DETROIT, MICH — The Red Wings have announced that forward Anthony Mantha has been assigned to AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, and place Niklas Kronwall on injured reserve:
Assuming Ben Street clears, and Teemu Pulkkinen goes claimed on waivers, this effectively puts the team at 22 roster spots. Head coach Jeff Blashill said that one of Mantha or Athanasiou will be with the team on opening night. Now that Mantha is Grand Rapids bound, we know who that will be. The looming question is that why are they sitting with an extra roster spot open? We’ll find out more later on today when the waiver report comes out.