The Red Wings will head into training camp with a deeper roster than the team that won the Stanley Cup in June. As a result, there will be competition at every position for precious few available jobs.

They are loaded on defense, where they have 10 NHL defensemen and room for only eight, likely forcing a trade before the regular season. Their top two pairings are set with Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski along with Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart. Andreas Lilja and Brett Lebda, who formed the third pairing in the Cup finals, have the inside track for the fifth and sixth spots. But youngsters Derek Meech, Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Ericsson, their top prospect, will vie for playing time in camp.

Because he is their only defenseman exempt from waivers, Ericsson is likely ...More