Update (4:00 PM): Ansar Khan says Pavel Datsyuk has the flu. Let’s hope it’s not the same “flu” that Nashville’s Jason Arnott had for Games 5 and 6 of the first round. Khan also quotes Babcock as saying Datsyuk will be back at the Joe tomorrow after spending today at home.
Khan also has more from Babcock on Kirk Maltby and Darren Helm. Basically, Babcock isn’t sure if Malts will be ready to go for Game 1, and he sounds too impressed with Helm to insert #18 anyway.
In another post, Khan reports that Tomas Kopecky (torn ACL, sprained MCL) underwent surgery today in Alabama. He’s expected to take 4-6 months to recover, so it’s possible he’ll miss the start of the season. - Matt
Update (1:14 PM): MacLeod has updated as promised:
Pavel Datsyuk is “sick,” though the team isn’t saying what he’s got. The best bet is that it’s “banged-up-itis” given that Piet Van Zant’s immediate prescription was more home rest. Babcock assured MacLeod that Pavel will “be ready to go” for the second round.
Brad Stuart missed practice because he returned home to California to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.
Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is awaiting medical clearance, but even if he gets it, he’s not a lock to play. Babcock told the media “that he doesn’t like to change the lineup when things are going well.” If Babcock opts to stand pat, he’ll be choosing Darren Helm’s youthful exuberance over Kirk Maltby’s 137 games of playoff experience.
I’m not sure how I feel on that. Do you remember Maltby much this season? Me either. Darren Helm, on the other hand, stood out and has a lot going for him in terms of speed and offensive upside. Then again, Kirk Maltby has a ton of playoff experience and after watching the ramped-up performances of Dallas Drake, Darren McCarty, and Kris Draper, it’s easy to value that above youth. Helm, though, gives the Wings a bona fide fourth-line center, a role Maltby can’t fill. But Babcock won’t be as quick to trust Helm with killing penalties. Of course, Maltby will be returning from a hamstring injury, which likely means a lost step or two. What do you think?
Also, Nick Lidstrom is, predictably enough, a Norris Trophy finalist. His competition is Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf. - Matt
Bruce MacLeod reports from practice:
Pavel Datsyuk was not on the ice, though MacLeod doesn’t think there’s any reason to think it’s worse than normal playoff bumps and bruises. He promises to ask for more information, so expect an update on that later.
Brad Stuart also did not practice. The obvious reason for that is his finger, which is still healing. However, in light of Stuart’s absence, it is interesting that Jonathan Ericsson practiced “with the varsity” rather than separately with his fellow Grand Rapids call-ups. Even with Stuart out, there are eight defensemen participating (Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Chelios, Lilja, Lebda, Meech, and Ericsson).
Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is practicing, so his return could come soon.
MacLeod says the team used the same lines that played in Game 6, though, with Datsyuk out, Maltby and Mark Hartigan working in on the top line. Aaron Downey got reps with the fourth line.
My immediate reaction is that Maltby and Helm are very different players, but their value seems to be a wash at this point. Given that, I’d go with Helm. He really showed something inthe last game and he deserves a chance to show more. As you said, Maltby has been a bit invisible this season.
I always tend to react adversely to the “they’ve earned it with their years experience” line, and I’m not going to pretend I don’t feel a tiny bit smug about Osgood’s mutiny over Hasek, whom i don’t much care for.
Helm played good, but common man, this is Maltby!
Maltby’s talent for getting into the head of opponents and making them take stupid penalties is something that Sean Avery can only dream of… and that’s a great situation to put Colorado or Calgary in.
I understand that he didn’t have a very strong season, but neither did Drake or Mac… I say Maltby plays.
In my opinion, the only question is wether to get nostalgic and put the Grind Line back together.
Something Sean Avery can only dream of? I don’t think so man… I hate Avery as much as the next guy, but his reputation as a league-wide pest has far superceded Maltby’s by this point. I mean, the league just changed the rulebook for the guy.
Ian,
For those reasons, I guess I lean toward Helm.
Tim,
I’m with Ian - Maltby hasn’t been that a superpest for a while now. Right now, his greatest assets are his PK ability and experience, not his ability to get in the heads of opponents.
You do make a good point, though, when you bring up Drake and Mac. Those two have surprised me, so there’s no reason to believe Maltby won’t. However, I’d rather see that spot filled by merit and as long as Helm plays like he did Sunday, it should be his spot.
Dats should be ok he did not have Ratatalov sit on his face, if I were Arnott I would have been puking too.