This morning, the Free Press’s Helene St. James attempts to predict what the Red Wings’ opening-night roster will look like, duly noting that the Wings will both experience some training camp injuries and that Robby Fabbri (knee) and Jake Walman (shoulder) won’t be available for the start of the regular season.
Here’s a sampling of her opening-night lineup:
First line: Tyler Bertuzzi-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond
They clicked right away last season, only to be broken up so Bertuzzi could spark another line. Larkin brings speed and sound defensive play, Bertuzzi has a knack for scoring around the net and Raymond has a flair for finding openings.
Top pair: Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider
Yzerman signed Chiarot for four years and $19 million. The 31-year-old has been a solid defender with the Winnipeg Jets, Canadiens and Florida Panthers, giving Seider the steady, durable partner he deserves. Seider should be even more fun to watch on a more talented team.
Goaltending: Alex Nedeljkovic and newcomer Ville Husso are both trying to establish they should be No. 1. Nedeljkovic played 59 games for the Wings last season, while Husso played 40 for the Blues. Neither has yet played 100 career games. If they play equally during exhibition, my guess is Nedeljkovic starts the opener — and since the Wings play the next night in New Jersey, Husso won’t have to wait long for his first start.
Continued (paywall), with St. James picking Simon Edvinsson and Mark Pysyk as her 3rd defensive pairing…
I think Berggren takes Zadinas’ spot.
Theres a few others that may push for a spot. Andreasson, Soderblom, Johansson. It should be an intense camp and preseason.