Will Homer be ready for playoffs?

[40#1Fan 0]

http://info.detnews.com/redesign/blogs/win...FTOKEN=66389892

It's beginning to get to the point where the Red Wings are wondering whether Tomas Holmstrom will be ready for the start of the playoffs. Holmstrom will have further tests Wednesday to determine the extent of his abdominal injury. Holmstrom missed his ninth consecutive game (hasn't played since March 5) Tuesday in St. Louis and a setback Monday in practice had him frustrated and concerned. "I felt maybe I could play today (Tuesday) or, at least, Friday and now it's a real setback, it's really tough," said Holmstrom, who got treatment Tuesday but didn't go on the ice. He was visibly frustrated Monday during practice at Joe Louis Arena, slamming his stick against the boards as he walked off the ice. "It hurts, and you're concerned about it when it crops up like that. It's frustrating," Holmstrom said. "I did some battling drills and something happened. It became more and more sore, and I skated, but I felt it was better to come off. "It was beginning to feel good. Now, (it feels) I pulled it again." "You're always concerned when you have an injured player and you're two weeks out (until the playoffs," said general manger Ken Holland said. "We'll wait and see." Coach Mike Babcock said he expects Valtteri Filppula (groin) to play Friday and there's a chance Darren McCarty (ribs) will get his first opportunity to play in his comeback with the Wings

[#19=Legend 29]

Although I dont think he will be 100% come playoff time, (just by reading what homer said about the injury) I think he will play.

I mean come on, this is the NHL Playoffs after all.

Holmstom knows his team needs him, and I belive he will battle through it.

[ilmickeyli 40]

as much as i love homer, just let him rest until he is as close to 100% as possible... franzen has been doing well -- we aren't suffering TOO bad..

if we play him too early in the playoffs, he could just be a mess the whole postseason.

[PenaltyShot 96 521]

I hate groin and abdominal injuries, they always seem so insignificant and then the guy is sidelined for weeks. Get well soon Homer!!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

as much as i love homer, just let him rest until he is as close to 100% as possible... franzen has been doing well -- we aren't suffering TOO bad..

if we play him too early in the playoffs, he could just be a mess the whole postseason.

I completely agree. Franzen has developed a real knack for the goal front during the PP while Homer's been out, and with the success the Wings are having on the PP, there's no need to rush him. He probably won't be 100% for the playoff run but like you said, as close to 100% as possible.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

This is not good news. We can't win the Cup unless all our key players are healthy and able. Even though Franzen has played well, Homer being out is a big blow to our top 6.

I just hope we don't have to go through the same injuries that we had last year in the playoffs.

[umredwing11 2]

I just read an mlive article about Homer...and he was asked if he thought his abdominal strain was a hernia, and Homer's response was "I don't know." That worries me a bit...if his new tests reveal a hernia, the playoffs could be a long shot for him.

Edited March 25, 2008 by umredwing11

[arnoldbuck 0]

I just read an mlive article about Homer...and he was asked if he thought his abdominal strain was a hernia, and Homer's response was "I don't know." That worries me a bit...if his new tests reveal a hernia, the playoffs could be a long shot for him.

Hernia's fackin suck. I had one last year, and I was sidelined for a good stem. Sakic had one earlire this year, and he missed liek 20+. Lets pray thats not the sitchiation.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

I belive, 100% or not, he will play. He knows how important this is, and he won't strain himself, but i belive he will play in the first playoff game, if not sooner

[wingslogo19 281]

There's no point IMO, that he should come back till playoff time. Let him rest, i know that will be tough for his cardio but let him rest till playoffs.. We all know that players play through pain during that time

The Mule has been doing great while taking Homer's role

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

I agree, but its all up to him. I would have him resting till the playoffs, but you know he'll want to play before that

[VM1138 1,921]

I agree, but its all up to him. I would have him resting till the playoffs, but you know he'll want to play before that

I would let him rest even after the start of playoffs, but CONDITIONALLY.

For instance, he doesn't need to play the first game. The Wings are doing fine for the moment. If they win Game 1, let him rest Game 2 as well. If they lose, and it's obvious they need his presence in front of the net, then let him play if he wants.

There's no reason to start him Game 1 if he's not ready.

[OsGOD 3]

Holmer will be ready... the rest of the guys... we shall see

[Zion 93]

"I would let him rest even after the start of playoffs, but CONDITIONALLY.

For instance, he doesn't need to play the first game. The Wings are doing fine for the moment. If they win Game 1, let him rest Game 2 as well. If they lose, and it's obvious they need his presence in front of the net, then let him play if he wants.

There's no reason to start him Game 1 if he's not ready."

I agree 100%. That is EXACTLY what the team should do.

Edited March 25, 2008 by Zion

[Reds4Life 51]

I think we can go through first round without Homer, let him rest is the best atm

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

I would let him rest even after the start of playoffs, but CONDITIONALLY.

I think it all depends on who they paly that first round. If it's someone they can take on easily, then rest him, but if they need him in front of the net, then they should play him

[Deke 0]

I'd love to see Homer back, but this situation really has given Franzen a chance to shine. In my opinion his play as of recent has been better than what Homer was producing. It'll be great to have them both playing the "front office" position. However, when Homer does come back, I would rather see Franzen stay out there with the first defensive unit. He's really doing well out there when he has Nicky and Ralfi to blast the puck his way.

[kylee 727]

Homer is starting to worry me.... i hope he comes back soon. :[

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

What it all comes down to is the decision of the trainers and himself. He'll come back when he's all patched up

[KDDRWINGS1 9]

Can't tom cruise use the miracles of scientology to heal him? Anyways I think he'll be back with Stuart and be ready to crush the Sucks in the 2nd or 3rd round. Plus once this Mccarty kid we've been hearing about gets his chance we'll all be saying "Homer who?".

[redwings56 1]

I'd love to see Homer back, but this situation really has given Franzen a chance to shine. In my opinion his play as of recent has been better than what Homer was producing. It'll be great to have them both playing the "front office" position. However, when Homer does come back, I would rather see Franzen stay out there with the first defensive unit. He's really doing well out there when he has Nicky and Ralfi to blast the puck his way.

What does Homer coming back have to do with Franzen being on the first defensive unit? Anyway, i like Franzen, he has great hands and he is shifty.

[tiff_luvs_homer 5]

Get well soon Homer!

I can understand why he's getting so frustrated, poor guy...