Downey released, Red Wings' Roster Takes Shape

As we near the beginning of the season, its important to mention one thing - I'm third generation "I don't give a damn" when it comes to preseason hockey.  Sorry, I just don't care.  Other teams are trying to gel and figure out what combinations could propel them to the playoffs and the Wings, on the other hand, are just trying to not hurt themselves and getting their AHL players of NHL experience.  Both are fine but its boring, the scores don't count and its barely on television. 

The most relevant thing this time of year is the regular season roster and the line between those that will be playing at the Joe and those that will be playing in Grand Rapids (or simply just not playing) is being drawn.  After suffering a concussion in Saturday's preseason game against Chicago, the Detroit News reporters that enforcer Aaron Downey has been released.  I don't think anyone really expected him to make the team but it is sad to see a career likely end like that. 

On to Grand Rapids are forwards Willie Coetzee, Ilari Filppula and Jamie Tardif, defensemen Travis Ehrhardt, Sergei Kolosov, Sebastien Piche and Logan Pyett and goaltender Thomas McCollum.  None of these are surprises, though it would have been awesome to see iFilp play next to his brother in Detroit.  

The Wings currently have 40 players on their roster and will need to get to 23 by next week.  Some will be obvious (goalie's MacDonald and Pearce, defenseman Lashoff and Janik, forwards Raedeke, Minard, Owens and Andersson) but the Wings do have some tough choices to make.  Who stays between Eaves, Miller and Ritola?  Who is going to provide a defense with some smart, consistent play on the third line?  And more importantly, who's gonna stay healthy long enough?

Ok, maybe preseason isn't that boring afterall.