For Taro Hirose and other young, waiver-exempt forwards in the Detroit Red Wings organization, the battle for a regular roster spot in 2019-20 begins in earnest in training camp.

But Hirose, just two games into his NHL career, has made a favorable impression.

The free-agent left wing from Michigan State, signed just 10 days ago, has picked up an assist in each of his first two games and earned praise from teammates and coach Jeff Blashill.

“Poise, vision. It looks like he wants to make a play every time he has the puck,” Blashill told media following Thursday’s 5-2 loss at St. Louis. “Seems to be fairly slippery. Early in the first he got squeezed off right away in the corner in the O-zone. We made a comment to him about spreading the zone and right away the next shift, he goes out and he spreads the zone. He seems to be pretty smart. So far I think he’s done a real good job.”

Hirose isn’t big (5-10, 160) but is considered a cerebral player who likes to control the puck and facilitate teammates. He’s played on a line with Frans Nielsen and Thomas Vanek.

“Those guys make it so easy to play out there,” Hirose said on DetroitRedWings.com. “We’re always talking on the bench, just trying to pick their brains and get as much information as I can and I felt like I was able to hold onto the puck a little longer and maybe not as nervous the entire game, to not make mistakes, go out there and play my game. In that sense a little bit more comfortable.”

After logging 13:44 in his debut Tuesday against the New York Rangers, Hirose played 16:12 at St. Louis.

The Red Wings continue the road swing Saturday at Vegas (10 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). The Golden Knights (42-27-5) are 10-1 in their past 11, have outscored their past three opponents 18-6 and are likely to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Hirose, 22, will be among a group of forwards competing for roster spots next season, a list that likely will include first-round picks Evgeny Svechnikov, Michael Rasmussen, Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno and whoever they select with their top pick this year, as well as Christoffer Ehn and fellow free-agent signee Ryan Kuffner.

Hirose led the NCAA in points (50, including 15 goals), was Big Ten player of the year and is among 10 initial finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. The final three will be announced on April 4 and the winner revealed April 12 during the Frozen Four in Buffalo.

“He’s a smart player. Playing with him is actually real easy,” Vanek said. “The poise he has, it’s fun to play with a guy like that who thinks the game at a high level. You can tell right away, and he’s not afraid to make plays, cut to the middle and hold on to pucks. Really impressed so far with him.”