The Free Press’s Helene St. James and Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan both wrote articles which focus on the fact that Jakub Vrana needs to see a specialist after tweaking his shoulder during yesterday’s practice, per coach Jeff Blashill.
As I’ve already informed you of that fact, however, I think that the following from St. James might be more interesting…
With Vrana unavailable, 2020 top pick Lucas Raymond played in his spot Sunday, on a line with Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri.
“He made some really good plays,” Suter said of Raymond. “He finds the spot to pass. He can shoot the puck. He looks comfortable. He looks confident.”
In other injury updates, Blashill said Dylan Larkin won’t be available when exhibition season begins. Larkin has not yet been cleared for full contact, dating to the neck injury he suffered in April.
If Vrana is out for any length of time, it could be an opening for Bobby Ryan to earn a contract. He’s in camp on a tryout, but the team knows what he can do from last season, when Ryan, 34, posted seven goals and seven assists in 33 games.
And the Detroit News’s Kulfan’s notes include the following regarding Joe Veleno…
It was assumed that if Joe Veleno is going to make the Wings’ opening night lineup, it would likely be at center. But Blashill isn’t ruling out the possibility of Veleno playing wing.
“Obviously there are unforeseen things like injuries,” Blashill said. “Let’s see where it goes. The biggest thing is he has to make a statement every time he’s on the ice that he’s going to make us better.
“If (Veleno) is a much better player than some of the guys we foresee in those spots, and if we can find a spot in the top nine, then it’s a discussion.”
As well as a bit about Ryan’s try-out:
“Bobby is skating good,” Blashill said. “There’s always a path (to make the team). If you play great hockey, there’s always a path, so we’ll see. I certainly think there could be a path. He’s moving similar to how he was moving at the beginning of last season. There hasn’t been any drop off. He started last year and was able to have success.”
