4 things to watch for in the first preseason game for the Detroit Red Wings

For the upcoming preseason, there are several reasons to watch, including the battles among players fighting for their spot in the opening night lineup for the Detroit Red Wings. 

This 2024-25 preseason will be one of the best yet, as there are so many unknowns. These unknowns are the good kind, too, not the ones previously.

Like, who will center the second line? Will any goaltender try to stop the puck for the Detroit Red Wings? Why are there so many old farts taking up precious spots in the lineup?

Okay, the last question might still be unanswered, but it’s likely due to general manager Steve Yzerman’s love to be over-prepared for a season. He needs to know if two to three players require time away from the team (for any reason) and that we don’t have any question marks about who is the next in line at that position.

While I complain about some of these depth signings, I can respect the need for the coverage. I don’t agree that all that support is needed. Yet, I can respect the opinion that all warm bodies are needed.

Here is what I’m watching for in the first preseason game

Albert Johnasson

The cards are dealt, we know the game, and now it’s time to enjoy the show that is Albert Johansson.

I think he’s underrated and has been so throughout his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings. Since being drafted in 2019, Johansson has gone on to win the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) championship. He plays with confidence, a bit of a subtle nasty streak (kind of like former Detroit Red Wings and current Vancouver Canucks player Filip Hronek), and provides a stable two-way game.

Although he says he prefers a certain type of defense partner, I really can’t see a type of player Johansson wouldn’t pair well with, as he is versatile. He can play well with anyone, anytime, anywhere.  

It will be a fun ride watching fellow Detroit Red Wings fans and the coaching staff fall in love with Johansson's game. It's one of the easiest things to do.

Rekindling the magic

The Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, and Lucas Raymond line showed flashes of magic last season. 

Along the way, the fair dust dissipated.

Whether it was due to players going out of the lineup, the line not producing as we had hoped, or the other lines needing a kickstart, the formidable line lost its shine. 

It will be fun to see if they can find their magic once more and bring it throughout the season to the Detroit Red Wings. Here’s the expected lineup for the Detroit Red Wings tonight:

I find it very interesting, as well, that the Detroit Red Wings are sending their real top line into Chicago, Illinois, tonight. Usually, the road team lacks the punch to keep those players available for the home preseason games. However, the Detroit Red Wings are not holding back with its lineup. (Well they are, just not with their top line it seems.)

They should be fun to watch tonight.

F.U.N. Line

The fourth line is what I’m most excited to watch this evening. 

Emmitt Finnie is a spunky, fun player to watch who had a successful 2024 National Hockey League (NHL) Prospect Games stint in Traverse City, Michigan. 

Add Amadeus Lombardi and Carter Mazur to the mix, then forget about it. 

These three have skill, dekes, and wicked shots that will entertain Detroit Red Wings fans at all times in the game.

Could it really work line?

If the fourth line is the fun one, the third line for the Detroit Red Wings is an interesting one. 

It’s comprised of Elmer Söderblom, Marco Kasper, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård.

Honestly, if there weren’t so many overpaid veteran players in front of them, this realistically could be a decent third line for the Detroit Red Wings. 

Kasper works his bum off getting pucks, clearing his own zone, and erasing mistakes his linemates may cause—basically the dad of any line he plays on.

Then, there’s Söderblom, a fancy guy who loves making plays with the puck. He can make them in tight at the goal line but also has a surprising transition game when he carries the puck through the neutral zone and in the high-danger scoring areas. 

Brandsegg-Nygård brings the lethal shot. It’s as advertised. A wicked shot from nearly anywhere on the ice, Brandsegg-Nygård understands the variety of angles he can use to make his hard, accurate shot that much more effective. 

On paper, this line seems to have the makings of an effective and entertaining line. 

Who knows, maybe Brandsegg-Nygård has so much fun with Kasper and Söderblom that he decides to stay in North America, even if he doesn’t make the NHL right away.

What storylines are you most looking forward to tonight?