DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings will play their final preseason home game Friday night at Little Caesars Arena against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm, with broadcast coverage on Bally Sports Detroit, NHL Network and the Red Wings Radio Network.
Detroit’s original training camp roster of 69 players has been trimmed to 48and the front office and coaching staff have until Monday’s 5 pm deadline to reduce the current group of players down to the required 23.
With Opening Night one week away, head coach Derek Lalonde said the club hasn’t finalized roster spots just yet.
“There’s a lot that goes into it,” Lalonde said. “I’m happy that we’re having these tough conversations.”
Looking ahead, Lalonde pointed to his relationship with Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman as a critical part of the decision-making process.
“I think it’s going to be a joint decision,” Lalonde said. “This is why you need the manager-coach layer. I wanna win every single night. I will argue, or want, the best possible lineup. Steve’s job is to look at the big picture.”
Lalonde also reiterated the value of an eight-game preseason slate, emphasizing that the Red Wings are benefiting from a “fresh start.”
“I may be the only NHL head coach in the history of the League to say he enjoys eight preseason games,” Lalonde said. “But this was a need for us right now. You can see us going through it, the ups and downs. I think it’s been necessary and a positive.”
Detroit, which is coming off a 4-2 road loss Wednesday night against the Washington Capitalswill wrap up the preseason on Saturday against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
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