Detroit – Andreas Athanasiou’s body of work last season gave him the edge over Anthony Mantha, and the final spot on the Red Wings’ roster.
Defensemen Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul, as expected, earned roster spots, while defenseman Niklas Kronwall will begin the season on the short-term injured list.
The Red Wings also lost forward Teemu Pulkkinen on waivers to the Minnesota Wild.
But the main interest for most fans centered on Athanasiou and Mantha, two of the prized prospects in the organization, who were essentially battling for one vacant position.
Athanasiou, 23, scored nine goals in 37 games in the NHL last season, and that familiarity and experience proved to be the edge over Mantha.