The Wings capped off their preseason with a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday evening from the Joe. Wings prospect Gustav Nyquist was spectacular as well netting himself two goals as he tried his very best to show that maybe he deserved a spot on the Wings’ roster. Johan Franzen was had the other Wings’ tally.
Despite Nyquist’s strong game and strong overall preseason head coach Mike Babcock confirmed after the game that Nyquist would start the season in Grand Rapids.
“We’ve always kind of done things the same way, we send those kids to the minors and let them play a little bit and see what we got here (in Detroit), see how the year starts,” Babcock said. “We’ll see what the guys we have can do and if (Nyquist) just keeps playing so good that he’s got to be on the team then he’ll be on the team.”
Assistant general manager Jim Nill mentioned that the team will likely announce cuts Monday and that he was leaning towards offering Fabian Brunnstrom a contract. The once highly touted free agent, Brunnstrom is with the team on a pro tryout contract that runs out at the end of the preseason. It appears as though he may have beaten out Ryan Johnson who is also with the team on a pro tryout.
Here are some other Red Wings news items…
- Forward Patrick Eaves who left Sunday’s game after blocking a shot that went off his foot. It’s a little sore but it’s not considered serious and he is considered day-to-day.
- Henrik Zetterberg has also been bothered by what is being considered an upper body injury. Head coach Mike Babcock however said that Zetterberg will be ready for Friday’s regular season opener against Ottawa.
The Majors Detroit’s Player of the Game: Gustav Nyquist (2 goals)
Ref: TSN.ca (picture), Mlive.com