The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan examines the pieces of what coach Todd McLellan is calling the Red Wings’ “roster puzzle,” with Kulfan noting that Detroit’s opening-night roster might not be the one that the Red Wings submit to the NHL as 23 players due on Monday at 5 PM:
“What I can tell you is Monday the roster will go out and you’ll see names that could change real quick,” coach Tod McLellan said after the 4-2 loss to Columbus on Saturday, Sept. 26, that ended the preseason. “There could be paper moves or moves made for waiver reasons or something is in the hopper somewhere else that you have to buy time. We don’t play until Friday, so we have four days until we play, so there could be some movement.”
As Kulfan suggests, the Wings’ puzzle on defense is the most pressing issue, with only Dylan Larkin’s health affecting the forward lineup:
Simon Edvinsson is an unsigned restricted free agent. Edvinsson has been taking part in practices and drills throughout the preseason, but hasn’t played any games. The Wings would have loved to have gotten Edvinsson into at least one game. But now he’ll skate right into the regular season without any lead-up.
Jacob Bernard-Docker (upper body) is hurt, but McLellan termed it as day-to-day. If Bernard-Docker isn’t ready, he could be placed on the injured list and create a roster spot.
Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, Justin Faulk and Albert Johansson are assured spots. Edvinsson will be another, once he’s signed.
The questions surround Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Anton Johansson and William Wallinder. Sandin-Pellikka and Johansson have been largely impressive most of this preseason, but the Wings will only keep one, or both, if they are assured of getting significant playing time. If not, they’ll get that experience in Grand Rapids.
Wallinder is out of minor-league options, and would be exposed on waivers. He could be snapped up by another team. Johansson and Sandin-Pellikka can still be sent to Grand Rapids without fear of waivers. Wallinder hasn’t been as impressive as the other two defensemen, but would the Wings take the chance of exposing Wallinder on waivers? Interesting question.
The Wings also claimed Andreas Englund on Saturday, Sept. 26, off waivers. Englund has a two-way contract, but Englund could be well suited to be an extra defenseman on the NHL level.
Kulfan continues at length (paywall)…
