Filppula's cast off, Leino healthy scratch

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

For all who have been wondering about val's status, here's a small update.

http://vyous.com/sports/nhl/redwings/2009/...roit-free-press

[newfy 695]

Hopefully won't be long now til he's in the line up.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

Hopefully won't be long now til he's in the line up.

We can only hope. I just hope the wrist doesn't slow him down at all. We need to get that val/hank/leino line together after leino's sabbatical is overwith lmao. Hopefully that'll light some fire under leino knowing that the line he was best on would be reunited.

[Statts 4]

Article also mentions Leino will be a healthy scratch again tomorrow.

[newfy 695]

We can only hope. I just hope the wrist doesn't slow him down at all. We need to get that val/hank/leino line together after leino's sabbatical is overwith lmao. Hopefully that'll light some fire under leino knowing that the line he was best on would be reunited.

That wrist shouldnt affect his game too much, I mean all he does is pass. Its not like he needs his wrist for a wrist shot or something, he doesnt take them anyways haha

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

That wrist shouldnt affect his game too much, I mean all he does is pass. Its not like he needs his wrist for a wrist shot or something, he doesnt take them anyways haha

Lmao very very true, but the wrist is crucial in passing.

[Theophany 110]

We can only hope. I just hope the wrist doesn't slow him down at all. We need to get that val/hank/leino line together after leino's sabbatical is overwith lmao. Hopefully that'll light some fire under leino knowing that the line he was best on would be reunited.

Filppula won't be playing anything but center when he's back. I know people wish otherwise, but Filppula centering the second line (with how we're set up currently) allows Babcock to put Zetterberg and Datsyuk on the first line.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

Lmao very very true, but the wrist is crucial in passing.

yeah... passing.. that's what it's called

[skyphoenix 153]

Coach Mike Babcock said forward Ville Leino will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game Wednesday against St. Louis at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings will use the same lineup they went with in Sunday's game at the Rangers. Justin Abdelkader will get some minutes centering the second line when Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are playing together.

Drew Miller might play center on occasion on the fourth line.

Here are the lines they practiced with:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Bertuzzi-Abdelkader-Cleary (Leino working in)

Draper-Helm-Eaves

May-Miller-Maltby

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Stuart-Lebda

Ericsson-Meech

Lilja (IR)

Howard (starting)

Osgood

Center Valtteri Filppula had the cast removed from his broken right wrist on Sunday. He wore a splint while skating by himself after practice. He will start skating more and said he remains on schedule to return later this month.

"Now I'll try to get the movement back slowly, get the strength back; it's going to take a while, but hopefully not too long,'' Filppula said. "It's really stiff, so I have to be patient with it.''

He's not yet ready to stick-handle or shoot.

"Got to get the strength back first, then I can start stick-handling and do other stuff on the ice,'' Filppula said. "I think I'm pretty much on track."

Source: MLive

Great news about Filppula! Cannot wait until he can return.

Edited December 9, 2009 by skyphoenix

[edicius 3,269]

Let the injured begin to return. Speaking of which, when's Williams due back? I don't remember the timetable on his injury.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Good call Babs. And good news for Fil, hurry back, our C depth is pitiful with Zetterberg and Datsyk together.

[skyphoenix 153]

I think he's expected back either late this month or early January. His timetable was 8 weeks, I believe.

Also, another article that talks about Abdelkader being on the second line and why Leino has to be scratched right now:

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock hesitates to thrust Justin Abdelkader into a role he is not quite ready for, but his options are limited.

Ville Leino is struggling and will be scratched for the second consecutive game Wednesday against St. Louis. The club needs to play Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk together to generate offense. It does not have many alternatives for the second-line center spot.

That is why Abdelkader played a few shifts on the second line, with Dan Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi, and assumed the net-front role on the second power-play unit Sunday against the New York Rangers.

The 22-year-old rookie likely will move back and forth from the second line to his regular fourth-line center slot against the Blues.

“It’s probably force-feeding him a little bit. We like to do things on an ad-earn basis around here,” Babcock said. “It’s not that he hasn’t played well but it’s obviously (because of) the injuries (to Valtteri Filppula, Johan Franzen and Jason Williams), and then I played Pav and Z together so I’m short on centers.

