JON MERRILL

The St. Louis Blues cruised through the coldest outdoor game in NHL history to beat the host Minnesota Wild 6-4.

The Stanley Cup playoffs often are about getting on a roll at the right time and riding a hot goaltender. The Montreal Canadiens, though, shocked the hockey world by advancing to the Final for the 34th time in franchise history, seeking to add to their record total of 24 Stanley Cup championships. The Canadiens then swept perennially underachieving Winnipeg and eliminated Vegas in six games. Luke Richardson coached the Canadiens the final four games of the Vegas series after interim head coach Dominque Ducharme was required to quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test. If the Canadiens do the improbable and complete this stunning run, three former Red Wings will earn Cup rings -- including their general manager Marc Bergevin.

Carey Price made 26 saves to lead the Montreal Canadiens to 4-1 road victory over the Vegas Golden Knight, putting the Canadiens one win away from the Stanley Cup Final.

Jonathan Marchessault, Max Pacioretty and William Karlsson came through with timely goals for the Vegas Golden Knights in their 4-2 series win over Colorado.

Washington Capitals went all-in on Anthony Mantha by trading wingers Jakub Vrana and Richard Panik, a 2021 first- and a 2022 second-round pick to Detroit.

After acquiring three mid-round draft picks in separate moves over the weekend, will the Detroit Red Wings add more selections prior to today’s 3 p.m. NHL trade deadline? The Red Wings on Friday dealt defenseman Patrik Nemeth to Colorado for a 2022 fourth-round pick. The moves give the Red Wings 11 selections in this year’s draft, including three in the second round and two each in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Add Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill to the list of those who would prefer no games be scheduled on trade deadline day due to potential distractions and disruptions. “I personally, in a normal year, wouldn’t schedule games on deadline day,” Blashill said.

We’ll be watching for any other moves that could be made Monday.

Take it from Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, the Montreal Canadiens made a nice addition by acquiring defenseman Jon Merrill Sunday for a 2021 fifth-round pick. The University of Michigan product signed a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Red Wings in the offseason. Hopefully, they jump through that window of opportunity.”The Red Wings also received center prospect Hayden Verbeek in the trade. Verbeek (5-10, 182) is the nephew of Red Wings assistant general manager Pat Verbeek. More: Adam Erne displaying the hands Red Wings hoped to see

The Detroit Red Wings have traded defenseman Jon Merrill to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 5th-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and forward Hayden Verbeek.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jon Merrill is being targeted for a trade before Monday’s deadline, Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday on “Hockey Night in Canada.”

The Detroit Red Wings have experienced several bad defensive games this season, none worse than Tuesday’s 4-1 loss at Florida, in coach Jeff Blashill’s estimation. It means better puck management – giveaways led to all four Panthers goals on Tuesday. And it means winning more puck battles. “It all comes down to competitiveness, those 50-50 battles, those puck battles on the walls coming out of our zone and in the corners,” defenseman Jon Merrill said. “When the pucks pop out of our zone, they’re ready to come down your throat quickly.

The Detroit Red Wings have 17 selections in the next two drafts, but general manager Steve Yzerman wants more. Additional picks mean more chances to acquire future impact NHL players, which the Red Wings desperately need in the midst of a long and painful rebuild. The Red Wings have many players, including 11 on the NHL roster, slated to become UFAs this summer. Some would not draw interest, and the Red Wings would be hesitant to move others. There is little doubt the Red Wings will look to re-sign him, and the Grand Rapids native surely wants to stay.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 28: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his 400th career goal in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on February 28, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Kane scored his 400th career goal, Kevin Lankinen made a career-high 44 saves and the Chicago Blackhawks closed out a successful February with a 7-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night. Bouncing back nicely from a 5-3 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday night, the Blackhawks closed out a 9-3-1 February with their third win in four games. The Red Wings played without captain Dylan Larkin for the second straight game because of an upper-body injury. The Red Wings, who put 21 shots on net in the first, got one back when Gagner redirected Jon Merrill's shot past Lankinen with 2:09 to go.

