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Detroit Red Wings: Expectations for Every Player at Training Camp

By Chris Giles |
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 24: Dennis Cholowski #21 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal with Michael Rasmussen #27 and Richard Panik #24 while playing the Dallas Stars at Little Caesars Arena on April 24, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 24: Dennis Cholowski #21 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his first period goal with Michael Rasmussen #27 and Richard Panik #24 while playing the Dallas Stars at Little Caesars Arena on April 24, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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The Detroit Red Wings main training camp started with 35 forwards, 20 defensemen and seven goalies.  On Saturday, the Red Wings re-assigned five forwards, one defenseman and two goaltenders to their respective junior clubs.

Recent drafts picks Cross Hanas, Pasquale Zito, Oscar Plandowski, Jan Bednar and Sebastian Cossa were returned to junior.  Released from amateur tryouts and re-assigned to junior were Cameron Butler, Luke Toporowski and Cooper Walker.

The club now has 54 players remaining in camp including 30 forwards, 19 defensemen and five goaltenders.

Let’s break these 54 players into four groupings to determine where each player is expected to start the season.

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Bound for Detroit

FORWARDS (13)

  • Filip Zadina (RW/LW): Zadina will be 22 this November and the time is now to follow through and become the offensive force predicted when he was drafted.  The highly skilled winger is due for a breakout season.
  • Robby Fabbri (C/W): Fabbri has been a pleasant surprise since he was traded from St. Louis.  He becomes an UFA next summer and needs to have a big year if he wants to help out the Red Wings through the re-build.
  • Jakub Vrana (LW/RW): Vrana was the cornerstone of the trade for Anthony Mantha.  Vrana sustained a shoulder injury on Saturday.  When healthy, he is expected to lead the Red Wings offensively during his first full season in Detroit.
  • Mitchell Stephens (C): Stephens is a bottom-six center who will provide Detroit with depth.  Stephens, 24, was acquired from Tampa Bay for a 6th round selection in 2022.
  • Pius Suter (C/LW): The 25-year-old Suter also provides depth at center.  He should slot into a top-six role with the Red Wings as he enters his second season in the NHL.
  • Michael Rasmussen (C/LW): Rasmussen continues to improve and add youth to an already young lineup.  Rasmussen needs to add more offense to his game this year.
  • Carter Rowney (C/RW): Acquired from Anaheim, Rowney, 32, provides the Red Wings with a veteran presence on a youthful forward group.
  • Givani Smith (RW/LW): Smith, 23, should get his first chance at playing in Detroit full-time this year.  The former 2nd round selection in 2016 showed flashes of brilliance in a limited role last year.
  • Tyler Bertuzzi (LW/RW): Coming back from injury, Bertuzzi is expected to play an important role with the Red Wings, but will forfeit salary when the team plays nine games in Canada this year.
  • Dylan Larkin (C): Also coming back from injury, Larkin needs to come back strong this year or risk not being a part of the Red Wings re-build.  Larkin has two years remaining on his current contract before he can become an UFA.
  • Adam Erne (LW/RW): Erne, 26, was a nice surprise offensively last year. His 11 goals led the team and earned him a two-year contract extension to stay in Detroit.
  • Sam Gagner (C/RW): Gagner, 32,  continues to sign one-year deals in order to stay in Detroit.  He can play multiple positions and can play any situation in the lineup.
  • Vladislav Namestnikov (C/W): Namestnikov is in a make or break year with the Red Wings.  More was expected of Namestnikov during his first year in Detroit and he will become an UFA at the end of this season.

Defensemen (8)

  • Nick Leddy (LD): Leddy was brought in to mentor Moritz Seider.  The duo are expected to be the top pairing on a newly re-built blueline.  Leddy is an UFA after this season.
  • Filip Hronek (RD): The additions of Leddy and Seider will take some of the pressure off of Hronek.  Expect Hronek to continue to quarterback the power play.
  • Marc Staal (LD): Re-signed to a one year contract, Staal, 34, provides veteran leadership to a young defense core.
  • Gustav Lindstrom (RD): The almost 23-year-old Lindstrom will be given every opportunity to play a bottom pair role with Detroit.  He recently signed a two-year deal where his AHL salary is higher than his NHL deal.  He provides depth at the NHL level and will remain with the Red Wings to start the year.
  • Moritz Seider (RD): Expected to play top minutes as a rookie, Seider looks like the steal of the 2019 draft.
  • Danny DeKeyser (LD): Entering his final year before becoming an UFA, DeKeyser is now one year removed from major back surgery.  He should still be able to provide stability on defense for the Red Wings.
  • Troy Stecher (RD): Stecher, 27, also becomes an UFA next summer.  Another strong season should allow Stecher to secure another NHL contract to play a bottom-pair role in the NHL.
  • Jordan Oesterle (LD): Oesterle was signed to a cap-friendly two-year contract to move from Arizona and play for his hometown team in Detroit.  Oesterle, 29, adds depth on the left side.

