Not surprised by Soderblom and Edvinsson assignments.

Soderblom seemed to me to always be a lock to start. He can be used on any line he's so big with good hands.

No major injuries this year with essentially no spots on the top 3 lines left open. Nor in the top 4 d spots. Time to "over ripen," Berggren

No surprises. Yet.

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

Players like Veleno and Soderblom will create discussions for Wings management. Both are arguably ready for the NHL, but will the playing time they receive in the AHL be more beneficial in their young careers?

The Wings would like to have Veleno play center, but Dylan Larkin, Andrew Copp, Michael Rasmussen and Pius Suter appear to be ahead of him on the depth chart.

Being eligible to be sent to Grand Rapids, it's likely the Wings would feel good about Veleno going to the AHL for one more season and playing major minutes in every situation.

"I want to play my best hockey and show I can play at the NHL level and be consistent at it," Veleno said. "That's my biggest goal going forward, just being consistent at the NHL level."

Soderblom, 21, is a unique player for his size and skill. Concerns about his skating have been eased, as Soderblom has shown he can keep up during the preseason.

But when you look at the Wings lineup, there doesn't appear to be a clear opening to slot Soderblom into. Playing Soderblom in Grand Rapids and exposing him to North American pro hockey in the AHL could only better Soderblom before he eventually returns to the Wings.

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