Among MLive’s Ansar Khan’s preseason observations:
After giving Lucas Raymond a good, long look on the top line, Lalonde said he still hasn’t settled on who’ll play on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat. If it’s not Raymond, it could be a heavier body like David Perron, who goes the dirty areas and would provide a net presence.
Michael Rasmussen picked up where he left off before suffering a season-ending knee injury on Feb. 25. He’s also a possibility to wind up with Larkin-DeBrincat but seems to have better chemistry with Andrew Copp.
The luxury of veteran depth on defense means the team can have Justin Holl, who signed a three-year, $10.2 million deal on July 1, as the seventh D, which appears to be the case at the start. Injuries are inevitable, however, so it’s a fluid situation.
Simon Edvinsson, the No. 6 pick in 2021, had a good preseason, but the handwriting was on the wall after the team brought in Holl, Shayne Gostisbehere and Jeff Petry. Expect Edvinsson to get an opportunity in Detroit at some point this season due to injuries.
