Matt Luff Awaits Return for 98th Season Opener against New Jersey Devils…
As the Detroit Red Wings gear up for their 98th season, changes continue to shape their roster.
A recent Detroit Red Wings injury report brings focus to forward Matt Luff, who’s currently dealing with an upper-body injury.
Specifics regarding Luff’s injury are somewhat unclear, but it’s confirmed that he will be out of action for an unspecified period.
Luff’s Potential Role in Detroit
This lack of clarity can be frustrating for fans eager to see Luff return to the ice. During the 2022-2023 season, he appeared in 19 NHL games, contributing four points to the team’s performance. However, questions arise about the role he might play in Detroit once he’s ready to play again.
Luff, at 26 years of age, displayed his skills in the NHL last season, playing 19 games and adding four points to his name. His most recent noteworthy achievement was scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens on April 4, 2023. Before joining the Red Wings, he spent a season with the Nashville Predators and honed his skills during three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings.
Red Wings Injury Update: Carter Mazur
Luff isn’t the only player facing time on the injured list. Young talent Carter Mazur also finds himself sidelined due to injury. Alongside these changes, the team has made other adjustments, moving several players to the AHL and WHL tiers.
Looking Ahead to Detroit’s 98th Season
Despite these setbacks, the Red Wings maintain their focus on the upcoming season. Their 98th season in franchise history is set to commence on Thursday, Oct. 12, with a game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center. Fans are already gearing up for the 7:30 p.m. faceoff.
Closing Remarks
Injuries are an unfortunate aspect of sports, and they can significantly impact a team’s performance. Fans will anxiously await updates on Luff and Mazur’s recovery as the team prepares for their 98th season. Despite the challenges, the season opener against the New Jersey Devils promises an exciting start to what could be a memorable season for the franchise.
Five Players to Keep an Eye on After Red Wings Roster Cuts…
As the Detroit Red Wings conclude their roster cuts to finalize their 23-man squad for the opening night on October 12, several players have been either sent to the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL) or returned to their junior teams for the season. Here are five Red Wings prospects who did not make the final roster but deserve your attention this season.
- Forward Jonatan Berggren – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Jonatan Berggren, who had an impressive rookie season last year, surprised many by starting the season in Grand Rapids after a strong preseason performance with four points in five games. This move can be attributed to the off-season acquisitions in the forward group, offering Berggren more playing time. The key question is how he will respond to this challenge, potentially earning a call-up if injuries affect the Red Wings lineup.
- Goalie Sebastian Cossa – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) While it wasn’t expected for Sebastian Cossa to make the Red Wings roster this season, his development as a former first-round pick from the 2021 Draft is significant. In Grand Rapids, he’ll have a veteran mentor in Michael Hutchinson, providing a promising outlook for both Griffins and Red Wings fans. The hope is that Cossa will progress towards becoming the team’s future goaltender.
- Forward Nate Danielson – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) Nate Danielson, a 2023 first-round pick, turned heads with his well-rounded and surprisingly effective offensive game during the preseason. However, due to roster constraints, the Red Wings decided to send him back to the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings. After an impressive showing, he will return to the Wheat Kings for his third full junior hockey season, making him a player to watch in the WHL and for Red Wings fans.
- Defenseman Simon Edvinsson – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Simon Edvinsson, another prospect with a strong preseason, demonstrated his smooth skating and offensive skills. A logjam on the Red Wings’ blue line led to his placement in Grand Rapids. With consistent play and good health with the Griffins, he might force his way into the NHL roster later in the season.
- Defenseman William Wallinder – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) William Wallinder, a former second-round pick in the 2020 Draft, showcased his defensive prowess and offensive involvement during the preseason. As he embarks on his first full professional season in 2023-24, fans will closely monitor his development and adjustment to North American-style hockey after his previous season with Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
The 2023-24 season promises excitement and anticipation for fans as they keep an eye on these talented players. In addition to these prospects, the Red Wings have other young talents progressing through their pipeline, suggesting a bright future for the organization, both in Grand Rapids and beyond.
The combination of Larkin and DeBrincat on the Red Wings is still evolving and not yet a finalized partnership.
Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat have been a consistent duo for the Detroit Red Wings during training camp and the preseason.
The team is working on building chemistry between these top offensive players, but their top line is still a work in progress as they prepare for the season-opener against New Jersey.
Coach Derek Lalonde is giving David Perron the first chance to play alongside Larkin as the other winger. The goal is to have Larkin and DeBrincat spend less time in their own defensive zone. Lalonde acknowledges that their partnership is a work in progress, despite positive signs in their exhibition games.
Both Larkin and DeBrincat are dynamic players, but they’ve been lingering in their defensive zone too much, which Lalonde believes is due to their own doing. The coaching staff sees potential in their pairing and is keen to make it work, as they consider both players highly talented. However, they are still figuring out who should play on the wing with them.
Perron has been practicing on that line recently, taking over from Lucas Raymond, who spent most of training camp and the exhibition season there. Perron adds a different dimension to the line with his physical style of play and his presence in front of the net. Larkin speaks highly of Perron’s ability to win battles along the boards and make plays, especially when under pressure. Perron’s primary focus is to set up Larkin and get him the puck.
When Perron isn’t passing to Larkin, the plan is for both him and Larkin to create opportunities for DeBrincat, who is a right-shooter known for his one-timer from the left side of the ice.
The Red Wings have high hopes for DeBrincat to return to his 40-goal form from his days in Chicago and for Larkin to continue improving upon his career-high 79 points. However, they don’t want to sacrifice their defensive responsibilities.
Coach Lalonde points out that Larkin and DeBrincat can get overly focused on offense, but they will have some leeway because of their skillset. However, the team emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach. If the players stick to proper defensive habits, such as stopping and starting, being effective in their own zone, and making the most of their time in the offensive zone, it will contribute to their overall success.
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