Detroit Red Wings training camp kicks off in just under a month ,and the
organization may arrive in Traverse City with a plethora of forwards ready to
compete for an NHL job.

General manager Ken Holland and coach Jeff Blashill will need to narrow down
what appears to be a long list of forwards to fill a set number of spots on the
 Red Wings'; roster:

18 forwards competing for an NHL job13-14 roster spots available12 spots in the
 lineup up for grabs

Injuries can (and frequently do) occur over the course of training camp and the
 preseason, which could force Holland and Blashill's hand on doling out roster
spots. Trades are not out of the question either. Regardless, a healthy, open
competition for ice time would be beneficial for an organization trying to up
its compete level from a lackluster previous season.

Let's take a look at the 18 candidates who will be pushing for ice time in
Detroit once the regular season kicks off.Roster Locks (6)Abdelkader, Bertuzzi,
 Larkin, Mantha, Nielsen, Vanek

At the center of Detroit's rebuild are Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha. The two
 have developed into every-night offensive threats and could take another step
forward during the 2018-19 season. In addition, you can pencil in Justin
Abdelkader, Tyler Bertuzzi, Frans Nielsen, and Thomas Vanek for opening-night
roster spots.Contract aside, Justin Abdelkader is a valued member of Detroit';s
 forward group. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

After an impressive half-season with the Red Wings, Bertuzzi cannot be sent
down to Grand Rapids without passing through waivers first. He's a full-time
Detroiter now, as are Abdelkader and Nielsen, each of whom Jeff Blashill values
 for their defensive reliability. The two also have nearly immovable contracts
that will keep them around for some time.

Additionally, when the Red Wings brought in Vanek this summer, they did so
because of his mentoring abilities and offensive zone prowess. He's a lock
given his recently signed contract and no-trade clause.Near Roster Locks
(5)Athanasiou, Glendening, Helm, Nyquist, Zetterberg

Henrik Zetterberg is only listed in this category because of his uncertain
status - he's clearly going to play for the Wings if he returns, but that's not
 a given at this point.Captain Henrik Zetterberg holds the keys to Detroit';s
roster strategy. (Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)

The others are near locks to be in the opening-night lineup but also possess
some trade value. In case Zetterberg is able to gut out another season, the Red
 Wings will need to cut some salary to become compliant with the salary cap';s
upper limit. Athanasiou, Glendening, Helm, and Nyquist have all been rumored to
 be on the move before, so their status is slightly up in the air.

In all likelihood, Zetterberg will not be able to play this season and will
subsequently be placed on long-term injured reserve, and the rest will be in
the lineup versus Columbus on Oct. 4, as no additional salary would need to be
cut.On the Bubble (7)Frk, Pope, Rasmussen, Svechnikov, Turgeon, Witkowski,
Zadina

Here's where it gets interesting. With 10-11 spots in the lineup claimed, only
a player or two can join them and another one or two others can be kept as
healthy scratches to compete for playing time.

Of the seven players listed, Michael Rasmussen has the best shot at sticking
with the Red Wings. Though he can be sent back to juniors for another year, it
would be in Detroit's best interest to play him in the lineup every night.
That's one spot claimed.Michael Rasmussen will be given a long look for a spot
in the lineup this fall. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

After graduating in May, David Pope is an unlikely candidate to make the Wings,
 but an impressive training camp could change that. His strong shot and size
would be appreciated in Detroit.Related - Red Wings Prospects: Rankings &
Analysis

Evgeny Svechnikov and Dominic Turgeon can be sent down to Grand Rapids without
having to pass through waivers. In the past, Holland has used this to his
advantage, though the new preferential treatment toward younger players could
dissuade him from making that move again. Both Svechnikov and Turgeon should
factor into Detroit's future, and offer differing skill sets.

One-dimensional wingers Martin Frk and Luke Witkowski seem like good
healthy-scratch candidates if the Red Wings keep 14 forwards on the roster.
Blashill likes Witkowski's ability to play offense and defense despite playing
a grinding style and not adding much else. Add in his his low cap hit and the
Holland, Michigan-native may have the inside track to earn a spot on the
roster. Similarly, Frk's shot can be an asset, but how much ice time would he
see to deploy it?

Finally, the Red Wings will give Filip Zadina every chance to open the season
in a middle-six role with the NHL squad after selecting him sixth overall in
June's draft. They're going to look out for his long-term best interests
though, so spending some time in Grand Rapids to develop may not be the worst
option. Plus, playing in the AHL wouldn't burn a year from his entry-level
contract.

Which Detroit Red Wings bubble players will make the roster? Share your
predictions below.

The post Red Wings Forwards: Who's on the Bubble? appeared first on The Hockey
Writers.

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