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Red Wings Preview: Welcome to the Preseason Opener

ByNate Brown|
Apr 17, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Adam Erne (73) skates with the puck around the goal of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Malcolm Subban (30) in the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Adam Erne (73) skates with the puck around the goal of Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Malcolm Subban (30) in the second period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Red Wings open up their preseason stretch with a road game against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at 8:30 EST. The Red Wings official twitter handle put the roster out earlier today:

The Athletic’s Scott Powers had the Hawks lines in practice:

A bunch of names stick out and probably the biggest of all is Donovan Sebrango, who gets the nod for the first game. Blash is going with seven defensemen tonight, and it seems fair to guess that Michael Rasmussen will get a chance to be the top line center for the evening. It will be a good start for the 22-year-old as I wrote earlier that he could very well have a breakout year this season.

Exhibition games are always fun to watch and see who might make some noise with more opportunity. Here’s a few names to watch:

  • Kirill Tyutyayev is one of the first that comes to mind. He’s been on the watch list for Wings fans prior to the prospect tournament and scoring two goals in the first game only built that anticipation up. He will start in Grand Rapids but he’s certainly one of Detroit’s many prospects to keep an eye on.
  • Taro Hirose and Mitchell Stephens certainly did some good things during the Red & White game. Could they continue that success during the preseason opener? Hirose should get a hard look before likely going back to Grand Rapids, but a competitive showing could keep him in the conversation in Detroit. Stephens netted two in the the aforementioned game and showed the speed throughout the game that had Yzerman targeting him in the first place.
  • Don’t miss Givani Smith or Bobby Ryan, either. Ryan is fighting for a spot on the roster as he’s on a PTO while Smith is fresh off of a two-year extension. Smith has always seemed to have that untapped potential that could make his a valuable asset down the road. He should be the benefactor of decent ice time tonight, too.

Obviously, the anticipation to see Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider is certainly high but it’ll be another day–likely tomorrow in front of the home fans, that the two will make their preseason debut.

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