DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills posted an article this evening which focuses on the Red Wings players’ takes regarding this year’s truncated exhibition season as part of an accelerated learning curve for everyone on the team.
Andrew Copp, Alex DeBrincat and Viktor Arvidsson weigh in as to how the team can incorporate 4 days’ worth of training camp and 1 week’s worth of 4 exhibition games into complete preparation for the 2026-2027 season:
“We have so much to worry about in terms of preparation for the season,” Andrew Copp said. “Each guy has so much to worry about in their own individual game. As a team, we have to worry about our collective team game, getting together, all sorts of things. So honestly, since the team’s come back and we’ve kind of gotten on the ice together and once you get into the rhythm, it’s been normal. We got to keep it that way… Now it’s just time to go play hockey.”
On the compressed exhibition slate, Copp believes going from eight games in past seasons to four “is kind of the sweet spot.”
“You come in, you get to work right away,” the 32-year-old forward said. “There’s no dilly-dallying around. There’s no extra stuff going on. We got to get right to the point and obviously, these preseason games will be huge to kind of get your feet under you and get your timing down then get right into it.”
However, not having a lot of time to ease into things could be a significant adjustment for the younger players. Alex DeBrincat sees that as an area where Detroit’s veterans can make a lasting impact.
“Obviously, coming in for some of the rookies and young guys is not an easy transition,” DeBrincat said. “Even second-, third-year guys it’s definitely not easy. Us older guys have to really help them and really give them confidence. I think that’s a big part of this League is confidence. If we can make this as open and safe of a space as we can, really get them to feel comfortable, I think we’ll have a lot of success here.”
DeBrincat told Mills that he’s not as concerned about signing a contract extension with the Red Wings this season as he is focused upon stepping up to prepare himself and his teammates for the 84-game marathon to come:
“But all that is kind of put to the side right now,” DeBrincat said. “I’m focused on the season and getting the new systems and all that stuff, and meeting the new guys, and just playing well. I want to get off to a strong start, and the rest will take care of itself, and we’ll see what happens.”
Mills found that Arvidsson, a 33-year-old newcomer who signed with Detroit as a free agent after playing with the Boston Bruins last season, is impressed with Detroit’s speed:
“We’re a fast team,” Arvidsson said. “Really fast. Skilled, fast. Everybody wants to get better every day and just bringing everything together, I think, is going to be the key to our success.”
