MLive’s Ansar Khan has posted his morning column, and today, he asks five questions of the Red Wings as training camp is set to begin tomorrow morning:
Which rookies are best positioned to earn a job?
It’s entirely possible, if not probable, that no rookie makes the season-opening roster. Gritty winger Carter Mazur, who suffered a season-ending elbow injury in his NHL debut, has the best chance. But, like all waiver-exempt players, he’s not sticking around as the 13th forward, he’ll need to be part of the every-night lineup to earn a job. Other forwards eyeing a spot but likely needing more seasoning with the Grand Rapids Griffins include Amadeus Lombardi and first-round picks Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Heralded defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka is almost certain to start in Grand Rapids since there are eight NHL-experienced D-men on the roster and it typically takes a defenseman longer than a forward to be ready for the highest level.
Who is going to fill out the top six on the forward lines?
Pencil in five players for their top six – Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane and Marco Kasper. Who’ll join them? Chances are, Kasper will center the second line with DeBrincat and Kane. Possibilities to play right wing with Larkin and Raymond include young Jonatan Berggren and veteran van Riemsdyk. Berggren has untapped potential, but defensive issues have prevented him from establishing himself, and this season could be his last opportunity in Detroit. Van Riemsdyk would provide a net-front presence for Larkin and Raymond.
Continued (paywall); Khan also asks whether there’s room on the roster for more substantial changes, who might be partnered with Moritz Seider, and how the Wings’ bottom defensive pairing will shake out.
