Red Wings Expected To Recall Mazur

Mazur, 22, is currently riding a six-game point streak with the Griffins. He’s accounted for 4-3-7 totals over that span. Limited t0 20 games by injury, he’s showing 8-7-15 numbers.

Expectations are he’ll be making his NHL debut Thursday on home ice against Utah. The 6-foot, 170-pound forward known for playing a gritty, agitating style. That would be a welcome addition to a Detroit team that is far too often too easy to play against.

As well, the Red Wings are certainly looking to add some presence among the club’s bottom-six forwards. Lately, they’ve been getting very little from that group.

Youth Being Served By Red Wings

One facet among many that has shown a difference in the way things work with the Red Wings under new coach Todd McLellan is his willingness to go with young players.

Albert Johansson, 24, who couldn’t get out of the press box when Derek Lalonde was coach, has established himself as a top-four defenseman in the second pairing with Simon Edvinsson, 21. Left-winger Jonatan Berggren, 24, is a regular presence in the lineup.

During Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, McLellan moved Elmer Soderblom, 23, up to left-wing on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. It proved astute when Soderblom scored Detroit’s only goal. He’ll be staying in that spot to start Thursday’s game.

“For a big man, he moves that body really well,” McLellan said. “When we shuffled the lines up yesterday, we like pace with Dylan and Razor. We tried that with Joey (Veleno), we tried it with Kas (Marco Kasper), and now with Elmer, he does provide pace.

“You don’t think a big man can skate that well but he’s got good hands and he can really move. With his size and reach, he can be involved in the game in many different ways – with the puck, without the puck. We think it fits. We’ll have to take the test.”

Meanwhile, Kasper, 20, is returning to his natural position of center between Berggren and Vladimir Tarasenko.

“He’s played hard, he’s played fast, he’s played against the opposition’s best players, power play, the penalty kill,” McLellan said. “He’s done it for a month and a half, so I think he’s very ready for it and has all the tools and drive a player needs to have success.

“That doesn’t guarantee success but I believe he’s ready.”