On the Wings

Update (2:50 PM): MacLeod now reports that Leino and Ericsson have been demoted. Quincey is sticking around while the team looks for trading partners.

This leaves the Wings with a 22-man roster, with three players (Chris Chelios, Darren McCarty, and Jimmy Howard) on the IR. They slide in just under the cap, but could pick up some space by trading Quincey. When Mac and Cheli return, they’ll have to make another move or two to stay below the limit. - Matt

Update (1:00 PM): MacLeod has another post on the roster situation up. Apparently, Quincey has a meeting with the front office at 1:30 pm today, and there is a 2:00 pm press conference scheduled. He was held out of practice despite the fact that he’s healthy.

MacLeod talked to Ericsson, and he suspects he’ll be headed to Grand Rapids soon. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports that the Wings have sent Darren Helm to Grand Rapids and waived Aaron Downey, presumably to send him down as well.

Neither move is really a surprise. Helm was impressive in the pre-season, but would be better served to get significant playing time and that can only happen with the Griffins. Downey never really had a shot of making the regular season roster with all the talent above him. Darren McCarty will start the season in Detroit, but that’s more due to the fact that he’s got a groin injury and can go on the IR than anything else.

MacLeod also reports that Kyle Quincey was not on the ice with the team. That to me cements the idea that his time with the organization is done.

Ville Leino, by the way, skated on the top line with Marian Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk in lieu of the injured Tomas Holmstrom. He and Jonathan Ericsson seem headed to GR by 3:00 tomorrow.