It begins…

First things first, if you don’t already — subscribe to, and visit often, The Left Wing Lock. Sarah Lindenau is doing excellent work in Traverse City and delivering some awesome photos. Prospect camp is already underway, with the Wings dropping their first two games to youngsters representing the Wild and Blue Jackets.

If you haven’t already heard, Brendan Smith is wearing a “C” on his sweater during the prospect tournament. In years past, the Red Wings have declined to name a captain for this tournament or pre-season, instead opting to give the impression that there’s only one captain, and it’s Steve Yzerman (and later, Nicklas Lidstrom).

Starting Thursday, the big guns will get down to business. The Wings sent out a press release yesterday itemizing the schedule, beginning with a 9:00 am flight to Traverse City. For the fifth year, players and team representatives will be making stops at various locations along the way, including a medical center in Flint, an Air National Guard base in Battle Creek, an elementary school in Bay City, and DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. .

First thing Friday, the team will undergo physicals before their media availability and charity golf tournament. Saturday’s schedule changed a bit to allow the team to return to Detroit for Brad McCrimmon’s funeral services.

You’ll be able to follow along with the following chart as the team is trimmed down to the eventual 23-man roster that will be on your opening day roster. Feel free to sort by number, name, or date of release. We’ll be updating it and re-posting it as the cuts become available.

[table id=33 /]