from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

Here are highlights from Blashill’s interview with the Free Press.

Shorter season, same challenge

According to reports from Canadian sports sites TSN and Sportsnet, the aim is to stage a 56-game season. Travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada will force geographical realignment, with the Wings expected to be in a division with Chicago, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, Florida and Tampa Bay.

“We talk about the importance of every single game, and that becomes magnified when you’re in a season with not as many games,” Blashill said. “Our focus will continue to be on us to improve on a daily basis, and that doesn’t change if it 56 games, or 48 games, or 100 games. Our focus will be on getting better every single day.”

Who will be available?

One concern is what the team will look like. “What does our squad look like as we do begin the regular season,” Blashill said. “What’s the roster limit? Are we allowed to carry extra players? Those issues are being discussed.

“Whatever the number of players are, we are going to have to find ways to have scrimmages, and get our guys back to playing in tight areas and the things you can’t replicate when you’re skating in the summer. I think our guys are extremely hungry to practice and play and get going.”

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