| The Detroit News
Red Wings’ Jeff Blashill on putting Evgeny Svechnikov on waivers
Red Wings’ Jeff Blashill talks about Evgeny Svechnikov, Michael Rasmussen, Mathias Brome,
The Detroit News
Detroit — The Red Wings finally announced their final roster — and there weren’t any major surprises.
The suspense, if there was any, concerned the taxi squad.
The Wings will carry two goalies, Calvin Pickard and Kevin Boyle, along with defensemen Dennis Cholowski and Gustav Lindstrom, and forwards Givani Smith and Michael Rasmussen on the squad, which is new in the NHL this season because of the pandemic and likely need to shuttle players in and out of the lineup.
As for the Opening Night roster, here it is by position group:
► Forwards: Tyler Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Bobby Ryan, Robby Fabbri, Filip Zadina, Vladislav Namestnikov, Valtteri Filppula, Sam Gagner, Mathias Brome, Luke Glendening, Frans Nielsen and Adam Erne are listed. Darren Helm likely will go on injured reserve.
► Defensemen: Danny DeKeyser, Filip Hronek, Marc Staal, Patrik Nemeth, Troy Stecher, Jon Merrill and Alex Biega.
► Goaltenders: Jonathan Bernier and Thomas Greiss.
The intriguing news Tuesday was the return of Evgeny Svechnikov to the organization.
The former first-round pick went unclaimed on waivers — as did the other Red Wings players put out there Monday — and will remain in the organization.
Svechnikov, the Wings’ 2015 first-round draft pick, likely will be on Detroit’s taxi squad this season, or can be sent down to Grand Rapids.
Svechnikov, 24, appeared to injure his arm in the team’s first intrasquad scrimmage Jan. 5, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice. The team had a day off Tuesday.
Svechnikov has played in 20 games over three seasons with the Wings, with four points (two goals). Svechnikov missed the entire 2018-19 season after tearing an ACL in the Wings’ final exhibition game.
In 51 games with Grand Rapids last season Svechnikov had 11 goals and 14 assists.
The Wings open the season Thursday with a game against Carolina.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan