Even though the Detroit Red Wings’ 23-man roster has mostly been set since they assembled for training camp, this exhibition season has been particularly useful for the team.]
Playing eight games, including three consecutive and four in five nights this past week, has exhausted some of the behind-the-scenes crew, but it has given the coaching staff and management a chance to assess how the prospects are progressing and who matches with whom.
“To get more looks at guys, more games for some of our young guys — I’m sure if you talk to many guys, eight feels long,” Derek Lalonde, our coach, said. “But it just feels really beneficial this year, getting those eight games.”
Preseason games may only be interpreted to a certain extent because starting lineups often favour the home side while away teams typically field lineups devoid of notable NHL players. Lalonde has stated that the Wings aim to “judge within ourselves,” which refers to their attention to whether players appear to comprehend concepts like structure and procedures.
The following are the top five lessons learned from the eight games:
Sprong’s influence
Daniel Sprong, who was signed to a $2 million per year deal by general manager Steve Yzerman, appears to have provided tremendous value. Sprong scored three goals, had one assist, and had a plus-five rating in his first three exhibition games. Even though it was only preseason, the Wings find it promising that he adjusted so fast. He appears prepared to improve upon the 46 points in 66 games he scored with the Seattle Kraken in 2022–23, a personal high; he’ll provide scoring punch to the bottom-six mix and second power play unit.
back end appears more robust
No one of the seven NHL defenseman the Wings brought into camp—Moritz Seider, Jake Walman, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Shayne Gostisbehere, Justin Holl, and Olli Määttä—separated themselves in a bad way, according to Lalonde on Friday. Seider and Walman were the only partnership that remained steady during the preseason, although Chiarot and Petry are expected to make up the second pair. Shayne Gostisbehere may be on the third pairing with Holl or Määttä as Lalonde has stated that he is the only defenseman they feel comfortable playing on his off hand.
When the Maple Leafs’ lineup was loaded with NHL players and the Wings’ roster was primarily made up of minor league players, Alex Lyon, who was ranked third on the depth chart, made 32 saves in the game in Toronto. He and James Reimer figure to be the goaltenders who will stabilise the situation behind Ville Husso (1.50 goals-against average,.930 save percentage in three preseason games). Being able to transport three goalies is a wonderful luxury for the Wings.
seems more strong towards the back
Moritz Seider, Jake Walman, Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, Shayne Gostisbehere, Justin Holl, and Olli Määttä were the seven NHL defensemen the Wings brought into camp, and according to Lalonde on Friday, none of them badly distanced themselves. The only pairing that remained constant during the preseason was Seider and Walman, while Chiarot and Petry are anticipated to make up the second pair. As Lalonde has mentioned that he is the only defenseman they feel comfortable playing on his off hand, Shayne Gostisbehere may be on the third pairing with Holl or Määttä.
Kasper, the eighth-overall pick in 2022, finished his five games with one point, an assist, and a minus-three rating. At times, like at the prospects tournament in Traverse City in September, he appeared disinterested. His most notable preseason incident occurred on September 30 when he sparred briefly with former Wing and Washington Capitals player Anthony Mantha. Kasper was immediately sent to the Grand Rapids Gryphons once the back-to-back-to-back run was done since he obviously needs some time to get used to the smaller ice sheet in North America.