GOALTENDERS (2)

  • Thomas Greiss: Greiss returns for his second season in Detroit.  He becomes an UFA next summer, and at 35, needs to have a big year if he wants to return to the NHL next year.
  • Alex Nedeljkovic: The Calder Trophy is within grasp again this year for newly acquired Nedeljkovic.  He will provide youth to the goaltending position after signing a two-year deal to play in Detroit.
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On the Bubble

FORWARDS (6)

  • Bobby Ryan (RW): A lack of roster spots may prohibit the Red Wings from signing Ryan after he was invited to training camp on a professional tryout.  Ryan needs to have an exceptional pre-season in order to have any chance of sticking with the Red Wings.
  • Joe Veleno (C): Veleno will soon be ready to make the Detroit roster full-time.  Out of camp, Veleno needs to play in the middle-six or risk going back to Grand Rapids for further seasoning. Next year, Veleno will be a full-time member of the Red Wings.
  • Lucas Raymond (RW): Raymond looked terrific for the Red Wings during the Prospect Tournament.  The shoulder injury to Jakub Vrana may open up a spot on the top line with Dylan Larkin.  Look for Raymond to make his jump to the Red Wings full-time by the trade deadline.
  • Jonatan Berggren (LW/RW):  At 21, and after an excellent season in the SHL, Berggren is close to making the jump to Detroit.  Due to a lack of roster spots to start the season, Berggren will likely start the year in Grand Rapids.  A fast start in the AHL should lead to Berggren being called up to the Red Wings at some point during his first season in North America.
  • Taro Hirose (LW/RW): Hirose recently signed a one year extension to stay in the Red Wings organization.  A strong training camp would go a long way into securing Hirose a roster spot in Detroit.  Hirose is close, so the pre-season will determine his status.
  • Chase Pearson (C/LW): Now 24, Pearson is almost ready to play in the NHL.  He played in all situations in the Prospect Tournament and was a leader for the Red Wings throughout the tournament.  Pearson is waiver exempt for one more year and should push for full-time duty by next year.

 DEFENSEMEN (1)

  • Adam Brubacher (LD): After four seasons in the NCAA, Brubacher played seven games for Manitoba (AHL) last year.  The 6’4 Brubacher is a free agent who may be offered a contract to play in the Red Wings organization.  He is not ready for the NHL, but Brubacher is an intriguing player who could supply depth at the AHL level.
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Grand Rapids (AHL)

FORWARDS (11)

  • Riley Barber (RW): Barber had an excellent year leading Grand Rapids in scoring last year.  At 27, this is Barber’s final year under contract with the Red Wings.  Another strong year in the AHL may provide Barber with one last chance to make it to the NHL full-time.
  • Kyle Criscuolo (C): Now 29, Criscuolo recently signed a two-year contract to stay in the Detroit organization.  He is a five-year veteran of the AHL and being a Harvard (NCAA) grad provides the necessary leadership needed for the young players in Grand Rapids.
  • Dominik Shine (RW): Shine is signed to a minor league contract to play in Grand Rapids this year.  At 28, Shine is a role player and depth forward at the AHL level.
  • Hayden Verbeek (C/LW): Verbeek played admirably for the Red Wings at the recent Prospects Tournament.  He is signed to an AHL contract for this season.
  • Turner Elson (C/LW): Elson is also signed to an AHL contract for this year.  At 29, Elson provides leadership and depth with the Griffins.
  • Jon Martin (RW): Martin is a veteran of 200 AHL Games.  He play in the DEL2 last year.  Now 26, Martin recently signed an AHL contract to play in Grand Rapids this year.
  • Dennis Yan (LW): Yan was originally drafted in the 3rd round by Tampa Bay.  At 24, Yan is a veteran of 149 AHL games and recently signed a one-year contract to play in Grand Rapids.
  • Tyler Spezia (LW): The Griffins re-signed Spezia to a one-year contract extension to play in the AHL this season.  At 28, Spezia is a role player at the AHL level.
  • Patrick Curry (C/LW): Curry was injured in his first game of the Prospects Tournament.  A former captain at Boston University (NCAA), Curry, 25, will enter his second season playing for Grand Rapids.
  • Kirill Tyutyayev (LW/C): At 21, Tyutyayev signed a one-year contract to play for Grand Rapids this year.  He showed off his offensive creativity during the Prospects Tournament.  A strong showing in Grand Rapids may earn Tyutyayev a NHL contract.
  • Luke Witkowski (RW/RD): Witkowski is a veteran leader who was brought into Grand Rapids to help mentor the young players.  At 31, Witkowski signed a two-year two-way contract to play wherever he is needed this season.

