On the Wings

Update (8:01 PM): George Malik has some observations well worth reading. - Matt

Update (7:03 PM): Red Wings TV has added an interview of Meech before the media. Derek mostly talks about getting back into a groove as far as his game goes. - Matt

Update (2:40 PM): Helene St. James has more, including quotes from Meech as well as Mike Babcock, and an alternate return date: January 17th.  - Matt

Ansar Khan reports that the Wings have re-assigned Derek Meech to the AHL on a conditioning stint.

As per Article 13.8 of the CBA (large PDF), Meech does not have to clear waivers to go down to Grand Rapids for conditioning and therefore is not in danger of being claimed by another team, though the League will review this move to ensure the Wings’ aren’t merely circumventing the waivers. The fact that Meech is little more than a 7th wheel on the Wings’ defensive bus, and that the team has no need to clear up roster space, has to mean there won’t be a problem.

He can only stay with the Griffins for 14 days, which will put him in six games and bring him back to Detroit just in time to accompany the Wings on their three-game California trip beginning January 19th.

This is a class move by the Wings. Meech has no doubt picked up a lot in practice watching guys like Nick Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, and Brian Rafalski, but there’s no substitute for actually playing. As a promising young defenseman, his career has in many ways been put on hold this year, so anything the Wings can do to get him playing time is a good thing.

Khan also reports that Tomas Holmstrom is looking at returning  either Sunday in Chicago or Tuesday versus Colorado.

Also, predictably, Dominik Hasek will start Saturday and will back up Chris Osgood on Sunday.