The preseason is finally turning into a real sorting exercise, and the injury pile is starting to matter as much as the box scores.
Buffalo took the biggest hit Tuesday night. Defenseman Owen Zellweger, the Sabres’ marquee offseason acquisition, was forced into concussion protocol after taking a big hit with a little more than a minute and a half left in the second period.
The Sabres answered when Beck Malenstyn dropped the gloves with Carson Soucy in the third, but the damage didn’t stop there. Mattias Samuelsson also exited earlier in the period, leaving Buffalo with only four defensemen for the final 20 minutes.
Minnesota had its own center-depth scare when Charlie Stramel and Danila Yurov both had to leave the ice the other night.
Detroit, by contrast, got through another chippy night without any injuries. The Red Wings were in a fight-filled game against the Penguins and still came away with a 7-4 win behind top prospects Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who scored twice, and Anton Johansson, who piled up four assists against Sidney Crosby and company.
Marco Kasper also left a mark even without showing up on the scoresheet. The young Austrian center spent much of the night on Detroit’s top line and spent plenty of time matched up with Crosby, using the opportunity to show his edge as a physical, aggravating presence. He even drew Crosby into a fight, with the two sparking a scene that sent linesmen rushing in and both teams back to their benches.
Detroit’s top line still hasn’t played in any preseason action, but it’s expected to be in some form on Thursday night when the Red Wings get their first preseason home game.
The roster churn has already started elsewhere around the league, too. Fifteen players were placed on waivers Tuesday as teams begin trimming down for the season.
In case you missed it, Bob Duff wrote about how close Carter Bear is to making the roster. Daniil Tarasov had the Red Wings as his top choice to sign with, and he’s the only Detroit goalie so far this preseason who hasn’t allowed a goal. Shawn Horcoff has also started cutting the roster down, and Kevin Allen laid out how the interim GM might let things play out.
The Red Wings also found their scoring touch against Artur Silovs, putting seven past him.
In Other News...
McLellans First Red Wings Message Says A Lot About This Team
Todd McLellans first message to the Red Wings after taking over came with a clear sense of urgency. He went straight to the basics of a team trying to reset itself, talking about the need for more physical play in the preseason and a faster start to the season, while also sounding encouraged by young pieces like Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper. For a roster that has spent too much time searching for the right mix, the early tone from the new coach suggested he wants edge and accountability to arrive quickly.
McLellan also addressed one of the uncomfortable realities hanging over the room, including the situation with former captain Dylan Larkin, who has asked for a trade but remains with the club. Even more telling was his view of the teams history in March, when a late-season slide has become too familiar a storyline. The concern is not just performance, but expectation, and McLellan made it clear the Red Wings cannot afford to let another collapse feel predetermined. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Pettersson Buzz Comes With One Massive Catch
Elias Pettersson is back in the rumor mill, and for Red Wings fans, the appeal is obvious. NHL insider Frank Seravalli raised doubts about how long the Canucks center will remain in Vancouver, which naturally has teams like Detroit, Minnesota and Dallas hovering in the background as possible trade fits. There is no actual deal or reported offer at this point, but the conversation alone is enough to get attention because Pettersson remains one of the most talented names that could conceivably come available.
For Detroit, though, the path is anything but simple. Petterssons recent play has made his value harder to pin down, and his contract gives him meaningful control over where this goes next, which only complicates any pursuit. Even if the Red Wings wanted to get serious, the situation would require more than just interest from Steve Yzermans front office, leaving plenty of moving parts before this buzz becomes something tangible. [Read more 🡒]
Former Red Wings Coach Is Back At Center Of A Heated Debate
A familiar hockey name is back in the spotlight after Edmonton made its latest coaching hire, and the reaction has been immediate. Mike Babcock, once behind the bench in Detroit, is now leading the Oilers, a move that has reopened old conversations about the hard-edged style that defined much of his career and the controversies that eventually pushed him out of previous jobs.
The debate has only grown louder because the response from around the game has not been uniform. Mark Messier publicly voiced deep concern over the decision, while ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro took a more measured view, pointing out that Babcock has always coached with a direct, demanding approach and that Edmonton knows the profile it is choosing. For a franchise trying to settle its direction, the hiring has become about more than tactics or systems - it is also about whether the Oilers are comfortable with everything that comes with it. [Read more 🡒]