Red Wings 2021 Opening Night Roster Prediction 2.0

The main training camp of the Detroit Red Wings is underway and it appears that there are more bodies than roster spots.  Several players have been added to the training camp roster and will undoubtedly challenge for a spot on the opening night roster.

The Red Wings appear to be deeper, more skilled, and younger than previous seasons where the team missed the playoffs.  This team doesn’t appear to be playoff bound, but the team seems to be on the right path of improving towards the goal of challenging for a Stanley Cup.

Here is version 2.0 of the opening night roster for the Detroit Red Wings.

Centers

The center position has remained similar throughout most of the summer.  Dylan Larkin is poised to have a rebound year.  Red Wings fans look forward to watching sophomore Pius Suter in  a Detroit uniform.  Michael Rasmussen will most likely play center on the third line.  Mitchell Stephens will most likely center the fourth line.

The only way Joe Veleno makes the Red Wings is if Detroit moves Rasmussen to left wing, and I don’t see that happening to start the year.  Veleno needs to play important minutes and he didn’t show enough to garner that ice time during the Prospects Tournament.

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

Left Wingers

The left wing position remains the same as it has been for several months.  The Red Wings have signed all of their RFA’s so the left wingers appear to be set.

Tyler Bertuzzi returns on the top line after back surgery.  Robby Fabbri will play with his former Guelph teammate (Suter) on the second line.  Vladislav Namestnikov will play with Rasmussen on the third line.  Both Namestnikov and Rasmussen can play center or left wing so it’s nice to have versatility on this line.  After signing a two year extension, Adam Erne is set to start at either wing in the bottom six.  I have him on left wing on the fourth line to start the season.

Opening Night Left Wingers: Tyler Bertuzzi, Robby Fabbri, Vladislav Namestnikov & Adam Erne

Defensemen

This is the deepest defense core Detroit has had in many years.  Steve Yzerman has indicated that the Red Wings will carry eight defensemen to start the season.

The top defense pairing should be newly acquired Nick Leddy with rookie Moritz Seider.  The second pair should be veteran Danny DeKeyser playing with Filip Hronek.  The third pairing should be re-signed Marc Staal with Troy Stecher.

The signing of UFA Jordan Oesterle, who has played the last three seasons in Arizona, and the re-signing of RFA Gustav Lindstrom, solidifies the defense for the Red Wings.  Oesterle is signed to a one-way contract for the next two years.  He is a solid depth defenseman who will play numerous games for the Red Wings over the course of the year.

Lindstrom will turn 23 just after opening night and should be an extra defenseman with Oesterle to start the year.

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

Healthy Scratch: Jordan Oesterle and Gustav Lindstrom

Goalies

With the acquisition of Alex Nedeljkovic, the goalie position is set.  Nedeljkovic will share goaltending duties with returnee Thomas Greiss.  Both goalies will get their fair share of work in the Detroit goal throughout the season.

Calvin Pickard will play in Grand Rapids (AHL).  He will provide veteran leadership and is a solid #3 goalie in case of injury in Detroit.

Detroit has numerous other goalies under contract, but none of them are ready to see NHL action.  This group is led by 1st round draft pick Sebastian Cossa and Swedish born Victor Brattstrom who both played in the recent Prospects Tournament.  Kaden Fulcher will most likely share the goaltending duties with Pickard  and possibly Brattstrom in Grand Rapids.  The only other goalie under contract is Filip Larsson who is being loaned to HV71 (Allsvenskan) in Sweden this year.

Opening Night Goalies: Alex Nedeljkovic and Thomas Greiss

Opening Night Roster 2.0

Forwards (12)
Bertuzzi-Larkin-Vrana
Fabbri-Suter-Zadina
Namestnikov-Rasmussen-Gagner
Erne-Stephens-Rowney
Leddy-Seider
DeKeyser-Hronek
Staal-Stecher
Goalies (2)
Greiss
Nedeljkovic

Extras (3)

Oesterle

Lindstrom

Smith

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.

Top Prospects and NHL Veterans Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL)

Berggren

Raymond

Veleno

Hirose

Renouf

Murphy

Witkowski

Pickard

Final Thoughts

Injuries during the pre-season will determine the opening night roster for the Red Wings.  Prior to Opening Night, I will make updates as changes occur to the Red Wings roster.  The opening night roster and extras that I have predicted has seven new players added 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.