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Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets

By JR·1 min read
Detroit Red WingsDET
Columbus Blue JacketsCBJ
AT
7:00 PM ET

TLDR: Detroit and Columbus open their preseason slates against each other, and for once an exhibition game carries actual stakes for both front offices.

MON SEP 21, 7:00 PM
Spread
WIN
Total
Red Wings
LLLWL
Blue Jackets
LLWLW
Red Wings
  • 49-man camp gives depth forwards a real look
  • Edvinsson at camp despite no new deal yet
  • Larkin off the ice, future with club unresolved
  • No general manager in place entering camp
Blue Jackets
  • Werenski committed long-term, no Dallas trade
  • Hosts season's first preseason game at Nationwide
  • Fantilli still unsigned as camp opener arrives
  • Merzlikins failed physical, goalie depth thinned

Puck drops at Nationwide Arena at 7:00 PM ET on Monday, September 21, the first of two meetings between these clubs before the regular season starts — they run it back in Detroit on Saturday. Both teams broke camp this week carrying more real drama than a preseason opener usually gets.

Detroit's camp opened without a general manager and without its captain on the ice. Dylan Larkin, stripped of the 'C' after requesting a trade following a 10th straight missed playoff, is at camp but has been dealing with an injury and staying off the ice — so whatever lines Detroit rolls out Monday will say plenty about how the organization plans to work around him.

Columbus has its own loose ends. Zach Werenski turned down a deal to Dallas and is back for an 11th season, which settles the biggest question in the room, but Adam Fantilli is still unsigned as a restricted free agent with camp underway — term, not money, is reportedly the sticking point.

Detroit Red Wings
(1)
  • OutDylan Larkin (C)09/17
Columbus Blue Jackets
(2)
  • OutNewRiley Bezeau (RW)09/21
  • OutAdam Fantilli (C)09/16

That RFA situation and the goaltending hit both cut into how normal Columbus' lineup looks Monday. Elvis Merzlikins failed his physical and isn't expected back soon, thinning a position that was already a question mark, so whoever starts in net is auditioning for real playing time, not just a preseason look.

None of this changes what an exhibition opener usually is — a chance for depth players and prospects to make a case — but with Detroit's front office in flux and Columbus' cap-and-contract picture unsettled, both coaching staffs have real incentive to see what they've got before October 1 arrives.

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