Update (26. Jan, 12:00 PM): A further note: the Wings are up against the cap and will not be able to call someone up from Grand Rapids to fill in. The only way to do it would be to send Darren McCarty through waivers, but the rules seem to indicate that’s not doable since he is considered to have suffered his sports hernia injury while in the NHL. As long as he’s on the IR, the Wings are stuck.
Besides, he’d need to clear waivers and there’s no time to do that and get a Griffin in Columbus anyway. - Matt
My wife just pointed out that the Wings stand a good chance of being two players short of 20 dressed Tuesday night. It depends on what happens with the recoveries of Johan Franzen (hip) and Brad Stuart (sore neck).
With no Lidstrom and Datsyuk automatically, thanks to The Suspension, and with Stuart and Franzen both out, the lines would have the following gaps:
Holmstrom-_________-__________
Hossa-Zetterberg-Cleary
Samuelsson-Filppula-Hudler
Maltby-Draper-Kopecky________-Rafalski
Kronwall-________
Lilja-Lebda
Fortunately, Meech and Chelios are healthy and will be able to fill in if needed, but who know what the units will be or where Meech would end up (forward or defenseman). Here’s hoping the Mule and Stuart are able to get back in it, or the Wings will be really shorthanded.