AdThe Red Wings ended up losing their second straight to the Lightning, 3-1, on Friday. I think we’ll see the Red Wings win at least one of these. Friday night could have gotten out of hand against the Lightning, but Greiss gave the Red Wings a chance. The Red Wings bought out Abdelkader’s hefty contract in October. He was in the 5th year of a 7-year contract he signed with the Red Wings in 2015.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) watches his goal get past Detroit Red Wings goaltender Thomas Greiss (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)TAMPA, Fla. – Alex Killorn had a goal and an assist, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-1 on Wednesday for their third consecutive win. Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Anthony Cirelli and Brayden Point also scored for Tampa Bay, which remained unbeaten in five home games this season. The Lightning stretched their home win streak against the Red Wings to 15 dating to Dec. 12, 2013. Mantha scored on a breakaway at 9:49 before Killorn deflected a Mikhail Sergachev shot to make it 5-1 at 11:32. “I thought after the second period we didn’t really give them too much.’’MILESTONEDetroit captain Dylan Larkin appeared in his 400th game, all with the Red Wings.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 30: Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena on January 30, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Patric Hornqvist, Aaron Ekblad and Carter Verhaeghe scored and the Florida Panthers held off the Detroit Red Wings for a 3-2 win Sunday night. “Getting off to a good start enhances that attitude.”Greiss stopped 27 shots for the Red Wings, who have dropped six straight. The Panthers outshot the Red Wings 17-9 in the second period as they took control. The Red Wings play the Lighting on the road Wednesday night.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 30: Mathias Brome #86 of the Detroit Red Wings battles for the puck with MacKenzie Weegar #52 of the Florida Panthers in overtime at Little Caesars Arena on January 30, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Aleksi Heponiemi made the most of his NHL debut, scoring with 2:15 left in overtime to lift the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. Aleksander Barkov scored the Panthers' first of two goals on power plays 3:06 into the opening period, putting them ahead 1-0. Thomas Greiss stopped 23 shots for the Red Wings, extending his winless start with the team. AdIN CASE YOU MISSED ITFormer goaltender Jimmy Howard announced his retirement recently, writing in an Instagram post that he's looking forward to coaching his son's hockey team after a 14-year career with the Red Wings.

It might not feel like it, but a lot has happened in Red Wings world recently. The Red Wings are not looking for anything long-term in net. The Red Wings acquired Staal and a second-round draft pick from the New York Rangers for future considerations. I think Bertuzzi has been a consistently good player on a very consistently bad Red Wings team. I am always skeptical of every draft pick until we see him in the lineup, in a Red Wings sweater and playing well.

The Detroit Red Wings didn’t need to spend a lot of money on a high-priced free agent or get locked into a long-term deal to improve this off-season. The Red Wings were buried so deep in the NHL cellar last season they realize it will take some time to rebuild. Said Yzerman: “Bobby Ryan will help our power play, help us score goals five-on-five. We’re expecting Thomas Greiss to come in and help lower our goals-against average.”The Red Wings have roughly $18 million in cap space. It may be for one year or may be longer.”More: Red Wings bolster roster while maintaining flexibility

Jon Merrill could barely contain his enthusiasm Friday after becoming a Detroit Red Wing, fulfilling a lifelong dream. “It’s an honor to play for the Red Wings,” Merrill said. Tons of memories in a Red Wings jersey as a kid going to games. It’s just extremely exciting for me and my family.”The Red Wings signed the 28-year-old defenseman (6-3, 195) to a one-year, $925,000 contract Friday during the first day of free agency. “As a kid, as a pro hockey player even, I always told myself if the opportunity to play for the Red Wings ever came up, I would jump at it,” Merrill said.

The Detroit Red Wings filled a couple of needs Friday during the first day of free agency, signing right wing Bobby Ryan and defenseman Jon Merrill to one-year deals. Several signed with new teams on Friday, leaving Thomas Greiss as perhaps the Red Wings' best option. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said he still has work to do. The Red Wings also want to sign a right-shooting defenseman and perhaps another forward. More: How Bobby Ryan was convinced to sign with the Red Wings

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have signed former Michigan Wolverines defenseman Jon Merrill to a one-year contract. He was a standout at Michigan for three seasons between 2010 and 2013. NHL free agency opened at noon Friday. Detroit GM Steve Yzerman also signed right wing Bobby Ryan to a one-year deal. More: NHL free agency opens today: Follow Red Wings updates

The Detroit Red Wings signed former University of Michigan defenseman Jon Merrill Friday to a one-year contract for $925,000. Merrill, 28, spent the past three seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he was a plus player each year. A Oklahoma native, Merrill played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth. The Red Wings are reshaping their defense after parting ways with Jonathan Ericsson, Trevor Daley and Madison Bowey. More: Red Wings sign right wing Bobby Ryan for one year