Notebook: Gagner finds stability; Detroit prospects skate in Frozen Four

Sam Gagner knows firsthand how quickly things can change in the NHL.
Since he was selected sixth overall in the 2007 NHL Draft, Gagner has dressed for six different teams and been traded five times, most recently to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2020 trade deadline.

As he approaches the end of his 14th season in the NHL, Gagner said he appreciates the stability he has established in Detroit.
"You talk to any hockey player, we're all kind of creatures of habit," Gagner said. "We get into our routines and how we go about our business. It's hard moving around to different teams and going through that, so certainly I've really enjoyed my time here."

The Wings are also enjoying Gagner's presence. The 32-year-old has 12 goals and 16 assists in 71 games this season, boasting double-digit marks in both categories for the first time since 2017-18.
"He's added a lot of depth in scoring, which I think is important," Red Wings coach Blashill said. "I think it's important for him to lead by example, but I wouldn't necessarily just equate that to production. I think he could have four goals right now and I would still tell you he's still leading by example."

Gagner takes pride in being a leader on a young Red Wings team.
"I feel like I'm a big part of the room," Gagner said. "I wanna keep trying to help this team grow and ultimately reach our goals."

Red Wings prospects well represented at The 2022 Frozen Four

Detroit's rising young talent was well represented at the 2022 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four over the weekend, which saw Denver defeat Minnesota State, 5-1, on Saturday night at TD Garden to secure its ninth national championship.
Three Red Wings prospects - forward Carter Mazur, and defensemen Shai Buium and Antti Tuomisto - all played key roles for the Pioneers, who won their first national title since 2017.

Mazur, the 2021-22 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Rookie of the Year, finished the season with 14 goals and 24 assists in 41 games. The Jackson, Mich., native's +23 plus/minus rating finished tied for third on Denver.
Buium concluded the 2021-22 campaign with three goals and 15 assists in 39 games while Tuomisto (1-8-9) averaged 21 minutes of ice time per game across 35 games.

Edvinsson, Niederbach and Söderblom advance to SHL semifinals

Wings prospects Simon Edvinsson, Theodor Niederbach and Elmer Söderblom of Frölunda HC have secured their spot in the Swedish Hockey League Playoffs semifinals after a four-game sweep over the Växjö Lakers in the quarterfinals.
Through three playoff games, defenseman Simon Edvinsson currently has two assists and a +4 plus/minus rating. Edvinsson, Detroit's sixth overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, finished the season with two goals and 17 helpers in 44 games.
Niederbach recorded two assists and Söderblom had a pair of goals and two helpers in four playoff games against the Lakers.
Frölunda HC will face the winner of the quarterfinals series between Örebro and Luleå in the next round of the SHL Playoffs, which will begin on Friday.