New Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde made it official after four straight practices: Elmer Söderblom will make his debut Friday when the Wings open their season against the Montreal Canadiens — and Filip Zadina and Pius Suter will be watching.
"It was a tough decision," Lalonde said Thursday. "Went back and forth. We expect both those guys to see some time sooner than later, and keep that competition going."
The decision recognizes how well Söderblom, 21, played during preseason, when he used his 6-foot-8 body to protect the puck, screen goalies, and score goals.