DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have lost a couple of young forwards on waivers the past few days in Martin Frk and Teemu Pulkkinen but did not want to lose defenseman Ryan Sproul.

Sproul capitalized on his opportunity to make the season-opening roster. He's played only one NHL game during his three years as a pro, but the Red Wings like his potential - he's big (6-4, 211) and has a tremendous right-handed shot with offensive upside.

"It's obviously a great feeling," Sproul said Tuesday, after learning he's on the team. "It's been a long time coming, it feels like. I'm very happy to have finally made a spot on this team."

Now he must crack the lineup. Right now, it appears Sproul is the seventh defenseman and will be a healthy scratch for the season opener Thursday at Tampa Bay. When Niklas Kronwall is activated (he won't play Thursday but could return any time after), Sproul will be moved down another notch on the depth chart.

"I've just got to keep working," Sproul, 23, said. "It's going to be a lot of practicing and a lot of working out if you're not in the lineup. They know I can play. I know I can play, so if I get my chance, then I'm going to take advantage of it.

"I feel more confident. Obviously, making the team is a lot of confidence my way, which is a good thing. It's very nice to be up here."

Shoring up his defensive play is the main priority.

"I don't want to lose the offense, but I'm a little bit quicker in the D-zone and I think I did work on that over the preseason," Sproul said.

Pulkkinen odd-man out

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he tried trading both Martin Frk and Teemu Pulkkinen before putting them on waivers but found no takers. Teams are reluctant to part with even a low draft pick for such players this time of year because many can be had on waivers for no cost.

The Minnesota Wild claimed Pulkkinen on Tuesday.

"Obviously, we've got an abundance of (forwards), especially wingers in the organization, so in two days we've lost two wingers that obviously we didn't have in our top 13, otherwise they'd still be here," coach Jeff Blashill said. "Every organization has different needs. Teemu's done an unreal job of working for me over the course of four years now. I wish him the best."

Injury updates

Defenseman Brendan Smith didn't practice Tuesday because he was "banged up," but Blashill expects him to be ready for Thursday.

"I don't know what you'd call that one, mid-body?" Blashill said. "I think Smitty's going to fine, but from a precautionary standpoint, he had to sit out today. But as of right this moment I expect him to play Thursday."

Blashill said Niklas Kronwall, who's on short-term injured reserve due to his ailing knee, won't play Thursday. He is eligible to come off IR at any time, since it was retroactive to the preseason.

Zetterberg gets rest

Henrik Zetterberg, who was dealing with a knee issue in training camp and the preseason, didn't practice Tuesday. He will be rested at times this season.

"It's a fine balance between if you don't skate at all, it's hard to have your legs going," Blashill said. "But we're grinding out there today. We're out there for almost an hour. That's a long practice. He's taken lots of wear and tear over his time. I want him as fresh and as ready on Thursday as possible. That will be something we'll monitor over the course of the season. We did at times last season as well."