Red Wings Off to Sweden, Trim roster

by Casey Richey on Sep 28, 2009 10:55 AM CDT in News

The Detroit Red Wings boarded a flight and traveled home to Sweden for a three game set, one against Farjestads BK of the Elite League and the second two as season openers against the St. Louis Blues. Farjestad is a 8 time Swedish League Champion and the currently defending the title.

The game against Farjestad will be on Wednesday at 1 pm while the first game against the Blues--and the season opener--will be on Friday, October 2 at 3 p.m. and will air on Versus and TSN. The second game against the Blues will be Saturday at 3 p.m. and will air on FS-D, FS-MW, or CBC. Both games against St. Louis will be played in Stockholm

Thanks to Ansar Khan of MLive.com we have a quick look at the final roster and the likely depth chart for the majority of the season. Note that Justin Abdelkader is in the line-up for now until Darren Helm recovers.

Forwards (13)
Johan Franzen-Pavel Datsyuk-Tomas Holmstrom
Todd Bertuzzi-Henrik Zetterberg-Dan Cleary
Ville Leino-Valtteri Filppula-Jason Williams
Kris Draper-Justin Abdelkader-Patrick Eaves-Kirk Maltby

Defensemen (7)
Nicklas Lidstrom-Brian Rafalski
Niklas Kronwall-Brad Stuart
Jonathan Ericsson-Brett Lebda
Derek Meech

Goalies (2)
Chris Osgood
Jimmy Howard

Another quick note is that goaltender Daniel Larsson will travel as the emergency back-up to Chris Osgood and Jimmy Howard. Hopefully he's not needed.

After the jump is a list of the players that were cut and where they're headed to. We'll post a bit more about the Sweden expedition shortly so sit tight.

Players assigned to Grand Rapids:

Brad May (tryout basis), Jakub Kindl, Evan McGrath, Andy Delmore, Jeremy Williams, Mattias Ritola, Kris Newbury, Doug Janik, Thomas McCollum, Logan Pyett, Tomas Tatar, Jan Mursak, Johan Ryno, Francis Pare, and Cory Emmerton.

Dan Cloutier, who was on a tryout basis, was released from his contract after trying to make a comeback in the NHL.

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Comments

Wait, I thought Tatar was heading to the AHL as of a few days ago?

Per Bruce McLeod:

Tomas Tatar obviously turned some heads this month. The 18-year-old Slovak, who was drafted in the second round in June, was signed by the Red Wings to a three-year entry-level contract, today. That’s an unusual move for an organization that likes to bring its prospects along slowly.

Tatar will start in Grand Rapids. He could have either returned to Slovakia to play professionally there, or played for Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League. The Red Wings wouldn’t have needed to sign him to a contract if he went for either of the latter options.

Is he wrong?

Fire Jim Leyland

And now at Beyond the Boxscore and Project Prospect!

by Mike Rogers on Sep 28, 2009 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

good question...

I had read a few places that he was already headed to OHL but I think you’re right actually after I checked the Grand Rapids website. Thanks for pointing that.

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Sep 28, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions

No prob. I only remembered it because I thought it was an insanely aggressive placement of Tatar. I thought he’d sure-fire be back in Plymouth and I’m not convince that he’s ready. Though, you can’t really question the Wings developmental plan for their prospects.

Fire Jim Leyland

And now at Beyond the Boxscore and Project Prospect!

by Mike Rogers on Sep 28, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions