After a training camp where veterans and young talent alike fought for a chance to dawn the Winged Wheel, today, the Detroit Red Wings announced the official 23 man roster. Here we go…
Seider and Raymond
The names that have been repeated over and over by every Red Wings fan, scout, writer, expert, coach, guy at the bar that kind of knows hockey.. and teammates all preseason have been Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.
Lucas. Raymond. First round pick for the Wings in the 2020 NHL Draft (4th Overall). Early indications, as in absolutely everywhere I read, say he will be starting on the first line with Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi. What could be a higher nod of confidence? Speed, skill, the preseason has shown that he can skate in the NHL, and he is just 19 years old. With these 3, there should be plenty of lit lamps.
Moritz Seider. Big, tough and skilled defenseman. Another first round pick for the Wings, 2019 (4th Overall). Seider showed good chemistry playing the former Islander, Nick Leddy. Those two have to make a strong case for a first pairing. Looking forward to his first time Kronwall-ing someone in open ice.
Bobby Ryan
As the hours counted down closer to today’s 5pm deadline, roster announcements were met with anticipation and also sometimes heartbreak and disappointment.
The news started today that the Wings would be releasing Bobby Ryan from his PTO. Yes, Bobby Ryan gets his own section… He had a strong preseason, could easily be argued that he played well enough to earn a roster spot. One (me) would argue a bit more because he shares my birthday.. but I digress..
Vice President/General Manager/Person I wanted to be when I grew up.. (there’s still time) Steve Yzerman didn’t shut the door on Bobby Ryan coming back saying, “We will continue to evaluate whether there is an opportunity for Bobby in Detroit as the 2021-22 season begins.”
Strong Camp For Now Griffins.
The organization has depth. There were plenty of players that could’ve easily made the cut.
Including but not limited to:
Calvin Pickard, goaltender, started preseason game #1, and looked really good. He kept the Wings in the game, resulting in a 4-3 win over Chicago in a shootout.
Joe Veleno, forward and another first round draft pick (30th overall in 2018), was a favorite to make the starting roster. Looking at his preseason play, first opportunity, he should be called up to the team. That good.
Luke Witkowski. Defenseman. I like this guy’s game. He’s spent time in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning and with Detroit. And who doesn’t love a player born in Michigan (Holland), played at Western and is back in the hometeam organization!?
With the long, grueling season ahead and already looking at injuries, any one of these players could end up back with the big club.
The Current Roster.. (subject to change)
Forwards
11 Filip Zadina
14 Robby Fabbri
22 Mitchell Stephens
23 Lucas Raymond
24 Pius Suter
27 Michael Rasmussen
37 Carter Rowney
48 Givani Smith
58 Tyler Bertuzzi
71 Dylan Larkin
73 Adam Erne
89 Sam Gagner
92 Vladislav Namestnikov
Defensemen
2 Nick Leddy
17 Filip Hronek
18 Marc Staal
28 Gustav Lindstrom
53 Moritz Seider
65 Danny DeKeyser
70 Troy Stecher
82 Jordan Osterle
Goalies
29 Thomas Greiss
39 Alex Nedeljkovic
IR (Injured Reserve)
15 Jakub Vrana
The Morning Skate 