Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that the Red Wings’ coach and players are very well aware of the fact that this year’s preseason is significantly truncated, down from 8 games played over the course of 2 weeks to 4 games played over the course of one week:
“By this time next week, we’re almost done — three exhibition games and only have one left,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “You don’t have time to wade.”
The Red Wings are at [Columbus Monday,] Pittsburgh Tuesday, and then are home Thursday at 7 p.m. to face the Buffalo Sabres Thursday. The preseason schedule is over Saturday with a game at LCA against the Blue Jackets.
The Red Wings may be too busy to be distracted by all that is happening around. The start of the new 84-game regular season is two weeks from today.
Players understand why this is happening. They know that it could be worse if they allow themselves to become distracted by the circus.
“It’s part of the business,” Red Wings player J.T. Compher said. “Unfortunately, when you don’t reach the goals that you set out for as a team, that’s what tends to happen. Teams maybe get broken up, players get moved, coaches, all the way to the top.”
Continued; coach McLellan was also asked about back-up goaltender Daniil Tarasov yesterday:
McLellan’s take on his new Russian netminder? “Our new goaltender came to Detroit real early. Embedded himself in Detroit, in the community, got his family here, so he’s comfortable with his surroundings. Our goalie coaches were able to sit and talk to him and look at his game. Very receptive to coaching, which is a nice thing. He’s had some really good years and then maybe other years that he’d like to have portions of them back. But we’re going to have to count on him. . .We are going to need both of them up and running.”
