The Detroit Red Wings got their 23-man roster in place by today’s 5 p.m. deadline, but the group on paper may not be the group that opens the season Friday night against the New York Rangers.
Three young defensemen - Anton Johansson, Axel Sandin Pellikka and William Wallinder - were included on the roster, though that picture comes with a few caveats. Simon Edvinsson is not on it because he remains unsigned, and recently acquired Swedish defenseman Andreas Englund is missing because his immigration is still pending.
Up front, the young names are there for now as well. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Carter Mazur and Nate Danielson all made the roster.
Once Edvinsson’s situation is resolved and Englund’s paperwork is cleared, both are expected to join the group of seven or eight defensemen. Jacob Bernard-Docker was also placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Sept. 24, while Carter Bear and Chase Stillman are on the injured list too.
The biggest roster question still hanging over the team is Dylan Larkin. He is on the roster for now and not on injured reserve, which leaves open the chance he could play next Friday.
That comes even though he has asked to be traded. Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Larkin, who holds a full no-trade clause, has expanded his list of acceptable destinations to eight teams.
Coach Todd McLellan said Larkin had a doctor’s appointment late Monday. “We’ll get more feedback from the physicians at that time to see where he is at,” McLellan said.
If Larkin does wind up on injured reserve, Detroit could carry eight defensemen and make room for Englund. Another possible move would be to place Wallinder on waivers once Edvinsson signs, while Sandin Pellikka could be sent down because he does not have to clear waivers. Anton Johansson also does not have to clear waivers.
Even if Larkin is healthy, he still might not be on the roster Friday. For now, though, he remains among 14 forwards, a group that also includes Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, Andrew Copp, Viktor Arvidsson, Marco Kasper, Emmitt Finnie, Keegan Kolesar, JT Compher, Mason Appleton, Michael Rasmussen, Brandsegg-Nygard, Mazur and Danielson.
Whether a trade gets done by Friday remains unclear, but Larkin’s decision to widen his list of possible landing spots points to a push toward getting something resolved sooner rather than later.
There was also a brief absence in goal. John Gibson did not practice Monday.
“Gibby’s sick,” McLellan said. “He should be around tomorrow. . .
He’s not hurt or anything like that.”
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