Draper ready for Game 1, but Stuart is 'questionable'

[40#1Fan 0]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/04/of..._ready_for.html

The Free Press's Helene St. James checked in with Red Wings GM Ken Holland as to the status of several of the Wings' injured players on Monday night as the Wings had an off-day on Monday, and the news regarding Brad Stuart isn't good:

April 8, Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings should have a better handle after today's practice whom they'll have available Thursday when their playoff series with Nashville begins. General manager Ken Holland said Monday that defenseman Brad Stuart, out since March 19 with a broken finger, remains questionable.

"It's how he feels," Holland said. "Can he shoot, can he pass, can he only do things with one hand... conditioning-wise, he's in great shape."

Forward Mikael Samuelsson has been sidelined by a groin injury, and even if skating today goes well, the Wings prefer to have players go through three or four practices before returning.

Kris Draper, also nursing a groin injury, is doing so well he'll be ready when the Wings host Nashville in Game 1. Kirk Maltby (hamstring) might play if the first round goes deep.

Holland also said extension talks for coach Mike Babcock haven't progressed, and thus, negotiations will not resume again until after the playoffs.

MLive.com's own Ansar Khan says that Holland isn't concerned about Babcock's contract status.

[96warrior 11]

Kirk Maltby's injury is worse than I thought. "Might be able to play if the first round goes deep"??

[TheStrom 0]

Kirk Maltby's injury is worse than I thought. "Might be able to play if the first round goes deep"??

Hopefully he doesn't need to play in the first round and save him for the second round.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

crap

is all I can really say about Stuart. He'd be really helpful to us if he was 100%. Even if he plays now he's not going to be as big of a help that he could be.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I hate to say it, but this is starting to remind me of last year. Let's hope that changes soon.

Also, does anyone know what Nashville's injury situation is like. I know Sullivan has been out all year, but I don't know what the rest of their roster is like health wise.

[Superman54 91]

sucks about Stewie, espicially not having him 100%

Good to see drapes back though, need his faceoff wins

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I hate to say it, but this is starting to remind me of last year. Let's hope that changes soon.

Also, does anyone know what Nashville's injury situation is like. I know Sullivan has been out all year, but I don't know what the rest of their roster is like health wise.

According to CBS Sportsline:

Edited April 8, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Zion 93]

REST THEM.

Fortunately, we should be able to beat Nashville. Until that first loss comes, rest all "questionable" players until then.

[VM1138 1,921]

Hopefully he doesn't need to play in the first round and save him for the second round.

I'm glad Draper will be back, he's crucial. We would've needed Maltby and Stuart, but maybe the young guys will bring their play to another level, like they did last year, and we won't miss them too much.

I'm hoping the Wings can end this series quickly and with little damage so we can buy some resting time for some players who are on the Bubble.

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

i think Legwand is hurt with a deep bruise i read somewhere .. Sullivan is done for this season .. Gelinas and ORtmeyer have knee problems but i dont know if they are daytoday or waht.. Has anyone predicted a playoff line up?

Pav-Z-Homer

Fil-Franzen-Cleary

huds-drapes-Sammy

Mac-Drake-downey? .. the 3rd and fourth lines is where it gets weird for me

[Firehawk 305]

If we have a problem beating this banged up Nashville team, then we don't deserve to play in the 2nd round, simple as that. Rest Maltby and Stuart, the Wings should be able to win in 5 regardless if they have those players in or not.

Let's hope the wings make it out of this first round without any further damage. YOu know TooToo will be hitting some of our key players. I hope Downey iced those fists down...

[Reds4Life 51]

I would play Stuart since 2nd round. We can beat Predators without him. Good to hear Drapes is back..

Thanks for the update!

[Aussie_Wing 354]

i think Legwand is hurt with a deep bruise i read somewhere .. Sullivan is done for this season .. Gelinas and ORtmeyer have knee problems but i dont know if they are daytoday or waht.. Has anyone predicted a playoff line up?

Pav-Z-Homer

Fil-Franzen-Cleary

huds-drapes-Sammy

Mac-Drake-downey? .. the 3rd and fourth lines is where it gets weird for me

If Sammy is still out, does that mean Abdelkader plays?

