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Joey Barrington: My five-point plan to improve England Squash

Published in Squash
Wednesday, 13 December 2023 22:11

World Team Squash 2023: USA men end New Zealand home hopes

Published in Squash
Thursday, 14 December 2023 05:03

USA broke home hearts in Taurangas Mercury Baypark Arena with a hard-fought victory over New Zealand as they reached the last eight of the championship for the first time since 2011.

The No.5 seeds started well through third string Spencer Lovejoy, with the World No.69 giving his side a platform with an 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 win over Temwa Chileshe.

World No.3 Coll, so often the rock of New Zealand teams and in form after winning the New Zealand Open in four days ago, restored parity for the [9/12] seeds who were targeting a third-consecutive quarter-final appearance through a 3-0 win against Timothy Brownell.

In the crucial third match, it was USAs Shahjahan Khan who was able to provide the telling contribution.

The 28-year-old who two days ago came in during the third match to clinch victory on a fifth-game tie-break against Czech Republics Daniel Mekbib held his nerve in an entertaining four-game contest with Lwamba Chileshe to take his side through.

I feel play best under pressure. Playing for the team is different and gets me more motivated, Khan said afterwards.

USA will face Switzerland in the quarter-final after the No.4 seeds reached the last eight for the first time with a comfortable win against eight-time champions Australia.

Earlier in the day, top seeds and defending champions Egypt continued their serene progress through the competition with a straightforward win over South Africa to set up a quarter-final clash with Scotland, who qualified for the last eight for the third time in succession thanks to a rescue effort from Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart against Hong Kong, China.

Elsewhere, England, France and Germany cruised past Malaysia, Nigeria and Canada, while Wales came through a fiery clash with Czech Republic.

Results: WSF Mens World Team Championship, Round of 16

[1] EGYPT 2-0 [13/16] SOUTH AFRICAYoussef Soliman 3-0 Damian Groenewald: 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 (25m)Mostafa Asal 3-0 Dewald van Niekerk: 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (22m)Mazen Hesham MW Jean-Pierre Brits [7] SCOTLAND 2-1 [8] HONG KONG, CHINAAlan Clyne 0-3 Chi Him Wong: 10-12, 8-11, 8-11 (43m)Greg Lobban 3-1 Tsz Kwan Lau: 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 11-4 (48m)Rory Stewart 3-1 Henry Leung: 11-4, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9 (57m) [4] SWITZERLAND 2-0 [13/16] AUSTRALIANicolas Mueller 3-0 Joseph White 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-6 (28m)Yannick Wilhelmi 3-0 Dylan Molinaro: 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 (27m)Dimitri Steinmann MW Rhys Dowling [5] USA v [9/12] NEW ZEALANDSpencer Lovejoy 3-0 Temwa Chileshe: 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (36m)Timothy Brownell 0-3 Paul Coll: 6-11, 2-11, 5-11 (32m)Shahjahan Khan 3-1 Lwamba Chileshe: 11-4, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7 (54m) [6] WALES 2-0 [9/12] CZECH REPUBLICOwain Taylor 3-1 Daniel Mekbib: 11-4, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6 (55m)Joel Makin 3-0 Martin Svec: 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 (23m)Emyr Evans MW Viktor Byrtus [3] FRANCE 2-0 [13/16] NIGERIAGregoire Marche 3-0 Gabriel Olufunmilayo: 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (29m)Victor Crouin 3-0 Babatunde Ajagbe: 11-0, 11-5, 11-9 (26m)Baptiste Masotti MW Adegoke Onaopemipo [9/12] GERMANY 2-0 [9/12] CANADAYannik Omlor 3-0 Liam Marrison: 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (44m)Raphael Kandra 3-1 Salah Eltorgman: 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 11-6 (34m)Simon Rösner MW Brett Schille [2] ENGLAND 2-0 [13/16] MALAYSIA Patrick Rooney 3-0 Ameeshenraj Chandaran: 11-1, 11-3, 11-5 (23m)Mohamed ElShorbagy 3-0 Addeen Idrakie: 11-6, 11-4, 11-8 (28m)Marwan ElShorbagy MW Sanjay Jeeva

