Detroit Red Wings Player Preview: Matt Lorito & Ben Street

More player previews to kick off your Labor Day weekend. It’s another two-fer for you. Last time we doubled up with Ryan Sproul and Robbie Russo on the blue line. Today we’re doubling up with a few forwards who may never see the light of day in Detroit this season, Matt Lorito and Ben Street.

Player Profiles & Stats

Matt Lorito

Born: July 3, 1990 (age 27)

Height/Weight: 5’9” / 170 lbs

Position: Left Wing

Games Played: 2

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

TOI/G: 14:26

Ben Street

Born: February 13, 1987 (age 30)

Height/Weight: 5’11” / 199 lbs

Position: Center

Games Played: 6

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

TOI/G: 8:15

Last Season

As you can see by the stats above, both Lorito and Street had a cup of coffee in the NHL last year. All of their games came at the very end of the season after the Red Wings were officially out of the playoff race and just playing out the stretch. Each player register an assist.

However, both played a big role in the Grand Rapids Griffins’ success. Lorito led the Griffins in the regular season with 56 points (22 G, 34 A) and Street was right behind him with 55 points (25 G, 30 A).

Looking Forward

I think it’s pretty safe to say the expectations for these two are very low. If they’re regulars in the Red Wings lineup this season, that probably means there are quite a few injuries or things have gone so terribly wrong that Ken Holland and Jeff Blashill are just throwing whatever and whomever on the ice to see if it works.

With that said, I’d much rather have a guy like Lorito take up the final forward spot on the roster than Luke Witkowski (who’s expected to play both forward and defense). If we’re talking call ups from Grand Rapids, both guys should be behind the likes of Tyler Bertuzzi (if he doesn’t make the roster), Evgeny Svechnikov and maybe even Martin Frk.