Red Wings Key Preseason Watch – Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings

The preseason is upon us – the Detroit Red Wings are scheduled to play eight games over the next two weeks before their home opener on October 10 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Detroit’s roster is pretty set – 12 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders it is possible make a group. That hasn’t been finalized, though. And the roles in the group are certainly still represented.

With that being said, let’s take a look at a few players to watch this preseason. Here are a few words that I will pay attention to.

Former Red Wings Prospects

Earlier this month, Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Emmitt Finnie emerged as Detroit’s best players in their two games against the Dallas Stars prospects. After that, they joined teammates Marco Kasper and Carter Mazur for a week of training camp.

Heading into the preseason, these top five have a chance to prove themselves against NHLers. Finnie will be heading back to the WHL soon and Bransegg-Nygard will return to Sweden at some point. But for now, they’ll get a chance to make a lasting impression on Detroit brass.

As for Danielson, Mazur, and Kasper, they’ll be competing to steal a roster spot from the NHLer — or, at the very least, decide the pecking order.

The preseason games are a mix of NHL players, AHL players, and prospects. There will certainly be some differences each night – home teams tend to dress more NHL players than their opponents. Detroit’s forward prospects will see plenty of ice time against the NHLers.

How will they stack up? Can one or two release a player in their position and claim a roster spot? Kasper, in particular, has looked good so far and his position and role flexibility could give him some edge. You need to prove you belong, though.

Ville Husso

Let’s be honest, Ville Husso’s 2023-24 season did not go according to plan. He didn’t start 55-plus games as expected and has dealt with injuries for most of the campaign. Now, he’s competing for an NHL roster spot, let alone a starting one.

“I feel really good,” Husso told reporters in Traverse City. “It’s been a good start to camp, good speed on the ice.”

“Personally, I feel really happy – 110 percent for sure.”

With Cam Talbot in town and Alex Lyon back for another season, nothing is guaranteed for Husso. He should be called, though. Husso spent the summer training with Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Andrew Copp, the Hughes Brothers, and a bunch of Michigan-affiliated players in Plymouth. That’s a good group of shooters to keep sharp.

Husso is entering the final year of his contract – a make-or-break campaign for the 29-year-old. Will he reprise his original role? Or fading into the pocket?

Jonathan Berggren and Albert Johansson

No longer exempt from waivers, forward Jonathan Berggren and blueliner Albert Johansson are here to stay. Now what?

Berggren was slotted into Detroit’s fourth line alongside Joe Veleno and Tyler Motte. He also has a role on the second team on the power play. But can he gain more?

“I feel like this is the year to show that I belong in this league,” Berggren told reporters.

“Hungry to show them that I can be a top player in this league.”

That last quote stands out – Berggren is inspired. Not that the players aren’t there. Everyone has their own motivations. But Berggren, in particular, wants to prove he’s more than a fourth baseman. That he can be responsible for his own defense. That his bet—a one-year, $825,000 contract—would be a worthy gamble.

He will not be the fourth player during the preseason. With a mix of NHLers, AHLers, and minor leaguers, Berggren will likely be in the “top six” on a few nights. What he does in those minutes will affect his regular season performance.

The same goes for Johansson. He has yet to appear in an NHL game and faces an uphill battle for ice time this year given Detroit’s loaded blue line. That said, a strong preseason performance could turn things around.

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In three preseason games last year, Johansson played low-key hockey. Simple and smart. This year, I would like to see Johansson take chances offensively. Smart defense, clean exits, and some offensive zone play can lead to a regular lineup for the young blueliner.

The Last Word

All of these players will be motivated going into the preseason. Kasper, Danielson, and Mazur want to make the Red Wings. Husso is ready to prove that he is still a starting goaltender at the NHL level. And Berggren and Johansson want to show that they are ready for more than just the bare minimum.

In addition to these players, it will be interesting to see if Detroit can maintain their offensive firepower from last season. Perhaps more importantly – are they the better team defensively? We’ll find out soon enough.

Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and PuckPedia.