Draw: WSF Mens World Team Championship, Quarter-Final[1] EGYPT v [7] SCOTLAND[4] SWITZERLAND  v [5] USA[6] WALES v [3] FRANCE[9/12] GERMANY v [2] ENGLAND

English sides may have been taken lightly - Baxter

Published in Rugby
Thursday, 14 December 2023 04:07

Exeter boss Rob Baxter believes English sides may have been taken lightly in the first round of the Champions Cup.

Exeter and Harlequins beat French sides while Sale, Bath, Bristol, Leicester and Northampton also won.

"Because of the negativity surrounding the Premiership lately, it would be very easy to take the Premiership clubs lightly. Maybe that's what happened," director of rugby Baxter said.

"There's not a player playing first-team Premiership rugby in this country who isn't a determined, good, professional rugby player and you've seen that in how competitive all the games have been.

"When you turn up with 15 of you on the field and they're all competitive and they've all got something to fight for you'll give yourself a great chance of winning games of rugby, and I think that's what I've seen.

"Our challenge going forward is how we maintain things not just over seasons, but over blocks of seasons where you end up seeing two Premiership clubs in semi-finals or two Premiership clubs getting to latter stages.

"That's when we're going to really see whether we're really holding our own, and that's an exciting thing for us to try and achieve."

Having seen three sides go bust last season and a number of players leave England, in particular for France, there had been concerns that English sides might struggle in Europe.

Exeter registered a historic win at three-time champions Toulon, Marcus Smith inspired Quins to a victory in Paris over French league leaders Racing 92 and Sale crushed Stade Francais 28-5 at home.

Saracens were the only Premiership team to lose at South African side Bulls.

"We should be talking positively about the Premiership and the results at the weekend bear that out," added Baxter, who led Exeter to victory in the 2020 Champions Cup.

"There should be more positivity around Premiership rugby than there is at the moment, but at the same time we also have to be able to back that up.

"If we just fall down to Munster and play poorly, if Premiership clubs now going into their second games perform poorly, that starts to drop away again.

"For me we'll know those answers a little bit down the line. One round is a little early to tell.

"If we're towards the latter stages and there's a few Premiership clubs involved, then we can start to look at the reasons why that's happened."

Exeter host Irish side Munster on Sunday.

Howley returns to Welsh rugby after four-year gap

Published in Rugby
Thursday, 14 December 2023 03:07

Robert Howley will return to the Wales coaching staff for the 2024 Six Nations after a four-year absence.

Warren Gatland's former assistant, who was banned from the game in December 2019 for betting breaches, has been appointed as a technical coach.

Howley links up with Gatland again as Wales begin their Six Nations campaign against Scotland on 3 February.

"It feels to me like the time is right and I am looking forward to returning to the fold with Wales," said Howley.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) earlier announced Jonathan Thomas has left his role as contact area coach, with Howley appointed to help fill the void.

Alex King (attack), Mike Forshaw (defence), Jonathan Humphreys (forwards) and Neil Jenkins (kicking) remain in the coaching set-up.

In his new role, Howley will also have special responsibility for the men's and boys' pathway, working closely with the new Wales Under-20s head coach Richard Whiffin.

Howley will join Whiffin at an under-20s camp in Scotland next week and for training matches in the new year before their Six Nations competition.

Whiffin succeeds Mark Jones, who stepped down from the role following the Junior World Championships last summer to take a position with Ospreys.

Howley's appointment is the next step in his reintegration into the game after his stellar coaching career was left in tatters in 2019.

Howley was a key part of the first golden Gatland era, which featured three Grand Slams along with a fourth Six Nations title while he was caretaker coach during a 12-year stint. Howley also toured three times as British and Irish Lions attack coach.

