{"id":2239,"date":"2016-10-09T16:18:54","date_gmt":"2016-10-09T20:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=2239"},"modified":"2016-10-09T16:18:54","modified_gmt":"2016-10-09T20:18:54","slug":"2239","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/10\/09\/2239\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Red Wings Final Preseason Update"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <b>Detroit Red Wings<\/b> preseason is coming to a close and the club has had a busy couple of days. Prior to playing their final preseason game on Saturday night, a slew of roster moves were announced.<\/p>\n<h2>Bertuzzi, Hicketts Assigned To Grand Rapids<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"it\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RedWings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RedWings<\/a> assigned following to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/griffinshockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@griffinshockey<\/a> Fs Aubry, Bertuzzi, Criscuolo, Lorito, Svechnikov and Ds HIcketts, Paetsch and Russo.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AnsarKhanMLive\/status\/784826569936240641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 8, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>No surprises here. With the offseason acquisitions of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vanekth01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Thomas Vanek<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nielsfr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frans Nielsen<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/ottst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steve Ott<\/a><\/strong> to go along with youngsters <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/manthan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Mantha<\/a><\/b> and <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/athanan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andreas Athanasiou<\/a><\/b> knocking, there are simply no roster spots for two key hopefuls. 21-year old <b>Tyler Bertuzzi<\/b> had an intriguing preseason and will likely break through as a skilled bottom-six grinder in the next couple of years. He leads by example on the ice and is quite vocal off of it. <b>Evgeny Svechnikov<\/b> showed a lot of potential during Friday\u2019s preseason game against the Maple Leafs. His two goals led the team to victory, letting a ripper go from the top of the left circle and using his body to get to the net front cleaning up a rebound.<\/p>\n<p>On defense, little <b>Joe Hicketts<\/b> proved that he can perform in a big way by throwing his weight around and driving possession with speed to burn. At twenty years old, he has some developing to with the <b>Grand Rapids Griffins<\/b> before he gets a shot at the big club. Coming off a huge season in Grand Rapids where he scored 39 points, <b>Robbie Russo<\/b> will return to lead the team\u2019s defensemen. Surely, he\u2019ll be called upon as one of the team leaders if he can continue with his offensive production and responsible defensive play.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, goalie <b>Jared Coreau<\/b> was assigned to the Griffins this afternoon. The only way he was going to get called up was through a <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/howarja02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Howard<\/a><\/strong> trade. The goaltending tandem of <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mrazepe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Petr Mrazek<\/a> <\/b>and Howard\u00a0will at least start the season.<\/p>\n<h2>Jurco, Saarijarvi to IR<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RedWings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RedWings<\/a> announce they&#39;ve played Tomas Jurco (back), Tomas Nosek (knee), Vili Saarijarvi (wrist) and Dan Renouf (knee) on injured reserve.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AnsarKhanMLive\/status\/784870519434649600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 8, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Four players were placed on the injured reserve list prior to Saturday\u2019s game. These are not new, as the club is simply making the IR status of these players official in order to trim the roster down for the regular season.<\/p>\n<p>The most interesting injured player is <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/jurcoto01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tomas Jurco<\/a><\/b>, who will have to fight for a roster spot upon his return from a back injury. Jurco has bounced back and forth between Detroit and Grand Rapids over the last couple of seasons as he tries to find the offensive brilliance he showed spurts of playing for the Griffins. Unfortunately, Jurco\u2019s confidence is shot after being put in <strong>Mike Babcock<\/strong>\u2019s doghouse in 2014-15 and being scratched for ten games at a time last season. He\u2019s expected to return shortly after the start of the season.<\/p>\n<p><b>Vili Saarijarvi<\/b> underwent wrist surgery in August after injuring himself during an offseason prospect camp. Drafted in the third round of 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Saarijarvi has had a tough go with the <b>Flint Firebirds<\/b> as the team\u2019s off-ice drama reached an all-time high last season. Despite this, Saarijarvi\u2019s offensive production was impressive. He was traded from the Firebirds to the <b>Mississauga Steelheads<\/b>, where his development will pick up this season.