Red Wings announce cuts, roster down to 36

By @StefanKubus – 

The Red Wings have moved one step closer to their opening-night roster.

The team announced cuts Saturday afternoon, trimming the roster down to 36 names.

Forwards Ryan Kuffner, David Pope, Givani Smith, Evgeny Svechnikov, Joe Veleno and Filip Zadina, along with defensemen Oliwer Kaski, Gustav Lindstrom and Vili Saarijarvi have all been assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Forwards Jarid Lukosevicius, Gregor MacLeod and Dominik Shine have also been released from their tryouts and will report to Grand Rapids.

The moves leave Detroit with 19 forwards, 13 defensemen and four goaltenders. However, the Red Wings also placed forwards Dominic Turgeon, Matt Puempel, Turner Elson and Chris Terry, and defensemen Joe Hicketts, Dylan McIlrath, Brian Lashoff and goaltender Calvin Pickard on waivers earlier in the day, meaning the roster will likely be down to 28 by Sunday afternoon.

This is how the Wings’ roster stands heading into Saturday night’s preseason finale against Toronto: