When it comes to defenseman Dan Renouf, the Detroit Red Wings are hoping that they are third-time lucky on two counts.
Renouf, who left Wednesday’s preseason game at Pittsburgh after being crashed hard into the boards by Penguins forward Scott Wilson, is the third college free-agent defenseman signed by the Wings in recent years, following on the heels of Danny DeKeyser and Robbie Russo, both of whom have proven to be wise additions. He’s also the third player they added to the fold from the Maine Black Bears, and the other two – goalie Jimmy Howard and forward Gustav Nyquist – have proven to be pretty solid Red Wings.
“When I was figuring out where I was going to go and sign, Nyquist texted me and I thought that was cool,… Renouf said. “The pipeline was there so that was a big reason why I signed, the success he’s had and his smooth transition from college.…
It wasn’t his only reason for selecting Detroit, though.
“I definitely got a look at depth charts and all that stuff, but also you need to listen to what they’re saying and how they feel about you as a player,… Renouf said. “I thought they liked me and my style of game.
“They knew who I was kind of as a player so I thought it was definitely a good situation to be part of. It just seemed like a big family here and I wanted to be part of it for sure.…
What’s attractive about Renouf, 22, as a player is he appears to already have a good handle not only on what works for him but also on what he needs to work on in order to make that next step as a pro.
At 6-2 and 205 pounds, he’s a big physical specimen and physicality is a big part of his game.
“I’d say I’m a two-way defenseman but I definitely pride myself on my defensive game and playing gritty,… Renouf said. “I think that’s what they see in me. They want me to be tough, they want me to be aggressive, throw my weight around.
“I think my size and my mobility is kind of my biggest asset, so I’m going to use that. From Detroit’s systems, they like defensemen who can move the puck. I can do that and I can jump up in the rush.…
Playing a hard-nosed style and keeping it simple with the puck are what the Wings want to see from Renouf.
“The biggest thing is figuring out what you do better than other people and it’s hard to be flashy, you’ve got to be the best of the best to be flashy,… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “You’re not going to out-flash Mike Green or guys like that in the league.
“I think a guy like Renouf, if he can learn to be tough, be physical and keep it simple, this league needs those types of defensemen. Everybody forechecks so hard that you start making too many cute plays and you turn them over, you’re in your end the whole time.
“Sometimes you’ve got to keep pounding it off the wall and making plays on the wall.…
Renouf got a taste of life as a pro late last season, collecting an assist in six games with AHL Grand Rapids, where he figures to start this season and continuing his learning curve.
“It’s just men here,… Renouf said of pro hockey. “There’s no boys. In college you have the freshmen coming in, the 18, 19 year olds. There’s men here. They’re all strong and they’re all quick, so you’ve got to keep up and anticipate for sure.
“I think that’s the one thing I’ve noticed, and the smart plays. Everyone’s smart here and everyone’s making the right play. You’ve got to be in position and make the right plays.…
Roster Moves Two more Detroit prospects were assigned to AHL Grand Rapids Wednesday.
Forward Zach Nastasiuk and goalie Eddie Pasquale were sent down, leaving Detroit with 46 players still in camp.
Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer