’t scheduled to start the season until early February.
Detroit Red Wings waive former first-round pick Evgeny Svechnikov
The Detroit Red Wings did that Monday but also used it to expose a former first-round pick.
Among the names on the Wings’ waiver list Monday was Evgeny Svechnikov, who in the five-plus years since he was selected at 20th overall in 2015 has not been able to gain a foothold at the NHL level.
The other players waived in advance of needing to trim the roster to 23 men by Tuesday are Brian Lashoff, Dominic Turgeon, Turner Elson, Dylan McIlrath, Joe Hicketts, Calvin Rickard and Kevin Boyle.
Svechnikov, 24, has endured a number of setbacks in recent years. He practiced Monday for the first time since leaving the Jan. 5 scrimmage with an apparent injury to his right arm.
Red Wings Waive Nine; Final Roster Tomorrow
The Detroit Red Wings waived nine players on Monday as they get closer to the final 23-man opening night roster for Thursday s opener against the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena.
They are forwards Evgeny Svechnikov (pictured), Dominic Turgeon, Riley Barber, and Kyle Criscuolo. Defensemen Joe Hicketts, Brian Lashoff, and Dylan McIlrath. And finally, goaltenders Calvin Pickard and Kevin Boyle.
If all of them clear waivers, they can either be assigned to the team s taxi squad (between 4-6 players because of COVID-19) or be sent to the AHL s Grand Rapids Griffins, the team s top farm affiliate.
Jittery Danny DeKeyser felt good to be back on ice with Red Wings
Updated Jan 01, 2021;
Posted Jan 01, 2021
Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser was limited to eight games last season due to back surgery. (Mike Mulholland/MLive)
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Danny DeKeyser was up at 5:30 in the morning on New Year’s Day after a restless night, like a rookie approaching his first training camp, not the eight-year NHL veteran and second-longest tenured Detroit Red Wing that he is.
But Friday was like starting all over again for the 30-year-old defenseman. While his teammates have been away from the game for an extended time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been even longer for DeKeyser.