The depth with which the Detroit Red Wings entered the season has been plundered, but for now, there are no plans to call up reinforcements.
The Wings practiced Thursday and then left for Chicago, where they play the Blackhawks on Friday. It will be the first game since Jakub Vrana entered the NHL/NHL PA Players Assistance Program, and the second without him and Tyler Bertuzzi, who is out 4-6 weeks with an upper-body injury. Both are top-six forwards, and the Wings already were without another such player, Robby Fabbri, whose off-season surgery will sideline him until mid-January.
“We’re being tested probably a little more than we want this early,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “I don’t care who you are, you have three of your top six, arguably two of your top three, out, it’s going to challenge your depth.
“We still have a winnable roster, which is exciting. We see it like that. That’s a positive.”
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Lalonde and general manager Steve Yzerman discussed the lineup situation and concluded that the 12 forwards the Wings (2-0-1) are left with — Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Andrew Copp, David Perron, Filip Zadina, Dominik Kubalik, Oskar Sundqvist, Elmer Söderblom, Michael Rasmussen, Adam Erne, Pius Suter and Joe Veleno — will do for now. If needed, Lalonde suggested defenseman Jordan Oesterle could fill in up front.
“Immediately when Bertuzzi and Jakub went out of our lineup at the same time, it put us right at 12 and 7,” Lalonde said. “It was an easy conversation. We’re comfortable with this. And Grand Rapids is close, if we need to pull someone up.”
As it stands, Kubalik and Zadina have slid into the top six. It’s a prime opportunity for Zadina, who was a healthy scratch the first two games. Four years after he was drafted at No. 6 overall, the 22-year-old is struggling to show he is a top-six player.
“He just has to keep managing his game,” Lalonde said. “You could see last game, he managed his game a little better. We want him to take what’s given offensively. If there’s time for a clean entry, gaining middle ice — of course. But what he has in his game that he is working on is reading that type of play. He tries to force it and there ends up being some turnovers in some dangerous areas.
“He’ll get an opportunity with some really good players, get some power play time.”
Kubalik earned his chance to play on Larkin’s line after playing on the fourth line the first two games. Kubalik has stood out for his energetic play, and his ability to create offense.
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“The one thing with Dominik I probably didn’t give him enough credit for is his ability to skate,” Lalonde said. “He’s a shooter, he’s a finisher, but he’s helped us five-on-five because he has skated. He’s getting above. He’s keeping plays alive on the forecheck. He’s turning tracks into offense because he is skating.
“There is a perfect example of a guy — he plays in the bottom of our lineup a week ago. And now he’s seeing top-six time.”
Friday’s game will carry a little extra emotion for Kubalik, who played for the Blackhawks from 2019-22.
“After three years, it’s exciting,” he said. “When I know that I am not going to be in Chicago any more, I was looking for another opportunity and especially somewhere where the team will want me as a player. That’s what happened. I’m happy to be here. The team is trying to make another step forward, which is always a good sign and I’m really happy to be a part of it.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
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Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.