Wings' Tomas Jurco a force in audition as top-six forward

The first day of training camp, Tomas Jurco suddenly received an opportunity to audition for a top-six job.

He drew one penalty, took another, and was a force on the first goal scored Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Blackhawks, 4-1 in an exhibition game.

Jurco was in front of Corey Crawford when Tomas Tatar scored midway through the first period.

"He created the first goal by driving the net," Brad Richards said of Jurco. "That allowed me and Tats to cross and create that opening. If he doesn't drive, it's probably a dead play.

"It's probably not as glamorous as some of the other stuff he can do, but for a line to work, some nights someone has to do that. That was a big help."

Jurco was inserted onto the Wings' second line after Darren Helm suffered a concussion and separated shoulder on opening day. Helm was on a line with Richards and Tatar to provide spark and speed, and Jurco likewise needs to bring energy to the group. He was told as much by coach Jeff Blashill, who knows Jurco well from coaching him in Grand Rapids from 2012-2013.

"I hope Jurcs takes great advantage of this," Blashill said Wednesday. "The biggest thing we've talked about is making sure he does a good job skating and being on the puck, providing some of the tenacity — and I've got to explain what tenacity means in Slovak — but providing some of the tenacity that Helmer brings to the table. We think that he's got a real good skill set. He just has to take advantage of the opportunity."

Jurco, 22, has been with the Wings since mid-December 2013, when he was called up from Grand Rapids to help offset injuries. Jurco provided 15 points in his first 36 NHL games but looked more like the very young player he still is last season, when he went months between goals and scored just three among 18 points in 63 games.

Jurco said last season helped him "to be mentally stronger," but otherwise he is reluctant to look back. "I didn't have great last season, but it is over and I am excited for new season," he said. "Richie is a great forward. I can see he has been a leader everywhere he has been. He has great shot. I am excited to be on line with him, I think I can bring some speed, and maybe we can use it together with his skill. I just have to play my game and try to stay in top-three lines."

Tatar, Jurco's fellow Slovakian, sees no reason Jurco can't do what Tatar did last year when he jumped lines to play with Pavel Datsyuk.

"Jurcy, we all know he has great hands and he is a good forward," Tatar said. "He just has to establish himself. I think he will be able to play on top-six line, and maybe his chance is coming now. You can see in practice, he loves hockey again, and it is good to see."

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Check out our new Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!

Tonight: Penguins

Matchup: Pittsburgh at Red Wings, exhibition.

Face-off: 7:30, Joe Louis Arena.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Detroit, WXYT-FM (97.1).