The Detroit Red Wings continue adding injured players to an unprecedented list. As of today, three players are out long-term, and six players are questionable for the season opener on Friday, October 14th, at home against Montreal.
Headed to LTIR
To start the season, the depth of the Red Wings will be called into question. Forward Robby Fabbri (knee) is expected to be out until mid-January and will likely miss half the season. Defenseman Jake Walman (shoulder) is expected to be out until mid-November and will likely miss at least 15 games. Defenseman Mark Pysyk (Achilles) will also likely be out until mid-January and will likely miss half the season.
Questionable for the Opener
The Red Wings also have six questionable players for the season-opening game. Chase Pearson (personal) has missed all of training camp and will need some time in the minors to get back into game shape. Forwards Oskar Sundqvist and Tyler Bertuzzi have undisclosed injuries and may not be ready until past mid-October. Robert Hagg (head) was struck by a puck during the Red/White game and is currently questionable for the remainder of the preseason. Joe Veleno (lower body) was injured before the Red/White game and did not play. He may not be ready for opening night. Andrew Copp (abdomen) is recovering from off-season surgery and has not participated in training camp. He is expected to miss at least the first week of the season.
Current Lineup
Detroit’s depth will be tested with up to nine players possibly missing from the opening night lineup. With several new faces signed through free agency, and prospects pushing for jobs, the Red Wing’s opening night lineup will be very different compared to the lineup on the ice at the end of last season.
Here is a look at the current health of the Red Wings lineup.
Forward Lines
Jonatan Berggren-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond
Jakub Vrana-Michael Rasmussen-David Perron
Dominik Kubalik-Pius Suter-Filip Zadina
Adam Erne-Austin Czarnik-Givani Smith
Defense Pairings
Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider
Olli Maatta-Filip Hronek
Simon Edvinsson-Gustav Lindstrom
Goaltenders
Alex Nedeljkovic
Ville Husso
Extras
Jordan Oesterle
Steven Kampfer
Matt Luff
Injuries: Robby Fabbri (knee), Jake Walman (shoulder), Mark Pysyk (Achilles), Oskar Sundqvist (undisclosed), Robert Hagg (head), Joe Veleno (lower body), Tyler Bertuzzi (undisclosed), Andrew Copp (abdomen), Chase Pearson (personal)
Expected to Start in Grand Rapids
The injuries at the NHL level will impact the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). With up to nine players missing from the Detroit lineup to start the year, the Griffins are expected to start the season with a very young lineup.
Here is a look at the potential Grand Rapids lineup to start the season.
Forward Lines
Taro Hirose-Kyle Criscuolo-Joel L’Esperance
Elmer Soderblom-Drew Worrad-Cross Hanas
Kirill Tyutyayev-Pontus Andreasson-Dominic Shine
Trenton Bliss-Tyler Spezia-Cedric Lacroix
Defense Pairings
Jared McIsaac-Wyatt Newpower
Brian Lashoff-Seth Barton
Albert Johansson-Donovan Sebrango
Eemil Viro
Goaltenders
Jussi Olkinuora
Victor Brattstrom
Sebastian Cossa
John Lethemon
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