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Check out the Red Wings pre season schedule here.
The preseason is, typically, two completely separate teams. Early on, the “road team” is your 3rd/4th lines and Griffins squad. That lineup will face each team’s best. With the first road game being against Chicago, it could be brutal to watch. The Blackhawks handed Detroit some ugly losses last year. This time, the Rasmussen and Stephens lines will likely be the top 6, along with a smattering of PTO and Griffins players. They will face off against Dach, Kane, Debrincat and (if healthy) Toews. Newly Acquired Seth Jones will be on the blue line.
The hard part of the “away” games is that, in some ways, they are the most interesting from a “potential” point of view. The squad Detroit sends out will have on it players who are looking to grab a job. Lucas Raymond could well be on a line with Berggren and Veleno. Those are three players who are all anxious to move up in the organization. When Zadina grabbed a spot with the team, it didn’t pass Veleno unnoticed. (The press does their best to egg him on with that as well).
The other away games are at PIttsburgh, Columbus and Buffalo. In years past, I would expect 2 of those 3 to be a loss. Pittsburgh launching its top talent against the Griff-Wings could be tough. But, Columbus, it certainly feels like they are heading for a bit of a decline. For years, Tortorella got a lot out of that group. He’s moved on. Atkinson went to Philly and saw Voracek return to his roots. The aforementioned Jones is gone as well as Foligno and Savard. Detroit may finally be turning a corner as far as overall improvement. Buffalo, well, it’s difficult not to think that things could go well for Detroit’s B-team in that contest.
The home games will likely flex the top 6 to give the fans something to cheer about. With Buffalo being the first home opponent (in whatever form they show) that game should be somewhat of a red light special. We’re all looking to see a healthy Larkin and Bertuzzi as well as Pius Suter with Zadina (possibly). Depending on camp, could Raymond earn a shot on that line? The home games for the preseason are usually a chance to get fans excited and spending money while the other teams see if their depth or PTO players can break out under pressure.
The blue line is going to be an interesting look as well. Fans are over anxious to see Seider hit the ice. (Not just Detroit fans). Assuming he shares the ice with Leddy, Yzerman’s first ever pick for Detroit will be looking to continue his highlight reel. Big hits, strong passing, maybe even significant power play time. Lindstrom will be looking to establish himself and Stecher provides interesting right side depth. The blue line gets more exciting in each iteration.
Overall, my expectations are - win the home games in the pre season. In the case of Buffalo coming to town, try to look like the Harlem Globetrotters. On the road, the people looking for jobs are going to have to fight to keep things from getting out of hand (especially in Chicago and Pittsburgh). Those two could get ugly. I want to see if Raymond and Veleno can create space and opportunities (while fully expecting a loss). It will be interesting to see if any PTOs can make an impact. Yzerman did a pretty thorough trimming of the bottom three. Glendening, Helm, Filppula and Nielsen have all moved on. Gagner is the senior depth player now, and he can still create and push his linemates.
Let me know what you’re looking to see in pre season action. Will the away games in Chicago and Pitt be as rough as I’m expecting? Am I underestimating Columbus? What is Buffalo going to be looking to put on the ice? At the very least, in about a month we’ll be watching hockey games. That is something worth looking forward to.
Check out my previous posts:
Prospect to watch - Alex Cotton
recapping the 2020 draft
Fedorov jersey retirement puck seen online
Svechnikov signs AHL deal, PTO with Jets
Nielsen is being bought out
Seider vs Nedeljkovic for Wings rookie of the year?
The 2019 draft
Adam Erne’s new deal.
Take a look at part 2 of my series on Detroit’s drafts 2013-2018
I examined Detroit’s past drafts, from 2002 - 2012.
Svechnikov has been linked to the jets,
Carter Mazur’s “Coffee with Carley”
Vrana’s press conference
Vrana has a new three year deal with Detroit
Yesterday, I wrote about the gap between Detroit and Vrana.
Detroit still doesn’t have a top 6 right shot forward.
The second line continues to inch toward improving.
I have high (possibly too high) hopes for the top line this year.
The Griffins are worth the drive, at least I think so.
My third “looking forward” looked at Pius Suter.
My second “looking forward” focused on Alex Nedeljkovic.
My first “looking forward” talked about Moritz Seider.
Jakub Vrana and Adam Erne have filed for arbitration.
I posted “The Winged Wheel season 3, ep 1”
I posted Yzerman’s Zoom call
I posted Pius Suter’s Zoom call
I did a wrap up of the “Frenzy”.
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