The Detroit Red Wings began tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins looking to close out their preseason on high notes: possessing a 3-and-3 record, a slimmed-down Red Wings roster views these final two games as “dress rehearsals” for the regular season, and while the results of the game may not count for anything, the team’s performances tonight and Saturday vs. Buffalo (3 PM EDT on MSG B) matter.

Thursday’s game wasn’t easy to judge given the caliber of the Penguins’ roster, which was clearly a “B Team”–and the Wings’ mental fatigue was a concern, despite playing 5 exhibition games in 6 nights–but Detroit out-lasted Pittsburgh, surrendering a 2-goal lead but ultimately winning a 4-2 decision.

Joe Veleno registered a goal and an assist, Pius Suter, Filip Hronek and Tyler Bertuzzi also scored (Bertuzzi’s goal was an empty-netter), and Thomas Greiss stopped 22 shots in a game where Moritz Seider played 21:18, taking 5 shots.

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff penned a subscriber-only article discussing 5 ways in which the Red Wings can make up for the goals that Jakub Vrana would have scored for them prior to his shoulder injury, which requires surgical repair. Among Duff’s suggestions are the following:

The answer that would’ve proven to be music to everyone’s ears would be Zadina saying that he expects to put away many more goals than the six he registered in 49 games last season.

The way that can happen is twofold. Firstly, Zadina needs to be using his teammates more effectively as an offensive weapon. Secondly, he must be more of a presence in the goal-scoring locales.

“Ultimately with Z, the two areas that we worked with him to be effective is to become more of a give-and-go player and then . . . the net front and slot,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said of Zadina. “When he’s been effective, if you look at it statistically over the years, that’s where he’s scored from. That’s where everybody scores from and that’s where he’s got the majority of his shots from.

When he’s not as effective, he’s on the outside too much. And you can’t get to that area a lot of times just by beating people yourself. You have to give and go. We’ve put an emphasis on that. Hopefully he can excel at that.”

Over 86 NHL games, Zadina is showing 15 goals. Even were he to get 15 this season, that would prove satisfying.

Continued (paywall)

Red Wings prospect Kienan Draper has chosen to return to the BCHL for one final season after skating in an up-and-down campaign for the USHL’s Omaha Lancers last year, and Draper suggests to the Vancouver Province’s Steve Ewen that he has “unfinished business” with his Chilliwack Chiefs:

Draper is committed to Miami University (Ohio) and slated to join their program next season. He’s opted to come back to play for the Chiefs and coach Brian Maloney for a final year of junior hockey.

The 18-team BCHL opens its regular season Friday with seven games, including the Chiefs visiting the Langley Rivermen.

“I feel like I have some unfinished business here,” the son of longtime Detroit Red Wings centre Kris Draper said. “With the coaching and facilities, and this being such a fantastic part of the country, I’m really happy to be back.

“Last year was a bit strange. You don’t see guys leave teams and leagues partway through seasons, but we’re hockey players and we wanted to play, and we found a way to get to play.”

Continued

NHL.com’s fantasy hockey staff made “bold predictions” for each and every one of the NHL’s 32 teams, and their prediction for one Moritz Seider’s rookie campaign is…well, bold:

Detroit Red Wings: Defenseman Moritz Seider will outscore teammate Filip Hronek and lead NHL rookie defensemen in goals with at least 10 and points with at least 35.

Continued;

The Hockey News’s Ryan Kennedy posted a list of the top 100 players to watch in NCAA Division I hockey this upcoming season, and three Red Wings prospects made his cut:

Shai Buium, D, Denver (DET): There’s tons of potential in Buium, the still-growing freshman with size, instincts and offense in his arsenal.

Red Savage, C, Miami (DET): Faceoff demon and shutdown specialist, Savage comes in to Miami as a freshman from the NTDP.

Carter Gylander, G, Colgate (DET): Big netminder seized the starter’s job as a freshman and acquitted himself well. Will be fun to see what he can do for the Raiders this year.

Continued

For your pregame viewing:

From TSN’s Chris Johnston:

Placed on NHL waivers today: Troy Grosenick (BOS), Brian Lashoff (DET), Ryan Murphy (DET), Andrew Hammond (MIN), Kyle Rau (MIN), A.J. Greer (NJ), Louis Domingue (PIT), Sam Anas (STL), Charlie Lindgren (STL), Calle Rosen (STL), Steven Santini (STL) and Nathan Walker (STL).

