Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Opportunity Knocks For Young D

September 24, 2018, 4:36 PM ET [9 Comments]
Bob Duff
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Detroit Red Wings fully intended to keep a rookie defenseman this season, but circumstances have opened the door to a second newcomer.

The viral infection that has attacked Mike Green’s liver assures that he will at least start the season on the injured list, creating at least briefly another opportunity for a young rearguard to stick around in Detroit.

At this point, just who that lucky tandem might be remains anybody’s guess.

“Libor’s (Sulak) been really good, Dennis (Cholowski) has been really good,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill told Mlive.com. “(Joe) Hicketts probably has been the best of the group so far. I thought that was (Filip) Hronek’s best game last night. He can produce offense, too, so I think it’s a good thing those guys are all really pushing.

I’d say it’s still wide open and there’s obviously a couple spots open with Greener out to start the year. We’ll see where next two games take us.”

It’s Sulak’s first opportunity to crack the big club’s lineup and he’s seeking to make the most of his chance.

“I feel so good,” Sulak said. “Good start. I’m so glad I can play here and I will do everything to stay here, play good defense, play good offense, play good neutral zone and help team.”

Sick Bay
Three other Wings are ailing and currently unavailable to play. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier (lower body injury) and defensemen Danny DeKeyser and Jonathan Ericsson (upper body injuries) are listed as day to day.

Of the three, Bernier looks to be the furthest away from playing.

“He’s got a little bit of a tweak,” Blashill said. “I don’t know whether he’ll be available for either of these next two games or not. He’s pressing to play. It’s nothing huge, but it’s enough that it’s keeping him out right now.”

DeKeyser and Ericsson are unlikely to see action before the weekend home-and-home set against Toronto.

“They both have minor tweaks, I don’t think anything major,” Blashill said. “But right now, they’re not available tomorrow night (at Chicago) for sure, and I don’t think they’ll be available for Wednesday (at Boston).”

Veleno Assigned
The Wings assigned center Joe Veleno, their second first-round pick of last spring’s NHL entry draft,.to the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Red Wings currently have 60 players on their preseason roster - 35 forwards, 19 defensemen and six goaltenders. With four preseason games to play, it’s doubtful there will be any major cuts before the end of the week

“We might have a few cuts but most of the guys will be around for the entirety of it,” Blashill said.

Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer
Join the Discussion: » 9 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Bob Duff
» Five of Last Six First Rounders To Start Season In AHL
» Zadina, Veleno sent down
» Opening-Night Roster Not Set In Stone
» Back Where Pro Hockey Started
» Abdelkader Looking To Bounce Back