But just days before the 2019 World Cup kicked off in Japan, his life was turned upside down as he was sent home amid allegations of betting breaches.

He was subsequently banned from rugby for 18 months, nine of them suspended.

The former Bridgend, Cardiff, Wasps, Wales and Lions scrum-half was given a route back by Canada head coach and former Wales captain Kingsley Jones in 2020.

Howley was hired as senior assistant coach and also worked as a consultant with the Toronto Arrows, who ceased trading in November 2023.

"I have a second opportunity to do a job I've dedicated my working life to and I'm grateful to everyone in Welsh rugby for their acceptance and their faith in me, it's faith I intend to repay to the best of my ability," said Howley.

"I have been through an extremely challenging time in my life, speaking out and talking about it has enabled me to move forward.

"I will be more than happy to share my experience with others who might be experiencing tough times and I'm grateful to all of those around me who have supported me through these times.

"The opportunity to work with the U20s and other pathway teams and help develop and prepare them for the challenges of international rugby is particularly exciting.

"In Richard Whiffin, we have a very talented young coach coming in to take charge of the U20s and we have a great group of players identified already, so the future is looking really positive in Wales despite the obvious challenges of the current economic environment globally."

Gatland was blocked by the WRU from bringing back his former number two when the Kiwi took charge of Wales a second time last December, but he now has his wish.

"Rob is one of the most successful and experienced Welsh coaches on the international arena at the moment," said Gatland.

"When we lost Rob from Welsh rugby, we lost a hugely significant amount of intellectual property, knowledge of the game in Wales and of the international scene.

"I'm delighted to welcome him back into this new role. To be able to link the U20s and pathway teams up seamlessly with our strategy and planning for the national squad is going to benefit all parts of the game, including our four regional sides and their academies.

"As far as the senior men's team is concerned we are delighted that he will be joining the 2024 coaching team and it is a major coup for Welsh rugby to have secured his services once again."

Jones feels no 'guilt' over Japan appointment

Published in Rugby
Thursday, 14 December 2023 06:16

Eddie Jones says he does not "feel any guilt" about becoming Japan's head coach, six weeks after he resigned as Australia boss.

Jones said he had "no job to go" after reports he interviewed for the Japan jobexternal-link before Australia's worst ever World Cup, going out in the group stage.

"I didn't do an interview before the World Cup," Jones said.

"I was asked by the recruitment agency to share my experiences on Japan and some people might have construed that as an interview.

"The first interview I had with Japan was in December and that's the only one I've had.

"I don't feel any guilt at all about this process."

Jones, who took charge of Australia for his second stint in January, only registered two wins from his nine games in charge.

At the World Cup, the Wallabies were defeated by Wales and Fiji in Pool C, failing to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

On 17 October he said he remained committed to Australia despite their poor World Cup, but resigned two weeks later.

"I feel terrible about the results [with Australia]," Jones added: "I wanted to go back and change Australia.

"Rugby Australia weren't able to help support that so I decided to move on. I wish Australia all the best."

'Jones lied'

The former England coach led Japan between 2012 and 2015, which included the famous win over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup.

Jones, who took the England job after his success with Japan, was sacked in 2022 after a dismal year of results, with only five wins from 12 Tests, before signing a five-year deal through to 2027 with the Wallabies.

Former New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams believes Jones lied about having an interview with Japan before the World Cup and that his actions have been a "disgrace".

"Obviously he lied to the players, he lied to the public, he lied to the Australian Rugby Union," the double World Cup winner told Australian broadcaster Channel Nine.

"I feel sorry for Japan. His track record speaks for itself."

Ireland coach Farrell signs new contract

Published in Rugby
Thursday, 14 December 2023 04:38

Andy Farrell has signed a new long-term contract to remain as Ireland head coach until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Farrell's Irish side lost to New Zealand in the quarter-final of this year's World Cup, having gone into the tournament ranked number one in the world.

He led Ireland to a first-ever series win in New Zealand last summer and they won a Grand Slam earlier this year.

