Will Henrik Zetterberg (left) and Anthony Mantha play on the same line again? (AP file photo)

Who will play on what line?

Training camp is approaching. The Detroit Red Wings hit the ice in Traverse City two weeks from today with largely the same roster they finished with in 2016-17.

They’ll go through numerous line combinations during the season. Who’ll play on what line during the season opener Oct. 5 against the Minnesota Wild? Here’s one projection.

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Tomas Tatar (left) and Gustav Nyquist might start the season as Henrik Zetterberg's wingers. (AP file photo)

Starting with same top line that ended last season

Q: We know lines change constantly, with injuries and whatnot, but it'll be interesting to see what combinations they start with. What are your line projections for the opener? – James

A: I think they'll start with the top line they finished with last season – Henrik Zetterberg centering Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar.

It goes against coach Jeff Blashill’s desire to have a big body on each line as a net-front presence or physical element. But playing with Zetterberg can help Nyquist and Tatar get off to good starts and build confidence. Both were more productive later in the season than in the first half.

Dylan Larkin will start at center, where he finished last season (and played for the U.S. at the World Championship) and got more comfortable, after the experiment was scrapped early in the season. He might be flanked by Anthony Mantha, a shooter, and Justin Abdelkader, a net-front presence.

Frans Nielsen would center what can be considered the third lines, with speedy wingers Andreas Athanasiou – assuming he signs with the Red Wings instead of a Russian team -- and Darren Helm.

I think Riley Sheahan will center the fourth line, with Luke Glendening and Tyler Bertuzzi. Sheahan and Glendening could also flip-flop. Bertuzzi’s spot is predicated on having the cap space, since they have the flexibility to send him to the Grand Rapids Griffins because he’s waiver-exempt for another season. If it’s not Bertuzzi, then it would be Luke Witkowski, who I think will play more forward than defense.

But, even if these are the lines for the first game at Little Caesars Arena it doesn’t mean they’ll be the combinations that start Oct. 7 at Ottawa.

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Darren Helm is among 10 Red Wings with some form of no-trade clause. (MLive/Mike Mulholland)

Too many no-trade, no-movement clauses

Q: The Wings have four forwards, five defensemen and one goalie with a no-trade clause, a modified no-trade clause or a no-movement clause as part of their contract. These 10 players receive 62 percent of the team payroll. What is the incentive for these 10 players? Not money, they have their contracts. Not job security, they can't be moved. Not ice time, coach Jeff Blashill has proven that a player does not need to produce to receive ice time. Their remaining incentive would be winning the Cup or pride. They couldn't find the incentive to extend the playoff streak. Can they find the incentive to start a new streak? I hope so, but I doubt it. – Rod

A: You would hope they don't need any more incentive than pride and doing their job to the best of their abilities and wanting to win. This team has too many players with no-trade clauses, but several players around the league have the same and still excel, so you can't say that it saps all players of motivation.

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Combatants last season, Anthony Mantha (left) and Luke Witkowski are now Red Wings teammates. (AP file photo)

Could Witkowski's role have been filled from within organization?

Q: General manager Ken Holland signed Luke Witkowski. Why? It has been reported Witkowski brings 'grit' to the team. He can play both defense and (forward). I reviewed his NHL statistics: 54 games, no goals, four assists, 58 penalty minutes, 35 shots, 126 hits, 42 blocks, five takeaways, 19 giveaways, while averaging 11:15 minutes of ice time. I do not see how Witkowski will help the Wings defensively, physically or offensively. I hope I am wrong but I feel this is another Jordin Tootoo signing. P.S., I would not be surprised if Dylan McIlrath challenges Witkowski in training camp to avenge breaking Anthony Mantha's finger. Also, McIlrath wants to prove the Wings signed the wrong player to bring the much needed 'grit.' – Rod

A: They wanted an element of abrasiveness, someone capable of fighting, like they had in Steve Ott for much of last season. Blashill coached Witkowski at Western Michigan for one season, and Danny DeKeyser was his roommate, so the Red Wings believe they know what they are getting.

Witkowski has not established himself over a full NHL season, but the team feels it’s a low-risk move, since he can be waived and his entire cap hit ($750,000) buried in the minors if it doesn’t pan out. I wouldn’t compare it to the Tootoo signing, which was more costly (three years, $5.7 million).

If McIlrath challenges Witkowski in training camp I don’t think it will have anything to do with Mantha’s injury from his fight with Witkowski last season in Tampa Bay. That’s in the past.