Red Wings view compressed 2026-27 exhibition schedule as opportunity to ‘get to work right away’

DETROIT -- The first four days of their 2026 Training Camp at BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena gave the Detroit Red Wings a baseline, according to head coach Todd McLellan, showing them where they stand and what they must continue to work on before the calendar flips from September to October.

“There’s a lot of tactics that got jammed in quicker than they would’ve had Camp been dragged out like it had been in other years,” McLellan said on Sunday afternoon. “And at that time, it slows Camp down a little bit because there’s some teaching, some correcting. It often happens when you go to a power play or a penalty kill day, you get what we got today. I wasn’t happy with our day today at all. I was happy with the kids, but I wasn’t happy with our day. So, we’ve got to take it back up here after their off days and get going, not waste a day.”

From here, the pace only picks up. On Monday night, Detroit’s four-game preseason schedule kicks off against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Then in 12 days, it’ll already be Opening Night at Little Caesars Arena.

“We have so much to worry about in terms of preparation for the season,” Andrew Copp said. “Each guy has so much to worry about in their own individual game. As a team, we have to worry about our collective team game, getting together, all sorts of things. So honestly, since the team’s come back and we’ve kind of gotten on the ice together and once you get into the rhythm, it’s been normal. We got to keep it that way… Now it’s just time to go play hockey.”

On the compressed exhibition slate, Copp believes going from eight games in past seasons to four “is kind of the sweet spot.”

“You come in, you get to work right away,” the 32-year-old forward said. “There’s no dilly-dallying around. There’s no extra stuff going on. We got to get right to the point and obviously, these preseason games will be huge to kind of get your feet under you and get your timing down then get right into it.”

However, not having a lot of time to ease into things could be a significant adjustment for the younger players. Alex DeBrincat sees that as an area where Detroit’s veterans can make a lasting impact.

“Obviously, coming in for some of the rookies and young guys is not an easy transition,” DeBrincat said. “Even second-, third-year guys it’s definitely not easy. Us older guys have to really help them and really give them confidence. I think that’s a big part of this League is confidence. If we can make this as open and safe of a space as we can, really get them to feel comfortable, I think we’ll have a lot of success here.”

DeBrincat is entering the final season of the four-year contract extension he signed with the Red Wings on July 9, 2023, when they acquired the Farmington Hills, Mich., native from the Ottawa Senators. When asked what his future might hold, the 28-year-old forward reiterated that he “loves playing here.”

“But all that is kind of put to the side right now,” DeBrincat said. “I’m focused on the season and getting the new systems and all that stuff, and meeting the new guys, and just playing well. I want to get off to a strong start, and the rest will take care of itself, and we’ll see what happens.”

One of those fresh faces is Viktor Arvidsson, who signed a two-year, free-agent deal with Detroit in July. Based on Arvidsson’s time on the ice this weekend with his new teammates, one thing stood out to the 33-year-old forward right away.

“We’re a fast team,” Arvidsson said. “Really fast. Skilled, fast. Everybody wants to get better every day and just bringing everything together, I think, is going to be the key to our success.”