The Free Press’s Helene St. James discusses the Red Wings’ unique preparations for tonight’s “split squad games” in a game-day notebook:
Derek Lalonde used his weekend well: Divvying up who would play where as the Detroit Red Wings face a rare situation Monday of playing two games at the same time in two different locations.
“Very unique,” Lalonde said Monday after the home-group’s morning skate at Little Caesars Arena. Patrick Kane will be among those who’ll play in that group against the Pittsburgh Penguins, in a game rescheduled from Saturday because the Penguins couldn’t fly. Another group will head to Buffalo to play the Sabres in a previously scheduled game.
“It actually works fine,” Lalonde said. “We get the two teams going. I don’t know if it’s ideal, six games in six days. It will be a little taxing on a couple guys who will do back-to-backs, or three-in-fours, but we’re pretty spread out, so it’s going to work. But we accomplished it where we beat them up so bad in practice, guys are begging for games. So it’s not that bad of a schedule coming up here.”
The Wings play again Tuesday in Pittsburgh, then Thursday at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday at home against the Ottawa Senators, and Saturday at Toronto.
Lalonde and his assistants will coach Monday in Detroit, while Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson and his staff are in Buffalo.
Continued (paywall); Lalonde also continued his train of thought while speaking with DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills:
“The guys got Saturday night and then Sunday off,” Lalonde said. “It flows actually fairly well.”
Patrick Kane, who will make his preseason debut against Pittsburgh on Monday, said split-squad exhibition matches aren’t unusual.
“I think you see teams do it, especially throughout preseason,” Kane said. “A little bit different of a day [on Saturday]. I’m sure the coaches are busy with having two teams and having another game tomorrow.”
Lalonde said goalie Cam Talbot will play the first two periods and netminder prospect Sebastian Cossa will play the third in Detroit, while goaltender Alex Lyon will play the first 40 minutes before goalie Jack Campbell takes over for the final 20 in Buffalo.
“I’ll watch [Monday’s road game] back,” Lalonde said. “We’re still building our camp, some structure. This will be unique, but good. I don’t mind the eight games because it gives us some time to work on some things and get a lot of guys looks.”
The group of players set to play at KeyBank Center will be under the guidance of Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson, and Lalonde said he believes Monday’s road clash will be a great development opportunity for everyone involved.
“Even our ECHL head coach Pat Mikesch will take the bench with Dan Watson there,” Lalonde said. “I think it’s unique experience, the video and goalie coaches, which is a lot of growth in itself.”
Here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan…
“Actually gives us an opportunity tonight to play a pretty heavy NHL lineup here where we can kind of get our process that you want to get,” Lalonde said. “Usually everyone takes that opportunity at the end of the camp. We may not be able to do that with six (games) in six (nights) Any opportunity we can get for a dry run, if you will. We were able to do that tonight.”
Patrick Kane will make his preseason debut in the home game. He didn’t have a training camp last year as he recovered from offseason hip resurfacing surgery before signing with the Red Wings on Nov. 28. He will skate on a line with Vladimir Tarasenko, centered by 2023 top pick Nate Danielson in place of veteran J.T. Compher.
“You want to give (Danielson) an opportunity,” Lalonde said. “It’s just a practice, but we had (top 2024 pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard) on the line with Patrick Kane the other day and he made some plays, found some space for him. Different opportunities, different looks, something we want to accomplish throughout camp and he’ll get an opportunity tonight with some pretty good players.”
Kane said of Danielson: “He’s got a lot of skill. Looks like he plays both ends of the rink really well, and very cerebral player, very smart, good with the puck, wants to make plays. So, excited to get the chance tonight.”
