Detroit — Ryan Sproul has been an exciting offensive defenseman in junior hockey and for the last three seasons in Grand Rapids.
But as Sproul enters the Red Wings lineup tonight against Nashville — replacing Xavier Ouellet — he understands a basic sports creed.
“Keep it simple,” said Sproul, after Friday’s morning skate. “I know I can skate and shoot the puck well, and they know that too. I need to keep it simple and play a simple game, and if offense comes like it has before, that’s a plus.”
Sproul, 23, is 6-foot-4, 206-pounds and played in one NHL game, the season finale two seasons ago in St.