Red Wings: Notebook

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Red Wings: Notebook
Camp gives Wings prospects taste of NHL
Smith, who plays college hockey for Wisconsin, typifies long-term hopefuls.
Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Brendan Smith could smile about it afterward in the locker room.

Smith, the Red Wings' 2007 first-round draft pick, collided full-force with forward Cory Emmerton during a drill Wednesday morning, which left more than a few Wings executives seated in the lower bowl holding their breath.

"He just didn't see me," said Smith, a sophomore defenseman at Wisconsin, who has the puck-moving ability the Wings love to see. "No big deal. Those things happen."

Especially with young players learning and grasping information daily from pro coaches, and maybe trying to impress someone watching in the stands.

But mainly, this six-day camp the Wings put on for their draft picks is to give them a glimpse of what to expect in the future.

"So when they come to training camp, they won't be as wide-eyed," said Jim Nill, the Wings' assistant general manager. "They'll be familiar with some of the coaches, they'll know some of the drills, they'll be more acclimated.

"But, long-term, we're showing them what it takes to be a professional. This is what you have to do. This is what it's going to take."

Goalie Thomas McCollum, the Wings' first-round pick last month, is absorbing as much information as he can.

"Just to be in this environment, it's pretty unbelievable," McCollum said. "I'm just trying to learn everything I can. We're doing all the things the Red Wings do. It's a great learning experience."

On ice, the camp is run by Jim Paek (Grand Rapids Griffins assistant coach), Jiri Fischer (Wings player development director), goaltending coach Jim Bedard and stickhandling coach Thomas Storm.

The workouts have been reminiscent of something Red Wings coach Mike Babcock would run during the regular season, with speed and intensity stressed.

"We're putting them through the paces," said Paek, who'll have several of the players on hand in Grand Rapids this season. "We're teaching them the importance of tempo."

A year ago, Smith was the wide-eyed draft pick who still couldn't believe he was a part of the Wings organization and skating on Joe Louis Arena ice.

This summer, Smith can be considered one of the veterans.

"You know what to expect, what drills we'll be doing, you feel a lot more comfortable," Smith said.

Smith went through a frustrating freshman season at Wisconsin, missing half the season because of a lower back injury.

Adjusting to Division I hockey, along with learning the hard-nosed style of Badgers coach Mike Eaves, also was an eye-opener.

Eaves is basically an NCAA version of Babcock.

If a player is lacking in intensity, "You'll get a kick in the butt," Smith said.

Smith and McCollum are both several years, at least, from possibly becoming NHL regulars.

But one of the beginning steps is this week.

Ice chips

Swedish goalie Daniel Larsson (2006, third round) was held out of practice when he became dehydrated.

Larsson, who'll play in Grand Rapids this season, is expected back on the ice today.

... He's not a draft pick, but one of the players working out this week is Chris Chelios ' son Dean Chelios , who'll play junior hockey this season.

"He's not like his dad. He's pretty quiet," Paek said.

... The NHL schedule is expected to be released Wednesday.

You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfan@detnews.com