The Red Wings preseason starts tomorrow night when the Wings visit the Chicago Blackhawks. The first 15 players have been released from the Wings Training Camp roster, and we now know which players will wear the Winged wheel to kick off the preseason.

The Wings aren't broadcasting this game, but if you're in the local WGN Chicago market, you can catch their broadcast. Puck drop is 8:30 pm EST

Lines

*Robbie Russo will travel with the team.

Whew, is this a preseason roster or what! That defense is sketchy, and my reaction to a Smith - Marchenko pairing was WTF.

Larkin and Pulkkinen staying together is really exciting because they've been fantastic in camp and this a pairing we could see in Detroit in the not too distant future. Adding Anthony Mantha to Larkinen not only compliments Larkin and Pulkkinen and give them another skilled player, but it's also putting Mantha in a position to have a good game, play well, and continue to build confidence.

Svechnikov making the preseason roster is both impressive and deserving. Even as a freshly drafted 18 year old, he's had a great camp and Prospect Tournament and has made a big enough impression on the coaches to play in the preseason when all the rest of the CHL kids have been re-assigned to their junior teams. On a line with Athanasiou and Bertuzzi , you have a skilled, tenacious, line of youngsters that's really exciting.

On defense this game will give Alexey Marchenko and Nick Jensen an opportunity to make their case for being on the opening night roster. I'd rather see those two on the same pairing, becuause they work well together with their styles, and I feel like Marchenko is going to be babysitting Smith and that sucks for him.

Jimmy Howard gets the start.

The reason I love preseason games is because we get to see the young guns in action, and we have plenty of them to play.

Say hello to your 2015 preseason Red Wings part one. Hockey is almost here!