He became Ireland head coach in 2019.

The Englishman, whose previous contract ran until 2025, replaced Joe Schmidt, having been a part of the New Zealander's coaching staff since 2016, and won the World Rugby Coach of the Year award in October.

Farrell, who has been strongly linked with the vacant British and Irish Lions head coach position, with former bosses Warren Gatland and Sir Ian McGeechan backing him to take the team for the 2025 tour of Australia.

It was also announced on Thursday that attack coach Mike Catt will leave his role at the end of the season.

On his new deal, Farrell said: "Coaching Ireland has been a hugely enjoyable experience and I am proud to extend my association with the IRFU.

"It is a pleasure to work with such a talented and committed group of players and, as we enter a new cycle, it will be exciting to see more players come through the system.

"There is a talented group of established internationals who are determined to succeed at international level for Ireland and I am excited to see how the last number of Ireland Under-20 squads will also emerge and challenge for international honours in the near future.

"It all makes for an exciting next chapter and it is one which my family and I are delighted to continue."

'World-class coach and inspirational leader'

Ireland have not played since that disappointing last-eight World Cup loss to the All Blacks, which came after an excellent showing in a tough group.

As well as comfortable wins over Romania and Tonga, Ireland saw off eventual tournament winners South Africa in a memorable encounter before beating Scotland with a hugely impressive performance.

Farrell's men will be back in France for their next match in February when they will begin the defence of their Six Nations title without captain Johnny Sexton, who retired after the World Cup.

"Over the course of the last four years Andy has helped drive the highest standards for the men's national team and it is testament to the positive environment which he and his backroom team have fostered that Ireland has enjoyed such a sustained period of success in recent times," said IRFU performance director David Nucifora.

"Andy is an ambitious and talented coach who continues to make an indelible mark on Irish rugby, and it is a significant coup to retain his services. I have no doubt that he will look to build in the years to come."

IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts said Farrell's new deal is a "hugely positive boost" for Irish rugby.

"Andy is a world-class coach and an inspirational leader of great talent and integrity who has already made a significant contribution to Irish rugby through his leadership of our men's national team.

"We are extremely pleased that he has agreed to remain in Ireland."

Jets leading scorer Connor to injured reserve

Published in Hockey
Thursday, 14 December 2023 04:16

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Winnipeg Jets leading scorer Kyle Connor has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The Jets announced the move on social media Wednesday. The team did not provide a timetable for the forward's return.

Connor was injured during the second period of Sunday's 4-2 win over the Ducks when he took a knee from Anaheim defenseman Ryan Strome, who received a game misconduct on the play but avoided a suspension.

Before Tuesday's 2-1 loss at San Jose, Jets coach Rick Bowness said Connor underwent an MRI on Monday and had been sent back to Winnipeg to be examined by team doctors.

Bowness also stood by his original opinion, saying the hit should have drawn a suspension.

"I respectfully disagree with the league," Bowness said. "I still think it's a suspendable offense. I felt it then, I've looked at it a number of times, and I still feel that way."

Connor, 27, has 17 goals and 28 points in 25 games this season. He leads the team in goals and is tied with Mark Scheifele for the lead in points. He recorded a career-high 47 goals and 93 points in 2021-22.

The Jets called up forward Dominic Toninato from the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose.

The Jets wrapped up a four-game trip with a 5-2 win Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Harkins gives Pens win in 12th round of shootout

Published in Hockey
Thursday, 14 December 2023 04:16

Sidney Crosby climbed the NHL career scoring list and Jansen Harkins scored the deciding goal in the 12th round of the shootout to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.

The 12-round shootout is the longest in the NHL since Nov. 22, 2016, when the New York Islanders defeated the Anaheim Ducks. It's the 11th shootout in NHL history to go at least 12 rounds.

Crosby had two goals and an assist to move past Paul Coffey and into a tie with former teammate Mark Recchi for 13th place on the NHL points list with 1,533.

