Ted Kulfan

The Detroit News

Detroit — There was no time for Riley Sheahan to think about where he was, or what was expected from him.

Called up from Grand Rapids in December, as the Red Wings were being decimated by injuries, Sheahan was thrown into the lineup – and he hasn't looked back since.

"You don't have time to think about it, and that helped," Sheahan said. "From a pressure part of it it's obviously still there, but you don't really let it affect you because at the time, you'd be letting the team down with all the injuries we had at that time."

Sheahan, 22, went on score 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 42 games and showed glimpses of being the big, strong, two-way-center the Red Wings (and every other NHL team) want in the lineup.

At 6-foot-2, 212-pounds Sheahan could become a difficult matchup for opponents.

"Obviously Sheahan is a big man who knows how to play," coach Mike Babcock said. "They (Notre Dame) did a great job with him playing without the puck but he makes great plays in tight (offensively), and he has a bomb (for a shot).

"He looks like he's evolving into a real good player."

Sheahan feels he can continue to grow offensively this season, in particular showing more consistency in the points column.

"I just want to be more confident with the puck in the offensive zone," Sheahan said. "I feel I can contribute a bit more in points, playing with some great players, and just trying to make some plays.

"Some games I've felt more confident with the puck, and that's just being consistent every game and trying to get more shots and make plays. That just comes with confidence and consistency."

Sheahan, though, and his line with Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco, struggled against the Penguins, in Wednesday's 2-0 loss.

"Not as good," Babcock said of the line's play. "They didn't take care of the puck good enough."

Almost over

The exhibition season is about getting ready for the regular season.

But often, it takes the veterans a while longer than rookies and minor leaguers to get up to speed.

Many Red Wings prospects participated in the prospects tournament in early September and were in game shape by the time training camp began.

"A lot of veteran players, it takes a while to get going," Babcock said. "The urgency isn't quite the same (in the preseason). That's just all part of whether you're engaged or not."

Ice chips

Forward Gustav Nyquist (knee) tested himself one more time in the morning skate, felt good, and played in Wednesday's game.

Nyquist played 19 minutes, 9 seconds with a team-high five shots on net.

… Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (hip flexor) hopes to play at least one more game this weekend. He practiced Wednesday and said he felt better.

Ericsson will also have to play through his crushed left middle finger, sustained in April, which likely won't feel right for another year.

"I'm not going to be able to use the finger as good as maybe I would want to," Ericsson said. "But your body adapts, like letting the other fingers kind of contribute more."

…The Red Wings may not get an answer from Daniel Alfredsson (lower back) as to whether he'll play another season. But does it bode well for Alfredsson, 41, to have missed the entire exhibition season?

"No," Babcock said.

… Forward Andrej Nestrasil replaced Kevin Porter (Northville/Michigan) in the lineup after Porter came down with a sore groin.

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