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 7, 2021

Of prospect-related note in Sweden on Thursday:

In the SHL, William Wallinder finished even in 5:43 of ice time as Rogle BK won 3-1 over Djurgarden;

And the Frolunda Trio helped Frolunda HC win 6-5 in OT over Farjestads BK.

For Frolunda, Simon Edvinsson finished with an assist, 2 shots on goal and a -1 in 21:31 of ice time:

Edvinsson after some time gets credited with an assist on Frölunda's 1st goal tonight that happened on the first shift of the game. Simon pokes the puck to Folin who sets up Friberg.#LGRW pic.twitter.com/iUGUxF7f89

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 7, 2021

Elmer Soderblom finished at -1 with 2 shots in 10:21 played;

Theodor Niederbach finished at -1 with 1 shot and a 28% faceoff win percentage in 11:01 played;

For Farjestad, Albert Johansson had an assist and finished at +2 in 15:38 played:

Albert Johansson joins an offensive rush and helps set up Färjestad's 4-4 goal #LGRW pic.twitter.com/C2KZxJh3Sg

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 7, 2021

Each and every one of the Red Wings’ beat writers filed notebook articles discussing Tyler Bertuzzi’s return to the Red Wings’ lineup this evening vs. Pittsburgh (7:30 PM EDT start on Bally Sports Detroit/NHL Network/97.1 FM):

1. The Free Press’s Helene St. James leads off our Bertuzzi round-up with the following:

Tyler Bertuzzi is one of the Detroit Red Wings’ most important players, and getting him back before the start of the season is important.

Bertuzzi was on the roster for Thursday night’s exhibition lineup, his first appearance since leaving Jan. 30 with a sore back. Bertuzzi tried for months to return to the lineup, but the pain never receded and he wound up undergoing back surgery in April. He was cleared to play in training camp, but didn’t make it onto the roster until the penultimate exhibition game.

“There’s going to be some frustration and a whole bunch of emotions going through my head, but I’m happy to be out there and take it game by game and eventually I’ll be back to where I was,” Bertuzzi said after Thursday’s morning skate.

Bertuzzi thrives on playing an abrasive style; he’s at his best buzzing around the opponent’s net and grinding foes into the boards. He already had five goals among seven points when he was lost for the season; that was just in seven games.

“Bert wins stick battles, Bert has the puck in the O-zone, has the puck around the net, is real smart defensively,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He just has to do what he does to get himself back into it.”

2. The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan continues the narrative…

One more press release from the Griffins this evening: the Griffins have announced their “Fan experience policies and protocols for the 2021-2022 season”:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In advance of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ season opener at Van Andel Arena next Friday, Oct. 15, the team on Thursday announced the policies and protocols that fans will experience during the 2021-22 campaign, with an emphasis on cleanliness and contact-free encounters.

Vaccinations / Masks
A proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID test is not required for admission to Griffins games. Masks are also not a requirement.

No-Bag Policy
Van Andel Arena has adopted a no-bag policy, reducing contact between guests and security staff by eliminating the need to search these items. This is part of ongoing efforts to promote a contact-free experience. Note that medical bags and small clutches no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ will be permitted, as will bags used for carrying skates into the arena during games featuring a post-game skate. Bags in the medical/essential category will be screened in a secondary screening area.

Mobile Ticketing
New for the 2021-22 season, the Griffins will deliver all tickets in a contactless, mobile format for display on smartphones and other electronic devices. Click here to read more on how to manage and use your mobile tickets.

Cashless Purchases
Cashless transactions are required for all box office, merchandise, and concession purchases. A mobile ordering system is available at the Ionia Street Grill (located on the east side of the concourse outside of Section 108/109) and the Ottawa Street Grill (located on the west side of the concourse outside of Section 121/122), allowing fans to order and pay for concessions with their mobile devices. When the order is ready for pick-up, the program will notify the customer and confirm the pick-up location. For more information on the new concession mobile ordering system, click here.

Arena Cleaning Procedures
Van Andel Arena has implemented increased air filtration including bipolar ionization equipment and has placed hand sanitizing stations throughout the venue. Rest assured that when you enter the venue you will experience the highest level of cleanliness and the best in customer service. VenueShield, a comprehensive and best-in-class environmental hygiene program, has been implemented at Van Andel Arena. For more information regarding VenueShield, click here.

Fans who have any questions or concerns are encouraged to email the Griffins at customerservice@griffinshockey.com.