"It goes by really quick," Crosby, who had Recchi as a mentor when he entered the NHL 18 years ago, said about his career. "To be in company with Recchs, having played with him, having watched him here (in Montreal), I know the type of career he had and how good he was, how consistent he was.

"Definitely a compliment to be in company with him."

Jake Guentzel also scored in regulation for the Penguins, who won their second straight after a four-game skid. Erik Karlsson had two assists and Alex Nedeljkovic finished with 39 saves.

"It's always fun once it starts going, guys on the bench are starting to panic a little bit and hoping for a goal so they don't get picked," Karlsson said. "But at the same time it's one of those things that guys get opportunities to take a penalty shot that otherwise they might have not, and Harks scored a goal for us."

David Savard, Jayden Struble and Sean Monahan scored for Montreal, which has lost eight of its past nine at home. Sam Montembeault had 27 saves.

Montreal's Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield and Pittsburgh's Kris Letang and Crosby scored on the first four attempts of the shootout. The next eight skaters couldn't convert until Monahan scored for the Canadiens and Lars Eller for the Penguins in the seventh round. Another nine skaters went before Harkins, who got only 4:24 of ice time, ended it.

"I don't know if he's taken a penalty shot before, let alone scored a goal," Karlsson said. "So it's a big moment for him."

It was the longest shootout in Penguins history, with the previous record being nine rounds, and also the longest in Canadiens history (previous was 10). The shootout was first implemented by the NHL in 2005-06.

Montreal failed to score after spending almost an entire 4-on-3 overtime power play in Pittsburgh's zone following Evgeni Malkin's tripping penalty.

Montreal built leads of 2-0 and 3-1 in the first period, before Pittsburgh scored twice in the second to tie the score.

"We had so many great moments," Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said. "And then we shoot ourselves in the foot."

With the Penguins on a power play, Guetzel got a pass from Crosby at the high slot and fired a shot past Montembeault to make it 3-2 at 5:36 of the middle period. It was Guentzel's 13th goal of the season.

Crosby got his second of the night to tie it nearly 5 minutes later with Pittsburgh's second power-play tally. Crosby got a pass in the high slot from Karlsson and scored past Montembeault for his 17th with just under 9 minutes left in the second. That pulled him into a tie with Recchi.

Savard, playing in just his seventh game of the season, got the Canadiens on the scoreboard at 6:24 of the first period with his first.

Struble made it 2-0 with 7:39 left in the opening period as he beat Nedelkjovic from the right side for his second.

Crosby got the Penguins on the scoreboard 1:27 later as he backhanded a loose puck during a scramble on the left side. It tied him with Coffey (1,531) for 14th place.

Crosby is tied for the league lead with 14 even-strength goals this season.

"I understand how hard you have to work to play at this level," Crosby said. "Each and every year I mean, the guys that are coming in are so skilled and so fast. It's not easy, so a lot of work goes into it."

The Canadiens retook a two-goal lead with a power-play goal with 4:40 left in the first. Mike Matheson's wrist shot from the post trickled through Nedeljkovic and landed on the goal line, where Monahan was on hand to tap it in.

ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Craig Berube's seat became too hot to handle this week, as the St. Louis Blues fired their longtime coach (with whom they won the Stanley Cup in 2019) on Tuesday night.

It wasn't something GM Doug Armstrong wanted to do. But at a time when trades are hard to make due to parity and the salary cap, it can be the easiest remedy for a team's ills -- especially since the general managers who build these underwhelming teams won't fire themselves.

Berube was the third coach dismissed this season -- joining Jay Woodcroft (fired by the Edmonton Oilers) and Dean Evason (Minnesota Wild) -- and he might not be the last.

Here's a temperature check on the NHL's coaching hot seats for all 32 teams. Contract information is courtesy of CapFriendly and NHL sources.

