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3:00 in Buffalo. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/RKB2x6nAOw

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 9, 2021

I posted some final thoughts on Veleno yesterday as the preseason is wrapping up. He’ll be in Buffalo today at 3:00 along with Berggren and Raymond. Pius Suter, Bertuzzi and Zadina will also be on the ice. Larkin, Fabbri and Rasmussen (injury) aren’t making the trip. The forwards are a mix of potentially Grand Rapids bound with Hirose, Barber and Rowney, the lone PTO in Ryan, and some of the steady depth players in Gagner and Stephens. The Blue line is pretty much what we expect on opening night. Leddy, Seider, Hronek, Dekeyser, Stecher, Staal and Oesterle (going with 7 defensemen). In net are Greiss and Nedeljkovic. This will be the closest look at the final group we’ve seen, but still not exactly what will open the season.

Raymond and Veleno are going to be in the spotlight. Both want the vacancy left by Vrana who will be out possibly until February. Mlive suggested that Ryan has done enough to earn a spot, which could well mean that only one of the two young prospects will start the season in Detroit. I suggested that Veleno may see only 10 minutes per night on the third line (some of you think more like 12 or even 14) but that he would have 20+ in Grand Rapids. He’d also more likely play the center position down there, and if the organization wants him to develop that skill set, those reps are important. In truth, no one knows right now what is going to happen.

We expect Larkin/Bertuzzi/Fabbri/Suter/Zadina and (?) To round out the top 6. Today will be the final audition for that spot. Years ago, Ryan would likely have filled it. The club favored veterans, even if it wasn’t a “tie”. Raymond is the best to try it out starting the season, for my money. Veleno is the best “utility” player of the bunch. He’s stronger, has more physicality and can skate in pretty much any situation. Again, if there’s only one spot up there, someone is going to be disappointed.

Still waiting for confirmation that Renouf cleared waivers (not concerned that much about Witkowski). After today’s match, several more players will head down 96 and get ready for the Van Andel crowds (as well as hot dog cannons and pizza on a parachute). This one is for the opening night thrill of skating to the blue line through the fog machine and trying not to trip. Hopefully, it will be a good game for the kids.

Check out my previous blogs:

Detroit beat Pittsburgh 4-2

Bertuzzi made his preseason debut against Pittsburgh.

Columbus beat Detroit 4-2

Wings vs Blue Jackets pregame

Hurrican Raymond

Detroit lost an exciting preseason game to Chicago.

Detroit vs Chicago pregame

Detroit lost to Pittsburgh 5-1

Wings vs Jackets post game

Wings and Blue Jacktes pregame

Wings beat Buffalo 6-2

Vrana to miss most of the season.

Wings vs Chicago pregame

”Twas the night before Red Wings

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