The Detroit Red Wings made their first batch of roster cuts Sunday following the conclusion of training camp in Traverse City.
Detroit assigned goaltender Landon Miller, drafted in the fourth round of this year’s draft, to the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. The Red Wings also released the following players from amateur tryouts: forwards Brayden Edwards, Chase Lefebvre, Charlie Paquette and Borya Valis; defensemen Bauer Dumanski, Marcus Kearsey, Zackary Sandhu, Blake Smith, Josh Van Mulligen and Matthew Virgilio.
The Red Wings still have cuts to make, with 57 players on the roster heading into the preseason. Notably, three experienced pro players remain with the team on professional tryout deals: forwards Alex Chiasson, Austin Watson and Isaac Ratcliffe.
None of these cuts or keeps were unexpected. Detroit will want to get a sense of where its PTO signees are at in preseason games, while their ATO players can’t stay with the team. Miller was the ninth goaltender in a rotation of pro-level players, so he wasn’t going to get much playing time.
For the remaining 57 players on the roster, the next few weeks are all about proving their value to the organization and battling for roster spots. There aren’t many availabilities on the NHL roster it seems, with returners, free agent signings and waiver-eligible prospects claiming 23 roster spots. But, a number of players are still duking it out for spots, as well as their position on the list for potential call-ups if injuries or trades happen.
Chief among those battles is the competition between Marco Kasper, Carter Mazur and Nate Danielson as top-tier prospects looking to make the NHL roster. Kasper had a strong impression in training camp with his size, compete and skills, while Mazur’s play in Sunday’s Red & White Game really impressed Detroit coach Derek Lalonde, who said he was “especially noticeable” in the scrimmage. Danielson’s hockey IQ and maturity have earned praise, but he has become the apparent dark horse in this race between the three prospects.
There are also some pro players competing for a roster spot. Among the tryouts, Lalonde is interested in what Chiasson can bring as a power play specialist, while Watson brings a toughness that could create space for skill players. Signed to an NHL contract, Sheldon Dries scored two power play goals in Sunday’s scrimmage, and Lalonde praised his performance — and versatility — after the game.
“Sheldon was my captain in junior,” Lalonde said. “I’ve been chasing him down for about eight years now. Finally got a GM to bite on it — in a good way. Really appreciate the player, appreciate the human being. He adds that depth. Obviously I would be extremely comfortable in a call-up situation any time.”
And while his SHL team Skelleftea continues its regular season without him overseas, 2024 first round pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard remains with Detroit for preseason. His camp was a mixed bag in Traverse City, showing a shot that impressed but not asserting himself in many plays. Lalonde also noted a language barrier that tripped the Norwegian prospect up at times. While he likely isn’t remaining with the team for roster consideration, he continues to gain valuable experience by remaining with the team for preseason games.
Final roster decisions are a ways away, with a whole eight preseason games left to play and plenty of roster cuts still to be made.
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