The Detroit Red Wings won’t be losing Petr Mrazek to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, but they will be losing a young piece that was a big part of their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.
Vegas pick shines bright light on how many Red Wings underperformed (and were overpaid) last season https://t.co/8EUtVWaY8P via @freep
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) June 21, 2017
According to beat writer Helene St. James, the Golden Knights will be taking center Tomas Nosek in the expansion draft. He’s entering the second year of a two-year deal, and he’s set to make $650,000 this season.
Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin attested to Nosek’s abilities last May.
“He’s a guy that Jeff Blashill has a lot of trust and confidence in because he coached him in the AHL (in 2014-15) and saw how responsible he is,” he said after signing him to the contract. “His stat line isn’t dazzling, but the coaching staff has confidence in his ability to play defense and be on the right side of the puck. And he’s a good penalty killer.”
In 51 games for AHL Grand Rapids last season, the Czech Republic native scored 15 goals along with 26 assists for 41 points. He had a strong playoff, scoring 10 goals as he helped the Griffins win the Calder Cup for the second time since 2013.
He appeared in 11 games for the Red Wings last season, scoring one goal, no assists, and a minus-1 plus/minus rating.
Among the Red Wings players that they chose to expose for the expansion draft included Mrazek, Darren Helm, Riley Sheahan, Niklas Kronwall, Xavier Ouellet, and Luke Glendening.
