Some former Detroit Red Wings are having a significant impact in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Pickard, a former Red Wing, celebrates the win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 6 on Thursday. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)AP
The second round starts tonight when Toronto faces Florida. On Tuesday, Washington meets Carolina and Vegas plays Edmonton in Game 1 of their series. On Wednesday, Winnipeg and Dallas open their series.
Here are the ex-Red Wings still participating:
Eric Comrie, Winnipeg: He appeared in three games in relief of Connor Hellebuyck, who surprisingly struggled against the Blues (3.85 goals-against average, .830 save percentage). The Jets can only hope they don’t need to turn to Comrie (1.40 GAA, .923 save percentage in 43 minutes) against the Stars. He appeared in three games with the Red Wings in 2019-20 (0-2-0, 4.28, .864).
Shayne Gostisbehere, Carolina: The puck-moving defenseman and power-play specialist had a goal and three assists in five games against New Jersey. All three of his assists came on the power play. He’s registered only six shots for this high-volume shooting team. Gostisbehere registered 29 of his 56 points on the power play in his lone season with the Red Wings in 2023-24. They tried to re-sign him, but he inked a three-year team-friendly deal with the Hurricanes ($3.2 average annual value).
Vladislav Namestnikov, Winnipeg: He moved up to center the top line the past two games due to Mark Scheifele’s injury and scored a huge goal Sunday in Game 7 vs. St. Louis that cut the Jets’ deficit to 3-2 before they won 4-3 in double-overtime. Namestnikov has two goals and two assists in seven games. He appeared in 113 games with the Red Wings from 2020-22 before being traded to Dallas for a fourth-round pick.
Calvin Pickard, Edmonton: He might have saved the day for the Oilers, replacing Stuart Skinner after Game 2 vs. Los Angeles and winning four games in a row (2.93 GAA, .893 save percentage). The 33-year-old journeyman who’s played for six NHL and six AHL clubs, including three seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins, had a remarkable regular season, going 22-10-1 with 2.71 GAA and .900 save percentage. Pickard went 3-4-1 (4.04, .853) in 12 games with Detroit from 2019-2022.
Jake Walman, Edmonton: Playing on the second defense pairing with John Klingberg, Walman leads the Oilers with a plus-8 rating, which ranks second in the league. Acquired at the trade deadline from San Jose for a first-round pick (after the Red Wings needed to attach a second-round pick to trade him in June), Walman had one assist against the Kings. He’s playing on the second power-play unit and first penalty killing unit.
Former Red Wings who haven’t yet appeared in a game: Dylan McIlrath, Washington; Brendan Smith, Dallas; Troy Stetcher, Edmonton.
