Detroit Red Wings see big potential in checking line
Detroit Red Wings Todd McLellan, Andrew Copp & Mason Appleton, Sept. 23, 2025 in Detroit.
The Detroit Red Wings used their first exhibition to throw a bunch of prospects in the lineup.
Their outing on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Little Caesars Arena featured multiple former first-round picks including Carter Bear (No. 13, 2025), Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (No. 15, 2024), Nate Danielson (No. 9, 2023), Axel Sandin Pellikka (No. 17, 2023) and Sebastian Cossa (No. 15, 2021). That’s the upside to the preseason: A chance to see the up-and-comers without worrying about the result.
The Chicago Blackhawks offered a young lineup, too, and relied on their goalie to bail them out as the Wings stormed the offensive zone. Danielson had a good game, and Sandin Pellikka certainly showed he can handle the puck, helping the Wings to a 3-2 victory.
It was a lower-round pick who made a standout play to put the Wings on the scoreboard: Emmitt Finnie, a seventh-rounder from 2023, pulled off a slick between-the-legs drop pass for Carter Mazur, whose shot eluded Arvid Söderblom during a power play at 14:26. Finnie also broke a 2-2 tie with 7L22 to play in the third period. Brandsegg-Nygård had two assists.
Mazur, whose NHL debut last season was spoiled one minute by injury, also mixed things up physically, and drew a penalty.
Bedard showed off his one-timer 13 seconds into a penalty on Brandsegg-Nygård, sending a blistering shot in behind Cossa early in the second period. Danielson broke that tie at 4:21 when he redirected William Wallinder’s shot.
Wyatt Kaiser tied it early in the third period. The Wings outshot the Blackhawks, 43-17.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
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