How the Red Wings built themselves back into a contender

Published in Hockey
Thursday, 14 December 2023 03:12

Patrick Kane had his pick of suitors in free agency this fall. And he wholly embraced the courting process.

It was intuition, then, that ultimately drove Kane's decision. Because of all the offers he received on where to play next, only one team had it all -- and couldn't be ignored.

Kane's gut told the tale: He was going to be a Detroit Red Wing.

"The thing about Detroit was, anytime I really thought about any other team, I would always kind of come back to Detroit," said Kane. "There's a lot of good situations for you out there and you go back and forth with [some of them] and what you want to do in your head. But I kind of knew [Detroit] was in my heart, knew it was where I wanted to be."

A year ago, that sentiment could have felt forced. But now? Consider Kane just one more member of the Red Wings' ever-increasing -- and increasingly star-studded -- bandwagon.

Detroit has been, after all, in a years-long period of transition. The Red Wings haven't been in the postseason since their record-setting run of 25 straight appearances came to an end in 2016. That bled into Detroit's current seven-year drought of playoff berths, a span that saw former head coach Jeff Blashill fired, a near-total overhaul of the club's roster and, recently at least, hope renewed that the Red Wings are finally getting somewhere.

It's clear Kane believes that's the case. But the three-time Stanley Cup champion was drawn to Detroit because of the groundwork laid before him -- by players who chose, before Kane did, to put their faith in the Red Wings rebuild.

Captain Dylan Larkin did that when he skipped unrestricted free agency altogether to sign an eight-year, $69.6 million contract extension last March. Alex DeBrincat did it when he inked a four-year, $31.5 million contract following a trade in July. J.T. Compher, fresh from a recent Cup-winning run of his own in Colorado, bet on Detroit in July too, agreeing to a five-year, $25.5 million pact.

And that's to say nothing of Detroit's rising young generation helmed by Lucas Raymond and Calder Trophy winner Moritz Seider, both unabashedly happy to have been drafted on board. Or even the team's renewed vigor under Blashill's successor behind the bench, Derek Lalonde.

Slowly but surely, general manager Steve Yzerman has curated his vision for the Red Wings' future. It's required patience, and pivots, and a commitment to the bigger picture.

Detroit now looks ready for a breakthrough -- and to break away from its painful past stretch outside the playoff picture.

It didn't take long for Kane to see Detroit's potential. Getting on the inside, though, was an experience all its own.

"I think [the organization] has exceeded expectations," Kane said on the eve of his Red Wings' debut on Dec. 7. "Just as far as how close the guys are in the room, how friendly everyone is, how dialed in they are with player personnel and taking care of each individual player. That's very impressive, something I didn't know about them. It's impressive; it's a good fit."


DEBRINCAT STIFLES A SHREWD grin when the topic of Kane comes up.

They'd previously spent five years as teammates in Chicago and found enormous success playing on the same line (including DeBrincat's career-best 41-goal campaign in 2021-22).

It's no wonder DeBrincat tried to sell Kane on the Red Wings by sharing the positives of joining their group. And Kane himself told reporters that while DeBrincat's presence in Detroit wasn't "the biggest reason" behind his choice, it was a "big one."

And if that now leads to more ice time recapturing the magic with Kane then all the better for DeBrincat.

"It's great he's here," DeBrincat said. "He'll add another element of offense for us. He's a superstar and he can really change things in the lineup. It's fun to have him and I think everyone's excited he chose to be here."

The rest of Detroit might say something similar about DeBrincat. The 25-year-old hit restricted free agency last summer after spending a season with the Ottawa Senators. DeBrincat was traded from Chicago to Ottawa in a blockbuster move at the 2022 NHL draft in Montreal, and while he was good for the Senators -- producing 27 goals and 66 points in 82 games -- DeBrincat quickly agreed to a four-year, $31.5 million contract once his rights were traded to the Red Wings.

That's how the forward raised 30 minutes outside Detroit in Farmington Hills wound up donning the local red and white. He'd trained with several of his now-teammates during summers. Plus, there was ample off-ice support in the area -- crucial for DeBrincat and wife Lyndsey with their growing young family (they welcomed son Archie in May 2022).

