Top players will be on the ice for Wild, Detroit

Unlike a year ago, this year's Wild-Detroit exhibition opener should feature at least a few big names.

By Michael Russo, Star Tribune

Last update: September 18, 2007 - 2:00 AM

Last September when the Wild and Detroit opened the preseason, a bunch of minor leaguers masquerading in Red Wings jerseys skated around Xcel Energy Center.

But tonight, when the Wild opens its seven-game exhibition schedule, the arena's anticipated 275th consecutive sellout crowd will at least get to see a couple of NHL-caliber lineups.

The Red Wings are scheduled to bring regulars Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Kirk Maltby and Chris Chelios with them. And as the Wild begins a string of three exhibition games in four nights, coach Jacques Lemaire will play five NHL defensemen tonight, both his goaltenders (Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding) and forwards such as Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, Eric Belanger, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Wes Walz, Branko Radivojevic and Derek Boogaard.

Also in the Wild's lineup will be four players competing for a roster spot -- forwards Benoit Pouliot, Petr Kalus, Danny Irmen and Matt Foy.

"The tempo's going to go up, and we'll see how these [young] guys will perform against them," Lemaire said. "And [Detroit] won't even have their top lineup, so I have to see them against good competition. Then, if they do well, I'll start to be excited."

Demitra, who played center the first three days of training camp, was back at his usual left wing spot during Monday's scrimmage alongside Belanger and Gaborik. Tonight, he likely will switch between wing with Belanger and Gaborik and center with Radivojevic and Gaborik.

But Demitra almost certainly will start the season at left wing, as playing center in Lemaire's system could limit Demitra's offensive ability.

"He produces a little more and is involved more in offensive plays and offensive chances when he plays wing than when he's at center," Lemaire said.

It's expected that 19-year-old James Sheppard will make his preseason debut Thursday at Detroit or Friday at Chicago.

Hands-on approach

Proof that Lemaire pays attention to every detail? Listen to Lauren Redpath sing the national anthem tonight.

Redpath, from White Bear Lake, is one of three finalists in the Wild's search for a new singer. The others: Sara Renner of Minneapolis, who will perform Sept. 26, and Mandy Maietta of Shoreview, who will sing Sept. 30. After all three have had a chance, fans will be able to vote on the team's website starting Oct. 1.

Well, Lemaire and assistants Mike Ramsey and Mario Tremblay were on the seven-person panel that cut the list of prospects to three.

"We were looking for someone who will lift the fans up for the game," Lemaire said. "It was fun, a lot of fun. We don't know a lot about singing, but I know what I like."

Etc.

• Defenseman Andre Lakos (lower back pain) will be kept off the ice for the next five days to rest.

Staff writer Kent Youngblood contributed to this report. For more on Monday's camp, go to www.startribune.com/blogs/wildblog.

Michael Russo • mrusso@startribune.com