The Detroit Red Wings have made some roster adjustments as the regular season approaches.
With less than a week left until the season opener, the team has placed eight players on waivers.
These players include Taro Hirose, Tim Gettinger, Austin Czarnik, Jared McIsaac, Wyatt Newpower, Nolan Stevens, John Lethemon, and Brogan Rafferty.
Taro Hirose, who has the most NHL experience among these players with 60 games played for the Red Wings, and Austin Czarnik, who played in 29 games last year, are notable among those waived.
Tim Gettinger is likely to join the Grand Rapids Griffins as he is not expected to be claimed, and the same goes for McIsaac, Rafferty, Stevens, Lethemon, and Newpower.
It’s important to note that being waived doesn’t necessarily mark the end of their careers; they have the opportunity to continue playing at the minor-league level if no other NHL teams claim them.
Furthermore, they may be called upon to fill in for the Red Wings in case of injuries to players on the final roster. In summary, the Red Wings are finalizing their roster as the regular season approaches.
Red Wings have close competition for lineup spots on defense….
The competition for defensive positions on the Detroit Red Wings’ lineup is extremely tight, making it challenging for coach Derek Lalonde to decide who to scratch for the season opener against New Jersey.
Despite having seven NHL-level defensemen, a luxury they haven’t had in a long time, none of them have performed poorly during camp.
Lalonde expressed that all seven defensemen have had impressive camps, showcasing their strengths, without anyone standing out negatively.
This lack of separation among the seven defensemen is a positive sign for the team, though the final decisions on the lineup will continue to evolve in the coming days.
The only definite defensive pairing seems to be Jake Walman and Moritz Seider, who displayed good chemistry in the latter part of the previous season.
Jeff Petry, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Olli Maatta, who were acquired or extended in the offseason, are strong contenders for three other spots in the lineup. This leaves Ben Chiarot and Justin Holl, both signed to three-year deals in July, competing for the last spot.
Despite the presence of top 2021 pick Simon Edvinsson on the team, it appears unlikely that he will make the season-opening roster.
Edvinsson is waiver-exempt and would benefit more from playing significant minutes in various situations in Grand Rapids rather than having a limited role or being an extra player in Detroit.
Lalonde mentioned that they are likely to carry seven defensemen, not eight, when the season starts. The team is also expected to start with 13 forwards, including Jonatan Berggren, who is waiver-exempt but needs regular playing time to avoid reassignment to the Griffins.
Nate Danielson, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft, has had an impressive camp and preseason, but he is expected to be sent back to his junior team, Brandon (WHL).
Michael Rasmussen practiced on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, replacing Lucas Raymond, who had been in that spot during camp and the preseason. Rasmussen’s ability to create opportunities for his linemates and drive play was a factor in this decision.
The article also provides information about the lines used in practice and the goaltender for the upcoming preseason game, as well as updates on roster changes and adjustments.
In summary, the Detroit Red Wings face intense competition for defensive positions in their lineup, with seven strong candidates vying for spots, making the final decisions challenging for the coaching staff.
SHL Defenseman Cites Nepotism in Case Of Red Wings Prospect Johansson…
The situation involving Detroit Red Wings prospect Anton Johansson in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) can be characterized not so much as a case of a father-son resemblance but rather as an instance where the father has helped pave the way for his son’s career advancement.
This perspective comes from a rival SHL player, veteran Swedish defenseman Jonas Junland, who was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2006 and is currently playing for Linkoping in the SHL.
Junland is suggesting that the primary reason Anton Johansson, who was drafted by the Red Wings in 2022, is now playing for Leksand in Sweden’s top league is because his father, Tjomme, holds the position of sports director at the club.
This situation has gained attention due to a recent five-game suspension for Leksand defenseman Anton Lindholm, which is expected to create more playing opportunities for the younger Johansson.
During an appearance on the Swedish show Hockey Thursday, Junland remarked, “Tjomme’s son will soon be playing 40 minutes per game, and he might not have a job in the SHL if his dad wasn’t the sports director.”
However, Anton Johansson’s father, Tjomme, dismisses any claims that their relationship has played a role in his son’s rise in the Swedish hockey ranks, leading to his recognition as a legitimate NHL prospect.
Tjomme Johansson responded to these allegations with a sense of humor, saying, “Haha… We are accustomed to various people having opinions and making assumptions about our children. Otherwise, I have no comments.”
Anton Johansson, has performed over my expectations this season by playing 21 SHL games and caps the regular season off with his first ever 🚨! Well done by thge 18year old right shot defenseman. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/rvMab624oG
— Lars Thorsell (@LarsThorsell) March 9, 2023
Anton Johansson, who is 19 years old, signed a multi-year contract with Leksand earlier in the year and is currently experiencing his first full season in the SHL. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “It almost feels a little surreal. I didn’t expect this when I came to Leksand. It’s great fun. I feel like I’m improving every day, and it’s really enjoyable to have the chance to train and play alongside experienced players.”
The Detroit Red Wings selected Anton Johansson as the 105th pick in the 2022 NHL entry draft, and he is also considered a contender to represent Sweden at the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship.
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