DEFENSEMEN (7)

  • Jared McIsaac (LD): McIsaac played in the Prospects Tournament and showed why he was originally a 2nd round selection in 2018.  He has been hampered by injuries for the last two seasons and is currently in concussion protocol following a vicious head check in the Prospects Tournament last week.
  • Dan Renouf (LD): Renouf is back in the Red Wings organization after playing one year in Charlotte (AHL) and two years in Colorado (AHL).  Last year, Renouf also played 18 games in the NHL with Colorado.  He signed a one-year two-way contract to play in the Detroit organization this year.
  • Brian Lashoff (LD): Lashoff enters his 13th season in the Detroit organization.  The captain of the Griffins last year returns on a one-year two-way contract.  He brings a veteran presence and leadership to the Grand Rapids blueline.
  • Donovan Sebrango (LD): Due to the ongoing pandemic, at 19, Sebrango played the entire season in Grand Rapids last year.  He looked very good playing in the Prospects Tournament last week and requires more seasoning before making a push for employment in the NHL.
  • Wyatt Newpower (RD): Newpower recently signed a two-year entry level deal to play in the Detroit organization.  At 23, Newpower is a leader on the ice and looked strong in the Prospects Tournament.  With additional seasoning, Newpower could move through the system and play in Detroit at some point this year.
  • Seth Barton (RD): The 22-year-old Barton recently signed his two-year entry level contract with the Red Wings.  After leaving UMass-Lowell (NCAA) last year, Barton played four games for the Griffins.  He should be a regular with the Griffins this year.
  • Ryan Murphy (RD): At 28, the former first round draft pick of Carolina was the Top Defenseman in the AHL last year.  He recently signed a one-year two-way contract so that he could make one more push to make it back to the NHL.  If he is unsuccessful in making Detroit, Murphy will be a mentor and leader on and off the ice in Grand Rapids.

GOALTENDERS (3)

  • Calvin Pickard: Pickard, 29, returns to the Red Wings organization on a one-year two-way contract.  In the event of injury, Pickard supplies the Red Wings with NHL experience as a reliable backup.  Pickard will be an excellent role model for Brattstrom and Fulcher.
  • Victor Brattstrom: Brattstrom, 24, brings three years of professional experience with him from Sweden/Finland.  He played one game in the recent Prospects Tournament for the Red Wings.  If he is outplayed by Fulcher, expect Brattstrom to be loaned back to a team in Europe.
  • Kaden Fulcher:  Fulcher has only played nine games over the last two years.  He will be given every opportunity to play in Grand Rapids this year.  At 23, time is running out for Fulcher to prove he belongs in the Detroit organization.  He will be a RFA at the end of the season.
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Back to Junior

Forwards (1)

  • T-Bone Codd (RW)-Camp Invitee: Cobb made enough of an impression at the Prospects Tournament to warrant a longer look in the main camp.  The 18-year old Codd went undrafted in his first draft year which was canceled due to the pandemic.  Codd will return to the OHL and play his second full season with Saginaw this year.

DEFENSEMEN (2)

  • Alex Cotton (RD): – 2020 4th round- #132: Cotton, 20, played exceptionally well for the Red Wings at the Prospect Tournament.  His offensive prowess from defense was on display and he can play the point on the power play.  The Red Wings can send Cotton back to Lethbridge (WHL) or they can sign him and he can play in either Grand Rapids (AHL) or Toldeo (ECHL).  Cotton must be signed by next summer or Detroit will lose his rights and he can become a free agent.
  • Mason Ward (RD)-Camp Invitee: Ward has gone through the draft twice without being selected.  At 6’5, Ward is an intriguing prospect who may earn a contract.  No matter what happens to his contract status, Ward will go back to the WHL and play for Brandon for a third season.

Final Thoughts

Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman has indicated that the club will carry 13 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders to start the season.

Injuries to players expected to make the opening night roster will alter which 23 players remain at the end of camp.

Jakub Vrana injured his shoulder 10 minutes into his first practice on Saturday.  Lucas Raymond and Jonatan Berggren were injured in the Prospects Tournament and are still not 100%.  Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi are still making progress from season-ending injuries in the spring.

The roster will remain fluid throughout the eight game exhibition schedule.  Team management, players and fans will have a better idea of the opening night roster the closer we get to opening night against Tampa Bay on Thursday October 14.

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