Bernard-Docker day-to-day as Red Wings weigh final roster spots
Detroit coach Todd McLellan plans to make the remaining roster decisions after Saturday’s pre-season finale against Columbus.
Detroit Red Wings defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, coach Todd McLellan said after Friday’s practice. With one pre-season game left, McLellan expects to decide the final roster spots after Saturday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and on Sunday.
McLellan said Detroit will dress a lineup close to its regular-season group against Columbus, though some players have already played the two exhibition games planned for them. The club intends to submit its opening roster on Monday, ahead of next Friday’s home opener against the New York Rangers.
Most of the 23-man roster is already set, McLellan said, barring further injuries. He cited Mason Appleton as a returning player who has met the team’s expectations in his last two appearances. McLellan added that the club would look elsewhere if a player could not sustain that level.
Appleton, who missed 17 games to injury in 2025-26, said the team is still adjusting to changes in its system. He welcomed competition for places as Detroit finishes camp.