[rick zombo 3,739]

Pure speculation:

Zetterberg - Datsyuk - Homer

Filpulla - Franzen - Hudler

Cleary - Draper - Drake

McCarty - Hartigan - Downey

Slip Cleary in on the second line if needed.

For the first few games, and quite possibly for the entire first round, you're looking at a short bench folks.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I don't want it to happen, but does anyone else think Hudler will be on one of the last 2 lines? We all know PP time decreases during the playoffs so I'm worried he won't be seeing much ice-time.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

According to CBS Sportsline:

Thanks for that.

I didn't know about Legwand's injury, but they still have skilled players like Arnott, Erat, Dumont, Radulov. We're still better on paper, but that doesn't mean squat.

However, as someone already posted, if we can't beat Nashville then something is seriously wrong with this team.

[Superman54 91]

If Sammy is still out, does that mean Abdelkader plays?

god I hope so

This kid plays physical, works hard, and considering he has loved the Wings for his whole life, He will completly energetic for the playoffs

[96warrior 11]

From the Macomb Daily:

Tuesday's practice

The Red Wings have just started on-ice preparation for the post-season. Neither Kirk Maltby (hamstring) nor Mikael Samuelsson (groin) are skating at all today.

Also, Darren Helm nor Jonathan Ericsson -- call-ups for the season-finale last Sunday -- are on the ice. Here are the practice lines for today ...

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Cleary-Flippula-Franzen

Hudler-Draper-Abdelkader

McCarty-Hartigan-Downey

Drake

[96warrior 11]

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

Mikael Samuelsson skated on his own after practice. It was the third time that the forward worked out on the ice since being sidelined with a groin injury. Samuelsson said after his workout that he's hopeful that he can play in Thursday's Game 1, but it's very much an injury that you have to wait to see how your body reacts to a workout.

-- Brad Stuart said that he's on track for returning for Game 1. Coach Mike Babcock said that he's "hopeful" that Stuart will be back. The defenseman's shooting, however, might still be a problem.-- Kris Draper (groin) is definitely in the lineup Thursday and will center Jiri Hudler and Justin Abdelkader.

-- Dallas Drake said that he's ready to play Thursday and thinks he's going to be in the lineup.

-- Kirk Maltby (hamstring) did not skate today.

[40#1Fan 0]

Update from the Detroit News:

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

Posted by Ted Kulfan on Tue, Apr 8, 2008 at 1:33 PM

Tuesday morning update

Mikael Samuelsson hasn't ruled out playing in Game 1 Thursday against Nashville. "Me, in my mind, no," said Samuelsson, who missed the last couple weeks of the regular season with a sore groin. Samuelsson skated after practice Tuesday and was optimistic with his progress. "I felt pretty good," said Samuelsson, who wasn't expected to be ready until later in the series. "I'll skate again tomorrow and see how I feel." Kris Draper (groin) and Brad Stuart (broken finger) will both be in the line up, but Kirk Maltby (hamnstring) will miss the opener, if not, the first several games. There was a definite feel of the playoff hockey Tuesday as preparations began for the series. "The weather should be nicer," said Dominik Hasek, who was eagerly anticipating Al Sobotka's barbecue, another playoff opener staple. "But it's the best time of the year."

[wingslogo19 281]

Thanks for the updates guys

Here's some more I found

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...y_in_the_o.html

Edited April 8, 2008 by wingslogo19

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

YAY STEWIE!

[Superman54 91]

so if Sammy comes back, Abs is gone then....

God I hope not, I love this kid! Id rather see Hartigan sit

[redwings56 1]

i think Legwand is hurt with a deep bruise i read somewhere .. Sullivan is done for this season .. Gelinas and ORtmeyer have knee problems but i dont know if they are daytoday or waht.. Has anyone predicted a playoff line up?

Pav-Z-Homer

Fil-Franzen-Cleary

huds-drapes-Sammy

Mac-Drake-downey? .. the 3rd and fourth lines is where it gets weird for me

Don't forget Abdeldakar. Is he playing in the playoffs? anyone know?

I think he will be in for Sammy in a 3rd line role, it will be either Hudler or Cleary then in that 3rd line with Draper and Abdeldakar.

[daniel1 32]

If Stuart can't shoot (broken finger), I would rather see Meech in for Downey or Mac so he can man the point on the second PP unit with Kronwall. It's either that or we give Cheli that PP time he's been clamoring for, lol.