It's happening! 😲
Jonathan Ericsson is one of the most controversial Red Wings of the past 15 years. He's big, he's tough, he's really good looking (yes, he's a very good looking man, there is no denying it), he works hard ... but he's not the best NHL defenseman. In fact, he's far from it.
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I hope his mother does not get this newsletter.
Ericsson, 35, is on waivers as of today. His six-year contract (worth about $25 million) is over at the end of this season, and if it wasn't clear before, it's clear now that he is not coming back to play for the Red Wing next season.
Actually, it doesn't look like he's coming back this season, whether he clears waivers or not. He is apparently injured, having been on the IR list since this season's start.
This is a day that the Ericsson haters will rejoice. I can hear you now, and I get it. He was an average player on a good team, and when injuries and age caught up to him he became a below-average player on a bad team. You hate to see that.
One thing you have to respect him for was his strength to fight through some really bad injuries throughout his career, and his willingness to drop the gloves and stick up for his teammates when the rest of the Red Wings didn't, even if it meant getting hurt himself.
So I bid him farewell, whatever his next step is.
BTW: Ericsson's cap hit is $4.25 million. That's a lot of extra money for Yzerman heading into next season ...
Erne on IR; Svechnikov called up
Meanwhile, the Red Wings announced today that forward Adam Erne is on injured reserve. What's wrong with him? It's a mystery. 🤔
But more importantly, right winger Evgeny Svechnikov has been called up. We've been waiting for more than a year to see his name in the Red Wings lineup after he missed last season due to injury.
Svechnikov, 22, was the 19th overall pick in the 2015 draft. His NHL career was set to start last season but was interrupted by a knee injury that required surgery. He didn't play any hockey all year.
Now he has a goal and three assists in three games with the Griffins this season.
The expectations for Svechnikov are high. We got a quick look at him in 14 games back in 2017-18. He had a solid season in Grand Rapids that year, too. It's time to see what he can do in the NHL.
I am excited. This is a good reason to watch the game tonight against Vancouver (7:30 p.m.).
That is all for now. Enjoy the game!
-- Dave | dbartkowiak@wdiv.com