Following the turbulence of being traded, here was a chance for DeBrincat to settle down. There was no better team to align with than Detroit.

"I just feel pretty comfortable here," he said. "And honestly, it's just felt relatively easy, an easy transition, for me and that's felt so good. I feel like we've meshed together [as a group] pretty well right off the start. There are other new guys here too, so I feel like everyone came in and we got to know each other pretty quick and it's been fun so far."

Beyond mere geography, it was the Red Wings' depth that drew DeBrincat to sign long term, too. Yzerman's been meticulous in adding the right pieces for Detroit's gains, and that's begun spitting out dividends in a big way.

The Red Wings started this season on a remarkable heater offensively, leading the league in goals scored (40) through their first 10 games, with the power play operating at 32.4%.

It's been DeBrincat and Larkin leading the charge stats-wise up front, but the likes of Raymond, Compher and Seider have made invaluable contributions across the board, too. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, though. After Detroit opened the season 5-1-0, they slumped to a 3-5-3 stretch that included a pair of losses in Sweden during the NHL's Global Series Showcase.

The Red Wings used that international disappointment as fuel for a North American comeback. DeBrincat said the team "refocused" with a short break post-Swedish excursion and went on a 6-1-0 run to reestablish their place as a top Atlantic Division contender -- but their rivals had already been commenting on Detroit's resurgence.

"Give them credit -- they really stuck to their game plan, got pucks deep and made it hard for us to get out of our zone and limited our o-zone time," Boston's Linus Ullmark said after Detroit handed the Bruins their first loss of the season on Nov. 4. "Sometimes you've got to tip your hat."

More than once, it turned out. Boston lost just twice in regulation through their first 19 games, and both times it was against the Red Wings. Given Boston's stance as a perennial contender, the early success helped boost Detroit's profile.

"They come out hard and play a simple and effective game," Bruins' forward Jake DeBrusk said. "They can capitalize, and they control momentum swings really well."

Those victories stand out for the Red Wings as examples of their ultimate capability, and that's hanging with the league's top-tier squads. The road has been rocky at times but Detroit's latched onto a collective approach when weathering the ups and downs of a season.

"I think we have a lot of depth that can score up and down the lineup, so when we do the little things, we have a good chance to win," DeBrincat said. "And I think that's been our motto right now. We've got to play the right way to make good things happen. I think we have a good team; we have a good group of guys in the locker room, and I think we can definitely do something special."

DeBrincat drops the term "identity" then, and how playing to that will help define the Red Wings' road from here. But what exactly will that look like now with a quarter of the year already behind them?


THERE'S A COMMON REFRAIN in the Red Wings' room.

Overall, guys like being around each other. That speaks to Yzerman's attempt at not only targeting great skaters but high character ones, too.

For Seider, the quality of those personalities began standing out when Detroit decamped to Traverse City, Mich., for training camp instead of holding court in their usual digs.

"We just bonded really well," Seider said. "Having all the dads with no kids and no wives, it helps to just create a little chemistry there and we get to know each other on a little deeper level than if they would just be in the locker room and then head home after camp. That's obviously something that's helped and then we're just really comfortable with each other. We don't have any egos in here and it's just easy to talk to everyone whenever something comes up. Nobody's afraid to speak up and talk. So, I think that's pretty unique."

Seider is relatively unguarded himself, particularly when it comes to discussing his NHL trajectory so far. Drafted sixth overall in 2019, the defenseman put up seven goals and 50 points as a rookie in 2021-22 to secure a Calder Trophy win and further elevate expectations ahead of his sophomore season.

But Seider stumbled out of the gate in year two, producing fewer points and struggling to find a rhythm with partner Ben Chiarot. He recovered in the season's second half and ended up with comparable stats to that rookie campaign, but more importantly the now third-year pro learned valuable lessons to aid in his growth.

