The Detroit Red Wings will open their preseason tonight in Pittsburgh. Game time at PPG Paints Arena is 7:00 pm ET. The Red Wings lineup will include four regulars from last season.
Most of the top players will sit this game out but will likely play at home tomorrow night against Chicago. Regulars from last year that are expected to play tonight include forwards Filip Zadina and Michael Rasmussen, as well as defensemen Jordan Oesterle and Filip Hronek.
What top prospects are playing?
Jonatan Berggren is in the lineup tonight and is expected to fight for a spot in the opening night roster. After a terrific season where he set a Grand Rapids (AHL) record for points by a rookie, he should see plenty of ice time this evening.
Elmer Soderblom is also in the lineup tonight. Soderblom led all U21 SHL players in goals (21) and points (33) last year and is so good he could skip the AHL and play for Detroit this year. Soderblom had an exceptional Prospects Tournament.
Jared McIsaac will be looking to have a nice night while trying to impress the top Red Wings brass. McIsaac had an excellent rookie season in Grand Rapids (AHL) last year and should get a taste of regular season NHL action this year.
Eemil Viro is a steady defense prospect out of Finland. He will start the year in Grand Rapids (AHL), but after three seasons playing for TPS (Liiga), he is likely close to contributing at the NHL level. Viro doesn’t do anything flashy, and you might not notice him on the ice, but as a defenseman, that’s a good thing.
Top goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa will dress tonight. Cossa had an excellent Prospects Tournament when he played two half games and did not allow a goal. It has yet to be determined where Cossa will start his season.
Next Up
Chicago @ Detroit, Wednesday, September 28, 7:30 pm ET at LCA in Detroit, MI
