DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills offers a final assessment of the importance of Sunday’s Red vs. White Game, which helped the Wings’ coaches and management assess systems play and structure going forward:
“Obviously we have a feel of some lines together, but I wasn’t really overly concerned with some line combinations or D pairings,” [Red Wings coach Derek] Lalonde said. “It was more about getting some 5-on-5 structure, something to teach off now, some video to work off. Same thing with our special teams, very valuable reps, and 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 is valuable. We’re always trying to get that introduced in our camp. Last year, we came up with this three-period structure and it was extremely valuable for us. We foresee it being the same this year.”
Lalonde feels the Red Wings are in a good place coming out of Training Camp.
“Probably more a credit of a lot of returners,” Lalonde said. “Our entire staff coming back, I was actually very happy with where we were introducing some of our structure. We’ll get a chance, a full practice on Tuesday, before getting into our exhibition [schedule] to touch on some of that structure and process again.”
Training Camp is an opportune time for returning players to strengthen their relationships and chemistry. It’s also a chance for offseason additions like Vladimir Tarasenko, who signed a two-year free-agent deal with Detroit in July, to mesh with the group.
“It was nice for me to spend a lot of time with the guys and get to know the guys better,” Tarasenko said. “Obviously we had a few pretty hard days, but it’s nice to get back to work again. Most importantly for me, get to know my teammates more. I feel way more comfortable now around them.”
Continued; aside from systems play in terms of 5-on-5, 4-on-4 and 3-on-3 play, as well as special teams practice, the Red vs. White Game is the “first blush” with which to make an impression upon the coaching staff and management. Its stakes aren’t as high as an exhibition game, but it still matters.