Abdelkader was projected to spend another season in Grand Rapids (AHL), but injuries changed that plan.

“He has some ability to play the game big and hard, and that’s what we want him to continue to do,” Babcock said. “What I always concern myself with is when you get players ahead of where they’re supposed to be and they’re trying to do things they’re not comfortable with, they usually don’t play as well.”

Abdelkader said he is excited about the opportunity.

“I have confidence in myself that I can play with those guys and keep up and skate with them,” Abdelkader said. “The best part is I don’t really have to change too much. Just kind of play the same type of game.

“You’re counted on more to score and get chances. You’re playing with really skilled guys. I’ve always had that put on my shoulders throughout my career, so it’s nothing too new.”

He filled the net-front power-play role with Grand Rapids (AHL) last season and has been watching how Tomas Holmstrom and Cleary do it.

“Maybe a little extra padding, couple of extra whacks you get in front,” Abdelkader said. “But it all comes with the territory. You got to be ready for it.”

Abdelkader does not have Leino’s offensive potential, but he brings more strength and grit.

“He’s willing to go to the hard areas and he skates very well,” Cleary said. “But as a young player, it takes time to kind of figure things out. I think he’s been real good for us.”

Drew Miller practiced in Abdelkader’s fourth-line center spot Tuesday, between Brad May and Kirk Maltby, and might play some shifts there tonight.

“I still have to work on faceoffs a little bit and be stronger in the defensive zone and down low,” Miller said. “(Center) is a position I’ve played before, so I feel comfortable being in it.”

Edited December 9, 2009 by skyphoenix

[Carman 387]

Sounds good. Should be a winnable game vs. those pesky Blues.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Is this front page suddenly a blog roll?

[WorkingOvertime 536]

I'm excited to see what Abby can do on the 2nd line. He's been playing very hard and physical this year. Hopefully he can work into an offensive grove and move up from the 4th line to get the minutes he needs to develop.

[skyphoenix 153]

Hm. I checked the first page of posts and didn't see this anywhere! Weird.

Thanks for merging, whoever did it

I'm seriously considering getting an Abdelkader jersey, but I want to make sure he's going to be here for a long time.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Abdelkader on the second line? Yes please!

Not a whole lot has been said about his play this season but I think he's been real solid; strong defensively and also playing physical. He deserves this oppertunity.

[titanium2 867]

Hm. I checked the first page of posts and didn't see this anywhere! Weird.

Thanks for merging, whoever did it

I'm seriously considering getting an Abdelkader jersey, but I want to make sure he's going to be here for a long time.

I wonder if he's going to change his number as well.

[skyphoenix 153]

I wonder if he's going to change his number as well.

Another good point. I hope he stays with 8 (it's my lucky number, being born on 8-28-88).

[redwingfan19 293]

this is great news. I think Abby is going to do great on the second line. If those guys can click together bert/abby/clears could be a dominate line

[titanium2 867]

Another good point. I hope he stays with 8 (it's my lucky number, being born on 8-28-88).

Kind of like... well his name rhymes with Frosby.

Larionov had that number for the longest time and so it's a little unusual to see someone else with that number. At the same time, Igor's number when he was with the KLM line was 11. I think that one was more important to him. In saying that, it's a little infuriating to see Meech wear Shanny's 14.

[skyphoenix 153]

Kind of like... well his name rhymes with Frosby.

Larionov had that number for the longest time and so it's a little unusual to see someone else with that number. At the same time, Igor's number when he was with the KLM line was 11. I think that one was more important to him. In saying that, it's a little infuriating to see Meech wear Shanny's 14.

Yes, Unfortunately

I also agree that it sucks watching Meech skate in the 14.

[cupforwings 138]

Abdelkader on the second line? Yes please!

Not a whole lot has been said about his play this season but I think he's been real solid; strong defensively and also playing physical. He deserves this oppertunity.

Finally. Abdelkadar deserves this chance. He has been playing and working hard the whole year while Leino continues to struggle and coast along. Hopefully and can make something out of this opportunity... that would be great.

[Kira 451]

Finally some encouraging news on the injury front. Be patient, Val, but get your butt back in gear soon, please. We need you!