Injury Update on Lidstrom, Chelios and Cleary (Free Press)

[96warrior 11]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...3/1053/SPORTS05

Updates on Lidstrom, Chelios and Cleary

A quick update from the morning skate here at Joe Louis Arena, where tonight the Red Wings play the St. Louis Blues: Nicklas Lidstrom is all but sure to play Sunday, and Dan Cleary is now expected to play by the end of March.

Lidstrom, who suffered a sprained right knee Feb. 18 at Colorado, skated again today and reported improvement.

“I’m hoping for Sunday,’” he said. “I’m feeling a little bit sluggish because I’ve only skated for two days, and I just want to get a few more practices under my belt.”

Chris Chelios, who suffered a chipped right fibula Feb. 22 at Calgary, also skated, but isn’t improving.

“Actually, not at all, to be honest with you,” Chelios said. “The key is, it’s not worse than it was. I skated hard today and we’ll see how it feels later today and tomorrow, but I’m being optimistic here that it’s on its way to getting better. I’m not close.”

Cleary, who suffered a broken jaw Feb. 9, is pretty much on schedule; he’d been expected to be ready to go the last three games of the season, which fall in April, but Mike Babcock said today that Cleary will play “near the end of the month.”

As for tonight, Jonathan Ericsson is in, and Derek Meech is a healthy scratch, Babcock said.

[wingslogo19 281]

Once again, thanks for the update

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If Lids thinks Sunday, I want him to wait one more game than that. He is the absolute most important piece of the puzzle on the Wings, and the coaching staff should be taking no chances with him. He's the one player the Wings can't afford to lose the rest of the season.

[Grittzkey 1]

Why why why is meech out?

why?

why?

why?

scratch lebda ffs

[irishtemper14+25 11]

well im glad ericson is still out there tonite

[yankeebaddabing 0]

Glad to hear everyone's return is on schedule , I trust the coaching staff on bringing our players back at 100%, but what is the deal with Chelios, sounds like he's still not sure???

On another note at least we had a big enough lead so these injuries did not really hurt us and we got to see our young kids play..

My 2 Cents

[Salviaman 104]

If Lids thinks Sunday, I want him to wait one more game than that. He is the absolute most important piece of the puzzle on the Wings, and the coaching staff should be taking no chances with him. He's the one player the Wings can't afford to lose the rest of the season.

Agreed, he should take as much time as he needs to heal up. Same with Cleary, and as for Chelios....welll you know he is Chelios, so he can come come back whenever he wants.

[Heaton 1]

Agreed, he should take as much time as he needs to heal up. Same with Cleary, and as for Chelios....welll you know he is Chelios, so he can come come back whenever he wants.

He's taken enough time, if he says he's ready, he's ready. You do not sit Lidstrom for an extra game just because. If Lidstrom himself,the doctors, Babcock and Holland are all satisfied with it, I'm satisfied. One more game won't do anything but put him behind.

Edited March 6, 2008 by Heaton

[Reds4Life 51]

Thanks for the update, hope to see our defense healthy soon

[dicksmack 33]

Ericsson all the way! His size exceeds Lilja's and Lilja's ineptitude surpasses a rookie's inexperience.

[kylee 727]

Cheli not getting any better?