Detroit — The Red Wings are closer to forming their Opening Night roster.
The Wings waived eight players Saturday — goaltender Calvin Pickard, defensemen Joe Hicketts, Brian Lashoff and Dylan McIlrath, and forwards Turner Elson, Matt Puempel, Chris Terry and Dominic Turgeon.
If the players clear at noon Sunday, they’ll be assigned to the Wings’ minor-league affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.
Of those waived Saturday, Hicketts might be the lone mild surprise.
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Hicketts has played in 16 NHL games with the Wings the last two seasons overcoming a lack of size (5-foot-8, 180 pounds) with an impressive will and confidence in his ability.