Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings on Dads’ Trip and Bertuzzi is Ready to Play

Published

1 year ago

January 25, 2023

Another Detroit Red Wings Dads trip is underway and that meant that the players were spared any harsh words from coach Derek Lalonde Wednesday about their poor second-period in Tuesday night’s win.

“There were some holes in our game last night that we usually address,” Lalonde said. “(But) I was a little more matter-of-fact in the meeting than I would have been if (the dads) weren’t there.”

The dads are accompanying the team for its Thursday road game against the Montreal Canadiens and Friday away contest against the New York Islanders.

Fathers & Mentors trip starts now!

First stop, Montreal! ✈️❄️ pic.twitter.com/CYdgEbqDfB

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 25, 2023

Tyler Bertuzzi’s dad, Adrian Gedye, is on the trip and it appears he will see his son play. Bertuzzi is targeting to play Thursday.

“I think so,” he said. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

He has been injured twice with lengthy stays on the injured list. This has been a minor lower body injury. He didn’t play the third period of a January 19 win against the Vegas Golden Knights. Bertuzzi then sat out two home games against the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks.

“He looked good on some reps,” Lalonde said. “We’ll see how he responds but I’d be surprised if he’s not available for us tomorrow.”

Forward Filip Zadina‘s return also seems imminent. He hasn’t played since Nov. 5.

Zadina Close

“Close, could be one of these two games,” Lalonde said. “I think he’s in that day to day. He’s in that gray area of is it too early because he does have his ups and downs. Every post-skate it either feels great or just feels OK. So, I think you’re dealing with get him in now or let him get those 8-9 days where you’re assuring yourself that he’s 100 percent. We’ll see in the next 24 hours.”

The Red Wings will have to move someone off the roster to make room for Zadina.

Even Lalonde’s dad (Jack) is on the trip. He seems to be soaking in the atmosphere. Some dads came in a day early to see Tuesday’s home game against the Sharks.

“It’s awesome,” Lalonde said. “I addressed them today. I want to get to know some different things about the individuals What goes into developing an NHLer, the uniqueness of so many guys from Europe. Even some of the little things, some of the Czech dads don’t know a lick of English, really puts things in perspective of how impressive it is.”

Lalonde got a kick out of meeting Moritz Seider‘s father.

“He comes right up to me and says, ‘Hey, I’m Seider.’ I’m like. ‘What are you a music star? No first name. Like Seal or Bono?,” Lalonde said. “Those are those neat, awesome experiences that you get to know people a little bit and someday we’ll laugh about it for a while.”