JVR on Brink of Red Wings Promotion; Bernard-Docker in for Hamonic?

JVR is on the brink of earning promotion from the Detroit Red Wings JV.

Winger James Van Riemsdyk missed most of the NHL preseason to be with his family after one of the twins his wife gave birth to remained hospitalized.

“I think JVR is getting really close,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan told reporters following Friday’s practice. “Whether we use him tomorrow (on home ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs) or not, that’s still to be determined.”

JVR is currently on the non-roster list while regaining his conditioning.

“I’m feeling better and better and just about getting back into it,” van Riemsdyk said. “I think it’s just getting the timing down and some of those things.

“Some extra practice is never a bad thing. You just gotta stay ready to go when it’s your opportunity to play.”

At practice on Friday, JVR skated on the third line in Elmer Soderblom’s spot. To add JVR to the roster, the Wings must be dropping a player. The likely candidate is defenseman Erik Gustafsson. With Gustafsson already clearing waivers, the Wings could immediately be sending him to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

The Leafs are among van Riemsdyk’s former teams.

(I think after him watching (Thursday’s 5-1 loss to Montreal), he probably wants to get in there and try and make a difference as well,” McLellan said.

Red Wings May Add Another Multi-Surname

Already with Axel Sandin Pellikka and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard in the lineup, the addition of JVR might not be the only multi-surname upgrade for Saturday’s game against Toronto.

An additional change at practice on Friday saw Jacob Bernard-Docker skating in the third defense pairing instead of Travis Hamonic. Hamonic was minus-three in Thursday’s loss.

Are the Red Wings ready to move Bernard-Docker in for Hamonic?

There’s a real good chance we will,” McLellan said about the potential change.

Holy cow I’ve seen enough of Hamonic already

— Brian Fisher (@BrianFisherLORW) October 10, 2025

If you’re making plans to watch Monday’s Wings-Leafs rematch in Toronto, there’s been a change of plans. The start time has been moved.

The NHL announced the start time to Monday’s @DetroitRedWings at @MapleLeafs matchup, originally scheduled for 4 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, will now begin at 2 p.m. ET.

Full details: https://t.co/gQkvDeRSlo pic.twitter.com/ErVhEexYr1

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) October 10, 2025

Originally slated for a 4 pm start time, the puck drop is now going to take place at 2 pm on Thanksgiving Monday in Canada.

The time change was made to avoid clashing with the Toronto Blue Jays’ American League Championship Series game.