For the first time since the pandemic, the Red Wings will play in front of a full-capacity crowd at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Head coach Jeff Blashill said fans cheering and that sense of normalcy is something everyone has longed for.
#RedWings host Sabres for preseason home opener w/ fans allowed in full @ LCA. Crowd can expect debuts of Lucas Raymond & Moritz Seider.
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) September 30, 2021
Blashill: "The human element of it in sports, the fans matter. That's where the emotion, where the connection to the community comes from." pic.twitter.com/Xtl3Sh1E5O
“The human element of it in sports- the fans matter a ton,” said Blashill. “That’s where the emotion comes from. That’s where the connection to the community comes from.”
Jeff Blashill on expectations for this team: “The reality is you don’t get to places without taking steps forward on a consistent basis. I know we need to keep improving as a group and individually.” pic.twitter.com/VChyex75L8
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) September 30, 2021
Thursday night will mark the NHL debuts of Red Wings draft picks LH Lucas Raymond and D Moritz Seider. Raymond was drafted in the first round in 2020 and said he has been waiting for his first game at Little Caesars Arena ever since.
Lucas Raymond said he’s looking forward fo playing tonight at @LCArena_Detroit in front of the home crowd- said he’s been dreaming of this day since he got drafted. pic.twitter.com/5kCkZoSmyw
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) September 30, 2021
“I will try to stay calm and try to play my game, but to be in this arena in a Red Wings jersey is really, really special,” said Raymond. “It’s something I have dreamt of since I was drafted so to finally be here and get to play tonight will be an incredible feeling.”
During the morning skate media availability, Jeff Blashill announced that Jakub Vrana will be getting shoulder surgery and is expected to miss four months. Blashill added Vrana had a should injury he was trying to take care of during the offseason, but it was aggravated during training camp.
Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana is having shoulder surgery.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 30, 2021
He will miss at least four months, Jeff Blashill said.
Brad Galli held a Facebook Live with viewers from Little Caesars Arena during the Red Wings morning skate ahead of their preseason home opener against Buffalo.
