PREVIEW: Red Wings in Columbus to open 2026-27 preseason schedule on Monday

COLUMBUS – Looking to use this week and the start of next week to get back into regular-season form, the Detroit Red Wings will kick off their four-game 2026-27 preseason schedule when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Monday night.

“We’re all excited,” Carter Mazur said. “It’s going to be exciting for a lot of us to show what we have, show what we worked on in the summer against other competition that’s not in this locker room.”

Puck drop between the Eastern Conference squads is set for 7 p.m. ET, with streaming available on DetroitRedWings.com. Ken Kal and Trevor Thompson will have the call on the Red Wings Radio Network (WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit).

“The mood has been great,” Kienan Draper said. “We’ve had a good Training Camp, worked really hard. For me personally, I’ve learned a lot being around all these guys. It’s my first Training Camp, so it’s been great. Everyone has been great, from the players to staff…It’s been a really good couple weeks here.”

Draper, Mazur and the rest of the players aren’t the only ones itching for game action, as Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan shares their excitement.

“Four [games] is a long go,” McLellan said. “Usually, we’re playing an exhibition game on Day 3, and you can kind of see yesterday everybody is like, ‘Let’s go play some games.’ So, I’m happy when we’re playing.”

Detroit spent the first four days of its 2026 Training Camp practicing as two groups — Team Howe and Team Delvecchio — and implementing a few tweaks to the systems and structure already in place. Now, the process of narrowing down the current Training Camp roster from 49 to 23 comes to the forefront.

Several youngsters enter this reduced exhibition slate hoping to secure a roster spot in Detroit. Given the limited ice time available over the next six days, each will need to get to their game early and capitalize on their chances. But, as McLellan explained, the veterans are being evaluated right alongside them.

“We’re evaluating guys that are competing for spots, that’s some of the older players too,” McLellan said. “If you have young guys competing for spots, who are they competing with? Well, some of the older players. We watch and see what happens with this one and this one, and then we have to anticipate what can we get out of them. Can we get enough right now? Can we get more? And that’s sometimes where the older guy gets an edge because you think you know him and he’s proven and shown it, but the younger one you’re going, ‘Well can he or can’t he?’ We have to do a better job of finding out whether they can or they can’t.”

For the up-and-coming talent in particular, McLellan noted that taking a big-picture approach is important to keep in mind.

“We’re trying to develop long-term, Red Wing careers for some of these young players, and we have to think that way a little bit,” McLellan said. “The natural thing out there is just, ‘Let the kids play, let the kids play.’ It would be so easy if it was, but if the kids play and they’re not developing... Just giving [ice time] isn’t always good either. They have to develop and earn a little bit, and ours will.”

There's so much to dissect, analyze and consider when finalizing a 23-man roster. But when it comes to what separates players at this time of year, McLellan said he zeroes in on one area first.

“We watch their impact on the game,” McLellan said. “Just flat-out impact. Are they involved in scoring chances for or against? First thing that I go watch the next day, because that’s really the crux of the game.”

Several lines have already started taking shape and developing chemistry since last Thursday, and one built with youthful energy is expected to take the ice in Columbus on Monday night. McLellan recently dubbed it the "kid line," with Nate Danielson centering Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Mazur.

“It’s a fun line to play with, for sure,” Mazur said. “I’ve been around them for two years now, played with Taxi in GR in the playoffs so we got a little bit of chemistry already from that. I think we can bring just a lot with our skating and physicality.”

Having re-signed a two-year contract extension with the Red Wings this summer, Mazur sees a big opportunity in front of him.

“Every year, I wanted to be part of this team and make the team,” Mazur said. “So I feel like I have that urgency no matter what. Being in this organization for four years now, I think it’s my time to really show what I can do, take over and claim a spot, for sure.”