Red Wings 2021 Opening Night Roster Prediction 1.0

Predicting an opening night roster at the beginning of August for the Detroit Red Wings is a bit of a gamble because so many things can transpire between now and opening night.  As the roster changes throughout the next two months, I will continue to update my predictions through development camp, and then the preseason.

After numerous trades and signings, the Detroit roster is starting to resemble a set roster for opening night.  Of course, General Manager Steve Yzerman has a way of changing things on the fly, but that’s the beauty of a cap era NHL.

Here is version 1.0 of the opening night roster for the Detroit Red Wings.

Centers

Once the strength of Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings teams, the center ice position was in desperate need of an overhaul.  Three of the four center spots seem to be set.  Dylan Larkin in joined by Pius Suter and Michael Rasmussen.  At this time, there will be a battle between newly acquired Mitchell Stephens and rookie Joe Veleno.

If everything is even, I give the edge to Stephens.  Veleno can go play important minutes in Grand Rapids (AHL).  Playing 17-20 minutes in the AHL will be better for Veleno’s development.  If he shows that he dominates at the AHL level, a decision can be made to bring Veleno up to Detroit.  If he stays in the NHL to start the season, Veleno will most likely play on the fourth line and only receive 8-10 minutes each night.

For now, Frans Nielsen remains with the Red Wings.  Yzerman must have felt that his cap hit wasn’t worth a buyout because of the enormous cap space Detroit has with the current roster.  If he remains in Detroit for the last season of his contract, Nielsen can be a role model for the young players, but he will be no more than an insurance policy in case anyone goes down with an injury.

Opening Night Centers: Dylan Larkin, Pius Suter, Michael Rasmussen & Mitchell Stephens

Right Wingers

Choosing the right wingers is a bit of a guessing game.  Jakub Vrana and Filip Zadina are easy selections.

Sam Gagner can fill in anywhere between center and right winger.  He can also kill penalties and can play on the second power play unit.

The fourth spot will depend on a number of factors.  I have Givani Smith on the team.  He can play on the fourth line or he can move up and play bigger minutes.

The longshot to make the team is Lucas Raymond.  The prize of the 2020 draft, Raymond will be making his North American debut this year and will most likely play top six minutes to start the year in Grand Rapids (AHL).

Opening Night Right Wingers: Jakub Vrana, Filip Zadina, Sam Gagner, & Givani Smith

Defensemen

Previously, Alex predicted the defense pairings.  I totally agreed with his predictions.  Detroit will have to decide if they are going to keep seven or eight defensemen on the active roster.  The opening night defensemen should be Nick Leddy, Marc Staal and Danny DeKeyser on the left side.  The right side should be Filip Hronek, Troy Stecher and rookie Moritz Seider.

The extras appear to be recently acquired Jordan Oesterle and holdover Gustav Lindstrom.  Oesterle will be the seventh defenseman to start the season.  Lindstrom might be better served playing regularly in Grand Rapids (AHL).

On the outside Detroit as insurance is veteran Ryan Murphy who won the Eddie Shore Award as Top Defenseman in the AHL last season.  Recently signed Dan Renouf also provides veteran depth in Grand Rapids.

Opening Night Defensemen: Nick Leddy, Marc Staal, Danny DeKeyser, Filip Hronek, Troy Stecher & Moritz Seider.

Healthy Scratch: Jordan Oesterle

Goalies

The goalie position is set for Detroit.  Veteran Thomas Greiss will share goaltending duties with recently acquired Alex Nedeljkovic.

After an unlucky start to the season, Greiss had a terrific second half and will be looked upon as a veteran presence in goal.

Rookie of the Year finalist Nedeljkovic will share goaltending duties with Greiss.  After the trade with Carolina landed Nedeljkovic, Detroit seems to have their #1 goalie of the near future.

Detroit re-signed Calvin Pickard to act as insurance for the top pair.  He will play in Grand Rapids (AHL) in case of injury to Greiss or Nedeljkovic.

Opening Night Roster 1.0

An opening night roster of 23 players will be announced on opening night.  The Red Wings will open the 2021/22 season on Thursday October 14th at home against two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay.

Here is a look at prediction 1.0 for the opening night roster:

Forwards (12)

Bertuzzi-Larkin-Vrana

Fabbri-Suter-Zadina

Namestnikov-Rasmussen-Gagner

Erne-Stephens-Smith

Defensemen (6)

Leddy-Seider

DeKeyser-Hronek

Staal-Stecher

Goalies (2)

Greiss

Nedeljkovic

Extras (3)

Nielsen

Oesterle

Hirose

Detroit will fill their AHL team with a blend of prospects and NHL veterans.  Most of the players on the list below will see time in Detroit throughout the season.

Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL)

Berggren

Raymond

Veleno

Renouf

Lindstrom

Murphy

Witkowski

Pickard

Final Thoughts

NHL rosters are continuously in a state of flux.  The Detroit Red Wings roster will change almost weekly throughout the year.  General Manager Steve Yzerman continues to put his stamp on this team.  What will he do next?  I will make updates as changes occur to the Red Wings roster.  The opening night roster and extras that I have predicted has six new players to the Red Wings organization.  This team will be more competitive than last year, but they are still at least 2-3 years away from being a playoff contender.