Brian-Lashoff-9-19-14

Red Wings defenseman Brian Lashoff appeared in 80 games in 2013-14, regular season and playoffs.

(Mike Mulholland/MLive.com)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have a group of promising defense prospects making a push for a roster spot.

Xavier Ouellet looks NHL-ready. Alexey Marchenko, Ryan Sproul and Mattias Backman might not be far behind. Nick Jensen has potential.

If any of them has designs on making the season-opening roster, he'll have to supplant an experienced NHL defenseman.

Brian Lashoff won't be the odd-man out, however. His job is safe.

"Lash isn't in any trouble," coach Mike Babcock said before Saturday's preseason game against the Boston Bruins at Joe Louis Arena.

"Lash trained like crazy," Babcock said. "Lash is smart. Lash does a good job penalty killing. Lash is what he is."

He's a stay-at-home defenseman whose job is to play a safe, simple game; limit mistakes and get the puck to a forward as quick as possible.

Lashoff probably will start the season as the Red Wings' seventh defenseman.

"There's a spot on the team for everybody, and everyone just assumes that when a new guy comes he's taking over for one of the guys on the fourth line (or bottom defense pairing)," Babcock said. "No. You do what you do. We're looking for guys who can move the puck. So it isn't necessarily that they (defense prospects) are slotting in this role."

Babcock said the same applies to Jakub Kindl, meaning don't expect him to be replaced by a young defenseman.

"We're in the market for a top-four D," Babcock said. "We're dying to give it to somebody. There's lots of minutes for you."

If a young defenseman isn't replacing Lashoff or Kindl, then he's probably starting the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, because he's not replacing Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Danny DeKeyser, Kyle Quincey or Brendan Smith.

Lashoff, 24, isn't taking anything for granted. The undrafted native of Albany, N.Y., bucked the odds by reaching the NHL during the lockout-shortened 2013 season, getting promoted from the Grand Rapids Griffins after the Red Wings were inundated by injuries.

"I don't think I've had a camp where I've come in and it wasn't a battle since I was 18," Lashoff said. "I enjoy it. It gets me ready for the season. It gives me motivation to train in the summer. I know there's competition for spots and it's a good thing; it makes everyone better. I'm ready to fight for my spot."

After being a healthy scratch the first four games last season, Lashoff played in 80 of the final 83, including all five playoff games vs. the Bruins.

"Coming up when the lockout ended was big for me, kind of gave me the confidence to know I can play in the league," Lashoff said. "Last year, unfortunately we had a lot of injuries but I was able to stay healthy and play a lot of games. I got more comfortable as the year went on and I think it's something I can use going into this year."

Lashoff has two goals, nine assists and a minus-12 rating in 106 NHL games.

"I think I expect a lot more out of myself knowing that I can be here and I use that as motivation going into the year," he said.

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