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Welcome to the third edition of NHL Inbox - a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer. Thanks to the 80-plus people who've submitted questions thus far.

THROUGH GAMES OF THURSDAY, JAN. 30, 2025

Developing a prospect is difficult. First, a team needs to research and select the right player according to the qualifiers they decide to use. Then, they need to put together a plan for that player to become the best they can be.

Cam Talbot stopped nearly 30 shots in a shutout of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena.

Celebrini set up Mikael Granlund for a power play goal to make it 4-2, but Lucas Raymond shaved that ... Jonatan Berggren sent a cross-ice pass to Simon Edvinsson, who angled the puck on net ...

Lucas Raymond is the team's leading scorer ... lead to 3-0 early in the second period with a shorthanded goal after Simon Edvinsson blocked a shot. Montreal’s Kirby Dach responded at 5:29 ...

Is Steve Yzerman’s record as GM of the Detroit Red Wings spotless? Hardly. Has he made some questionable decisions with UFA contracts? Most certainly. Is the so-called Yzerplan a failure?

In 16 games since McLellan took over, the Red Wings are 11-4-1, riding a three-game win streak as they prepare to head to western Canada on Wednesday. It’s not unusual to see a midseason coaching change bring better results in the NHL, but now more than 30 days in, the Red Wings’ surge has lasted longer than a simple adrenaline rush.

McLellan has put his stamp on the Red Wings a month into his tenure. They’re playing faster. They’re scoring more. They’re outshooting opponents most nights because of better puck possession and a newfound shot mentality.

Observations on an excellent night for Cam Talbot, Detroit's painful path to a 2–0 victory, and another impressive night for youngsters Marco Kasper and Albert Johansson