JUST IN: Injury killed me but am revived, ready to go to work Wings faithful

Red Wings Prospect Gibson Ready to go to Work

While on the one hand enjoying his first experience being around the pro game, Detroit Red Wings defense prospect Andrew Gibson is also embracing the opportunity to go to work.

“In junior, a lot of the guys, we like to have fun,” said Gibson, who spent his season with the OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. “Play golf, relax, stuff like that.”

Signed to a contract by the Red Wings at season’s end, Gibson is learning how the upper half of hockey lives as an extra player with the Grand Rapids Griffins during the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

“In pro, it’s their job,” Gibson said. “Guys are fighting for your job and trying to take your spot.

“Learning from them, seeing what they do and seeing what I need to do for the rest of my life, it’s really good.”

Bittersweet Turnaround For Gibson

In a matter of hours last week, Gibson was living that old Wide World Of Sports axiom. He felt the agony of defeat when the Soo fell in the second round of the OHL playoffs in a Game 7 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.

“It was tough series that went to Game 7 and it didn’t go our way, which was unfortunate,” Gibson said. “I was mad.”

Not long after the letdown came the thrill of victory. Gibson was signing an entry-level pact with the Red Wings, who selected him 42nd overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

The Daily: Blackhawks Seek More Lottery Luck; Red Wings’ Odds

The seeds of the Chicago Blackhawks’ three most recent Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 and 2015) were sewn when the organization drafted Jonathan Toews at No. 3 in 2006 and Patrick Kane No. 1 overall in 2007.

Today, some Chicago fans are probably wondering if the Blackhawks have a chance to hold another garden party by adding Macklin Celebrini to Connor Bedard.

Odds are against that happening: the Blackhawks have a 13.5% chance of winning the No. 1 in tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery (6:30 p.m., ET,  ESPN).

But Chicago Hockey Now’s Nate Brown points in his NHL Draft Lottery story that’s two percent better odds than the organization had last season when it won the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.

The San Jose Sharks (18.5%) are the only team with better odds to earn the No. 1 pick. The Anaheim Ducks (11.5%) are the only other team with odds above 10 percent.

If the Blackhawks won the right to select Celebrini, they would have the foundation of a Stanley Cup contending team. Celebrini won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s best player. He scored 32 goals and added 32 assists in 38 games for Boston University. He’s playing for Canada at the upcoming Men’s World Championship in Czechia.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Moritz Seider won’t be playing for Germany at the World Championships. The Germans were unable to obtain the necessary insurance to protect him against catastrophic injury. Seider will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Prospect defenseman Andrew Gibson came to Grand Rapids at the end of his season to start working for next season. He is likely to return to the OHL next season.