"I still think, looking back, I was a better hockey player in my second year than I was in the first," Seider said. "Even though maybe the numbers didn't show it, but you can just see it's a lot more than points to a single season. I can tune out a lot more now. I think the only person that puts pressure on me is myself. I don't really listen to the media. I don't really care to be honest. It's all about this locker room and myself and being comfortable in my role."

Raymond can relate to what Seider's gone through adjusting to the league. He was drafted fourth overall in 2020 and was in the Calder conversation with Seider thanks to his 57-point rookie season in 2021-22. Raymond's sophomore year was, like Seider's, less productive (45 points in 74 games) and forced Raymond to challenge himself in new ways before this season started.

"Developing physically was big," he said. "I think that's a part of what's changed for me. And mentally as well. I'm trying to mature on and off the ice and I feel a big difference in that area from this year compared to last year. My focus is on playing within my game every night and trusting that it will help the team win. I think it's just about doing the right things and playing at a high pace."

When it comes to relaxing off the ice, Raymond often turns to Larkin for company. The 21-year-old relishes time spent with his frequent linemate, partaking in "classic stuff" like going to dinners that fostered a strong alliance between them.

"There's a lot of things [I admire] about him," Raymond said. "The way he carries himself off the ice, he's a good friend of mine; he's helped me out a lot. And on the ice, obviously just watch the guy play. We have a good time together."

Raymond adds Larkin might even be underrated as a goal scorer given his abilities as a playmaking center. That elite level of execution is what DeBrincat believes makes Larkin so potent, and such a desirable linemate. It's also what's made losing Larkin from the lineup following a cross-check from Ottawa's Mathieu Joseph last week all the more difficult for Detroit.

"His game has got a lot of different layers to it," DeBrincat said. "I think he's got that speed, but he's also smart on the ice. He sees the ice so well and can find his teammates and I think that's maybe something that you don't necessarily see all the time when you're on the other team but playing with him every day, it's been great. He's very easy to play with. He creates so much space for his linemates by being so fast up the middle. He has a lot of skill with the puck as well. So, it's been fun."


IF THERE'S SOMETHING rather Zen about the Red Wings this season, it's probably coming from Derek Lalonde.

The first-time NHL head coach was hired by Yzerman before the 2022-23 season to reinvigorate the team after Blashill's seven-year stint finished with six consecutive missed playoff appearances. Lalonde didn't manage to get Detroit back in the postseason immediately, but he has planted the seeds to help the Red Wings get there now.

"He's been great," DeBrincat said. "He's really calm behind the bench and keeps that calm, that quiet, confident attitude, throughout the team and throughout the game. We've had a couple of third period comebacks [this season] and I think that starts with him not panicking and being that calm presence for us. He definitely preaches work ethic and just doing the little things and knowing that will allow us to win games."

The messaging appears to have sunk in. Detroit's lapses haven't snowballed under Lalonde's watch this time. Past the quarter mark of the regular season, that's landed Detroit firmly in playoff position.

It's a good start, to be sure. But Lalonde's also clearly excited about what more Detroit can give, especially after Kane gets up to speed. The mix of young talent with NHL experience in the Red Wings' ranks delights him, and Lalonde wants to make the most of its potential.

"I like new faces; there's an energy to it," he said. "[Other teams] within our division have drafted longer and higher than us and done a really good job with that, and we've had to build a little bit from the outside. I think Steve [Yzerman's] done a really good job with that. He's got the right pieces. Some guys are maybe within their career, [they're] hungry, and trying to help us build something. I'm excited; I like getting faces and new personalities in the room."

If the combination is right then the Red Wings can keep rising -- and, to Lalonde's eye, perhaps prove a few critics wrong in the process.

"We're ecstatic [with where we're at]," he said. "I don't think many people saw us being in this position at the beginning of the year, which is understandable. But it's just the quarter mark, and we got there through doing some things the right way. And we'll have to continue to do that."

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