After Saturday's game, Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Ericsson and Mattias Ritola were assigned to Grand Rapids. The Red Wings' other cuts will be made Monday, according to coach Mike Babcock.
"All we think have to play," said Babcock. "All played very, very well. They can all play in the National Hockey League quickly if they continue to work and develop. We're real excited with Ritola's camp to say the least. Ericsson had a great camp and so did Howard. ... They could be Red Wings sooner than later."
With Ericsson's demotion, Derek Meech becomes one of seven defensemen that the Red Wings will carry on their roster in their season-opener next Wednesday.
The fight for the final one or two forward spots boils down to Igor Grigorenko, Mark Hartigan, Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey.