As the NHL and NHLPA prepare to “return to play” for the 2020-2021 season, the Free Press’s Helene St. James offers several Red Wings-related news items as they pertain to the team and front office’s activities of late…
The NHL and the NHL Players Association formally agreed Sunday to a 56-game season that will start Jan. 13 and conclude on May 8. The Wings, one of seven teams that were not part of the 2020 playoff bubble, can start training camp as early as New Year’s Eve — a day they traditionally play at home.
Most Wings players have been skating at the practice facility inside Little Caesars Arena since ice was put in the last weekend in November. Jeff Blashill and select members of his coaching staff have also returned to their offices at LCA after working from home.
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Starting training camp Dec. 31 would give the Wings two weeks to prepare for what will be their first game since March 10, when a loss the Hurricanes ensured a 17-49-5 finish to the 2019-20 season. There won’t be any exhibition games.
The Wings will be integrating several new players after general manager Steve Yzerman used the offseason to forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov, defensemen Marc Staal, Jon Merrill and Troy Stecher, and goaltender Thomas Greiss.
