Red Wings 2016-17 camp opens today, post Datsyuk era begins
It may still feel like summer in the Motor City, but the Detroit Red Wings officially open training camp today as the 2016-17 NHL schedule gets ready to begin.
Who is ready for some hockey? NHL fans, the wait is just about over! Several training camps, including the Detroit Red Wings, open today as they prepare for the preseason schedule, and the long grind of another NHL season.
Things will look a lot different this season for the Wings, most noticeably the absence of Pavel Datsyuk.
Datsyuk was an important part of the Red Wings success the past 14 seasons, and his departure will be felt by fans and players alike. Datsyuk scored 314 goals and netted nearly 1000 points over his great career, and gave Wings fans countless memories, including playing a key roll in two Stanley Cup championships.
While it is nice to reminisce, the Red Wings are focused on the future and with three new key acquisitions, Detroit is ready for the upcoming season.
According to the Detroit News, Wings general manager Ken Holland has had a busy offseason. Holland signed free-agent forwards Frans Nielsen and Thomas Vanek, who along with scrappy forward Steve Ott, give the Red Wings a new look. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall likes what the future could hold this season.
“There’s been some big acquisitions,” said defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who along with captain Henrik Zetterberg will not participate in camp because of knee injuries. “The guys that have come in, like Nielsen, he’s one of the most underrated guys in the league, an extremely smart player.”
Nielsen and Vanek are seasoned vets that could bring some much needed offense to the Wings in 2016, while Steve Ott, also a well traveled journey man, should bring some much needed grit that the Wings lack.
Hold on to your hats Wings fans, the preseason begins on Sept. 27 when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Joe Louis Arena. Start time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The regular season opener is a little over two weeks away in Tampa when the Wings face the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 13.
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