The Traverse City Record-Eagle’s Jake Atnip filed a notebook article discussing Justin Abdelkader’s decision to return to the team from paternity leave to get in the flow of training camp, the Wings’ goaltending situation and its player personnel flexibility:
The Red Wings have more open roster spots heading into the preseason than many years past.
The organization is looking toward young players and some veterans to lend some flexibility to their lineup and change some looks they will give in the early going.
Prospects like Filip Zadina, Michael Rasmussen and Dennis Cholowski figure into that equation and Blashill likes the idea of having players to change up the pace.
“I think the more players that are either really good or elite type players and are guys that you can trust, the more flexibility you have,” Blashill said. “You can look for mismatches the more players that are at your disposal. It creates a more competitive environment where lines are competing for ice time. We have set up the teams to give the young guys the opportunity in those first couple exhibition games to see how well they run the power plays and how well they execute.”
Blashill noted veterans Thomas Vanek, Tyler Bertuzzi and Abdelkader as players who can play both ways and create mismatches for the Red Wings
Ah yes. Vanek. The great two-way forward. lol
Also, love that he mentions Abdlekader. Braces me for another season of him in a top six role doing eff-all offensively OR physically.