Before the puck even drops to kick off the Detroit Red Wings preseason, one player, Elmer Soderblom, will already make the decision-making process harder. But Soderblom's gonna make the 23-man squad unless he runs outta talent and a few fringe prospects show off some unforeseen skills.
But it doesn't mean there won't be guys projected to make the big club who will lay an egg in the preseason. Or, injuries could strike, letting someone else rise through the ranks and snag a spot.
The three players listed below have shown that they got the ability to play in the NHL, but haven't completely given us a reason to believe they're fully ready for the 82-game slate. But still, one epic preseason performance from them and a couple of marginal outings from others could pave the way for these longshots.
Amadeus Lombardi
When you're showing playmaker vibes, you're catching people's attention, and that's what Amadeus Lombardi brought to the Showcase a week and a half ago. It should've given him a launch pad, and one he can take into the preseason when he's slated to play.
But for this to work, Lombardi must outplay fringe forwards like Jonatan Berggren and Carter Mazur, showing everyone he deserves a spot in Hockeytown. But Lombardi's also competing against high draft picks, and guys are are surefire parts of the Red Wings future plans unless someone like him forces the organization to reshuffle its deck.
Even then, should Lombardi make the team, don't expect him to be more than a third or fourth liner. He'll slide into an energy role, or at least that'll be the case early on, while the heavy hitters do the playmaking. Still, it'll get his skate in the door.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Then, there's Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who's in the opposite position Lombardi finds himself in. Sandin-Pellikka's without a doubt a future NHL talent and, thanks to his playing style, could erupt into an NHL star before we know it.
But right now, I'd be shocked if he made the Detroit Red Wings lineup on opening night. And yeah, we can talk, talk, and talk some more about how he'd add another scoring dimension to the team and that could be the case early. But Sandin-Pellikka must get used to the North American game first.
Still, he's a talented player who can be a fast learner. And if he shows off that quick wit, his high hockey IQ, and contributes to the Wings scoring, he may shove someone ahead of him outta the way and don the Winged Wheel when Detroit opens up Year 100.
Sebastian Cossa
Probably the longest shot here, and someone who's destined for a full season in Grand Rapids unless injuries strike. But unfortunately for John Gibson and Cam Talbot, they've been injury prone in recent seasons, so we gotta talk about the possibility of seeing Cossa at least on the bench when the puck drops next month.
Still, I'd feel a heck of a lot better if Cossa came in, stole the show, and at least gave fans a reason to be fine with him kicking off the season in Detroit instead of Grand Rapids. But even if he looked as stellar as stellar could get? There's no way he's making this lineup with a healthy Talbot and Gibson. Not when he can get more reps in Grand Rapids.
That would be the best-case scenario regardless, since Cossa can use more seasoning before he makes the ultimate jump to the NHL. But keep an eye on how the top two netminders hold up, and we'll go from there.