Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and Lucas Raymond are the highlights of an exciting lineup in the Detroit Red Wings second game of the preseason. All eyes are on two prospects as they take on the Buffalo Sabres.
Raymond, Seider Back in North America
Tonight will be the first time many fans get a chance to finally see Raymond in action. After spending a year in the SHL, this season will be his first in North America. Now, the question for Raymond is where he spends ’21-’22. Will it be in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins? Or, as Head Coach Jeff Blashill put it, will it be ” clear to [Blashill’s] wife that he should be on the team,”? Tonight could be Raymond’s first step towards type of performance.
Seider returns to North American ice after a season of dominating the Swedish Hockey League. Will he live up to loft expectations as an official member of the main roster? He could prove himself very early tonight against Buffalo.
Don’t forget Joe Veleno. While he might receive the attention that Raymond does, Veleno is very close to a roster spot. In fact, he could very well play himself into a roster spot in Detroit’s exhibition (unless Mitchell Stephens continues to look good).
Who Takes Vrana’s Spot?
The big question in Detroit now is who fills the hole on the roster?
Bobby Ryan certainly made his case for that position last night in his impressive performance against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring a goal, an assist and a shootout goal in Detroit’s 4-3 overtime victory. He’s been solid since signing his professional tryout with the team at training camp and last year’s performance with the team should have some trust built up with the organization (Seven goals and seven assists in 33 games).
Alternatively, the aforementioned Raymond or Veleno could snatch up the spot, depending on the sort of preseason they have.
Tonight’s Opponent
Tonight’s 7:30 p.m. matchup against the Buffalo Sabres
Here’s their projected lineup:
Asplund – Cozens – Thompson
Peterka – Ruotsalainen – Weissbach
Murray – Malone – Quinn
Warren – Eakin – Hayden
Haag – Pysyk
Butcher – Bryson
Davidson – Fitzgerald
Luukkonen
Robson
Jeff Skinner, Rasmus Dahlin, Casey Mittelstadt and Victor Olofsson are absent from the lineup .
Most notable for the Sabres in this game is the starting goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Luukkonen made his NHL debut with the Sabres last year, going 1-3-0 with a save percentage of .907. He posted a shutout in the Sabres prospect challenge against the New Jersey Devils. Red Wings fans should be wary, he’s a talented young goaltender that is fighting for a roster spot.