Kulfan’s notebook: more from coach Lalonde on the Wings’ opening-night roster

The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan filed a Monday evening notebook article, focusing on the Red Wings’ decision to start the 2023-2024 regular season with a roster comprised of 12 forwards, 7 defensemen and 3 goaltenders–a total of 22 players, one less than the NHL’s 23-man roster limit:

“Right now we don’t need it,” [Red Wings coach Derek] Lalonde said. “Right now, obviously knowing that 13th (forward) could be an easy callup anywhere (from Grand Rapids) and with the seven NHL caliber defensemen, if we get that odd morning or afternoon sickness or something happens in warmups, we have no problem with 11 (forwards) and seven (defensemen). But those will be the 12 (forwards) and I’m not opposed to 11 and seven on Thursday, also (in the season opener in New Jersey). It’s what we are right now post (training) camp.”

Lalonde is comfortable using the 11-7 lineup as it normally gives a team’s best forwards more ice time, and as far as defensemen, you can mix and match and manage their minutes better, along with using a defensemen in specialized roles.

….

“It’s a luxury of having seven NHL defensemen, which we haven’t had and many teams haven’t had,” Lalonde said. “Some guys may have to sit (eventually) and I’ll communicate it as best as I can. If someone has to be held accountable because of play, that’ll be easy to do. It’s just the reality of it and it’s a good problem to have.”

The Wings sent forwards Jonatan Berggren, Elmer Soderblom and Zack Aston-Reese (signed Sunday) to Grand Rapids along with defenseman Simon Edvinsson, while sending forward Nate Danielson back to his junior team in Brandon (WHL). Lalonde feels too much emphasis can be put into an opening night roster these days in the NHL.

“In today’s NHL, with the salary cap, your team is 15 forwards and eight or nine defensemen,” said Lalonde, of juggling players because of injuries and cap restrictions. “That’s just the reality of those guys in GR rather than being here and sitting in the press box.”

Continued

DHN’s Allen: coach Lalonde discusses roster machinations, 3-goalie situation

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen took note of Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde’s comments regarding Detroit’s opening-night roster:

The Red Wings have three goalies, one extra defenseman, but no extra forwards. Lalonde said there is no contemplation of calling up an extra forward and he’s even considering going with 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Thursday.

“Don’t need (13th forward) right now,” Lalonde said. “Obviously, knowing that the 13th could be an easy call up anywhere. With the seven NHL-caliber D, if we get that odd morning sickness, afternoon thing, or something happens in warmups, we have no problem with 7-11.”

Lalonde announced that Ville Husso will be the starting goalie. But he said he’s not quite sure how he will utilize the three goalies or who the No. 2 goalie is.

“Not yet,” Lalonde said. “The first challenge is practice, which I don’t think is an issue. We had some experience with it last year, even our goaltending coach Alex Westlund’s had some experience with it. You see the position, before and after ice is so valuable in their development, so I don’t think reps and development is gonna be an issue for those guys. Ville will be in on Thursday. We still envision Ville as our No. 1 guy, getting the majority of the workload. But we had three and I think all three are very capable. It’s gonna be a day-by-day, game-by-game situation with the goalies.”

Continued; David Perron also spoke with Allen regarding the Wings’ desire to get going:

“I just can’t wait for the first game to get the real feel,” Red Wings forward David Perron said. “To have wins, to have losses, to go through these moments where you know they’re important. We’ve had extremely good practices, good habits in camp but you can’t really get anything out of it much. You’re trying to, but it’s tough.”

Tweet of note: Toledo Walleye begin training camp with 4 Griffins additions

Per the Toledo Blade’s Mark Monroe:

Post-practice Tweets: coach Lalonde discusses ‘Johnny Burgers,’ going with 7 defenseman and Husso’s workload

The Detroit Red Wings began preparations for Thursday’s season-opening game vs. the New Jersey Devils (7:30 PM EDT on ESPN+/Hulu) at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center this afternoon, skating with the lines they utilized over the course of the last two exhibition games for their “NHL lines.”

After practice, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde spoke with the media…

Continue reading Post-practice Tweets: coach Lalonde discusses ‘Johnny Burgers,’ going with 7 defenseman and Husso’s workload →

Roughly translated: Liam Dower Nilsson speaks with hockeysverige.se

Red Wings prospect and IF Bjorkloven forward Liam Dower Nilsson spoke with hockeysverige.se’s Simon Eld about his decision to hop down to the Allsvenskan to earn more playing time this season as he aims to earn an entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. What follows is roughly translated from Swedish:

Liam Dower Nilsson on his successful start with Bjorkloven: “I can play even better”

Liam Dower Nilsson’s move from Frolunda to Bjorkloven has begun with great success.

Six games and six goals mean that the 20-year-old leads the Hockey Allsvenskan’s scoring league, but he’s not completely satisfied.

“I feel I can play even better”; success on power play: “That’s why we find each other so well”; the key to success: “I have a lot to thank them for”

One, two, three, four, five, six. Pucks have been hit at a steady pace from Liam Dower Nilsson’s stick in the season opener.

The 20-year-old, who chose to break his contract with Frolunda in order to step down in the league system, has been quite successful, and now he leads the Hockey Allsvenksan’s goal-scoring. Nevertheless, he’s not completely satisfied with either his or Bjorkloven’s game.

“It’s been fun, but it’s early in the season, so it’s important to not be satisfied. It’s just a matter of continuing to strive for new goals. Now it’s only been power play goals so far, so I need to get some out there in five-on-five as well, but yes, it’s fun, of course,” says the 20-year-old when hockeysverige.se reaches him ahead of the away game against Tingsryd on Wednesday.

Continue reading Roughly translated: Liam Dower Nilsson speaks with hockeysverige.se →

Tweets of note: Grand Rapids Griffins begin their training camp

The Grand Rapids Griffins began their training camp ahead of Friday’s season-opener vs. the Colorado Eagles:

Tweets from Monday’s practice: Red Wings begin regular season preparation at the ‘BELFOR’

The Detroit Red Wings began their 2023-2024 regular season preparation at the BELFOR Training Center under Little Caesars Arena this afternoon:

A Red Wings blog