<\/p>\n<h2>Frk, Callahan, Jensen to Waiver Wire<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RedWings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RedWings<\/a> placed Frk, Callahan, Tangradi, Jensen and Lashoff on waivers today. They have until noon Sunday to clear.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AnsarKhanMLive\/status\/784809723661082625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 8, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As expected, four of these five players cleared the waivers. <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/callami01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitch Callahan<\/a><\/b>, <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tangrer01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eric Tangradi<\/a><\/b>, <b>Nick Jensen<\/b>, and <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lashobr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian Lashoff<\/a><\/b> will all report to Grand Rapids. Callahan raised some eyebrows with his play early in the Red Wings preseason, but it wasn\u2019t enough for another team to take on with their choice of Ott as the team&#8217;s agitator.<\/p>\n<p>The <b>Carolina Hurricanes<\/b>, however, did find value in 23-year-old <b>Martin Frk<\/b> as they claimed him off the waiver wire. This is, put lightly, frustrating for Red Wings fans. Frk recorded 44 points in 67 games last season for the Griffins, including a professional-high 27 goals. He has a booming shot and would have been one of four right handed shots on the team&#8217;s forward group. Once again the team has lost a solid depth player for absolutely nothing. The mismanagement of this team\u2019s roster is beginning to really show itself. And it\u2019s only going to get worse as veteran players return from injury and more youngsters will be forced onto the waiver wire.<\/p>\n<h2>Red Wings Preseason Comes To A Close<\/h2>\n<p>After all of these moves, the Red Wings roster is currently sitting at 26\u00a0players. As the preseason comes to a close, they must have a 23-man roster set by Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>Head coach <b>Jeff Blashill<\/b> is going to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.freep.com\/story\/sports\/nhl\/red-wings\/2016\/10\/07\/detroit-red-wings-jeff-blashill\/91731310\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">start the season with eight defensemen.<\/a> If <b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kronwni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Niklas Kronwall<\/a><\/b>&#8216;s knee is not healed in time, he will be placed on the injured reserve. This means that the chances of one of Mantha or Athanasiou starting the season with the team is slim. Especially considering that Blashill didn\u2019t like their play Saturday night.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;I didn&#39;t think him or AA were good enough. They&#39;ve got to be better than that,&quot; Jeff Blashill on Anthony Mantha &amp; Andreas Athanasiou 2nite<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HeleneStJames\/status\/784939054102114304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 9, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Again, more frustration for Red Wings fans with statements like this. These young players were asked to step up and impress everyone during the Red Wings preseason, and offensively they did. Defensively they did not show up in the exhibition season finale, but the rest of their preseason play was noticeable. It may have to take an injury or slow start for these two to get back up.<\/p>\n<p>Blashill and co.\u2019s roster management skills will be put to the test this week as the regular season gets underway. The Red Wings begin their season with a trip to Florida. They play the <strong>Tampa Bay Lightning<\/strong> on Thursday, October 13 and the <strong>Florida Panthers<\/strong> on Saturday, October 15. Both games will be on FOX Sports Detroit.<\/p>\n<p>If you were Coach Blashill, what would your starting lineup be?<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/613261082\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/613261082?et=T_StnnOqRXNRoY6SP50ILQ&amp;viewMoreLink=off&amp;sig=Vs_vTU3606irwCveSYXuxEe26V9FpQF-p1lc8qui4wQ=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Detroit Red Wings preseason is coming to a close and the club has had a busy couple of days. Prior to playing their final preseason game on Saturday night, a slew of roster moves were announced. Bertuzzi, Hicketts Assigned To Grand Rapids #RedWings assigned following to @griffinshockey Fs Aubry, Bertuzzi, Criscuolo, Lorito, Svechnikov and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1667,"featured_media":2244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[678,573,95,681,100,37,680,677,38,96],"class_list":["post-2239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-redwings","tag-andreas-athanasiou","tag-anthony-mantha","tag-detroit-red-wings","tag-evgeny-svechnikov","tag-grand-rapids-griffins","tag-hockey","tag-joe-hicketts","tag-martin-frk","tag-nhl","tag-tomas-jurco"],"modified_by":"Griffin Schroeder (Associate Editor)","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1667"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2239\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}