Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses the fact that the Red Wings’ exhibition season starts on Wednesday, noting that the Wings have an assortment of young players who are attempting to earn a role either in Detroit or at least a spot in Grand Rapids:
Norwegian Michael Brandsegg-Nygard’s mastery over English idioms may be more challenging than learning what Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde wants out of him defensively.
“He still battles with the language barrier, which is real,” Lalonde said. “I think North American hockey is a little bit of an adjustment, a little more time and space is probably what he’s used to. I thought he did very well and improved as the camp went on (in Traverse City). He’ll get some preseason games here, which will be important.”
Even if the Red Wings send 2024 first-round pick Brandsegg-Nygard back to his Swedish team Skelleftea, their decision to bring him to training camp will have been a beneficial and educational experience.
After a practice Tuesday in Detroit, the Red Wings will start their preseason schedule Wednesday with a road game against the Chicago Blackhawks. They then play the Blackhawks Friday at Little Caesars Arena.
These preseason games are particularly important for Detroit’s top prospects, such as Marco Kasper, Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, Albert Johansson, Amadeus Lombardi, Brandsegg-Nygard, or even Elmer Soderblom. At 23, it seems like he needs a memorable showing over the next couple of weeks to get back to the NHL.
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The preseason game will also help Lalonde sort out what the team has with summer free agent signee Jakub Rychlovsky, who led the Czech League last season with 26 goals. Detroit also still has eight goalies in camp after Sunday’s cuts.
Continued; the exhibition season really is where jobs are won or lost.
