Minor Injuries: Datsyuk, Kronwall Skip Skate; More Franzen Details

Update (4:42 PM): Datsyuk is now listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed upper body injury. His status for tomorrow night’s game is uncertain, but it’s possible he could be cleared to play. Babcock claims the injury is minor.

Meanwhile, Kronwall’s still expected to suit up. – Matt

Ansar Khan reports that Pavel Datsyuk and Nik Kronwall skipped practice today with what are apparently minor injuries. Datsyuk’s is “upper body” and Kronwall’s is “lower body.” Both are being tested, but both are expected to be in the lineup tomorrow.

Pavel’s injury doesn’t totally let him off the hook for his uninspiring start to the season as he sustained the injury last night, but his invisibility in Buffalo could have been due to it. Kronwall’s may explain his disappearance after a sorta decent first period, as well.

Khan also has more from Franzen on how he tore his ACL: he and Brent Seabrook collided during the Wings’ first power play Thursday. Apparently, he checked out during the following intermission, though he did put on a brace. The real pain started later. Non-catastrophic (i.e. not obvious major blow-outs) ACL tears are fun that way: sometimes you just don’t know until the next day.

He’ll be having surgery on Friday. No word yet on a more specific recovery period. That should come following the operation.

Also, Brett Lebda apparently will be allowed to venture out of the doghouse tomorrow night, though he’s sure to be on a short leash. Derek Meech will sit. Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby will be back in as well, which likely means Patrick Eaves and Brad May will sit.

Osgood will be back in net.

Comments

John W. says:
October 14, 2009 at 11:37 am
"Brett Lebda apparently will be allowed to venture out of the doghouse tomorrow night, though he’s sure to be on a short leash. Derek Meech will sit."
Any chance we can go back and release Lebda and Meech and keep Quincey? How good would an Ericsson/Quincey 3rd defensive pairing look right about now? Ericsson isn't nearly as effective when he is the top guy on his pairing, as opposed to last playoff year when he got to play with the top units due to injuries. He's good, but not experienced enough to carry Lebda or Meech on his back.
Megan Saler says:
October 14, 2009 at 11:50 am
I'd actually prefer May in and sitting Abdelkader.
John W. says:
October 14, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Personally, I think with Helm back, Abdelkader should be sent back down to GR. Even with Mule out, we have plenty of forwards to fill the 3rd and 4th lines. Let Abby develop getting top minutes in the AHL.
Eric L. says:
October 14, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I disagree, I think that Abdelkader is going to be a player that the Wings can rely on in the next few years. I think it'd be a great thing to develop him this year and have him come back next year with some experience.
I know they usually like to do this thing slowly, but he showed that he could be a goal scorer last year.
We also know how much Babcock relies on his bottom lines to give our goal scorers a break. I think Justin's done just about everything he can in the AHL and it's time to start giving him some experience in the NHL.

Megan Saler says:
October 14, 2009 at 6:52 pm
John,
I agree about sending Abdelakader to the minors. GR isn't far from Detroit, so if they really need him, they can just call him back up.

Eric,
As I said above, I think Justin could really benefit from another year playing top minutes in GR. He still has plenty to learn, and he can't do that playing 10 minutes a night. He needs to work on his skating, defense, and mostly his composure. He hasn't exaclty lit it up in GR either. Last season, he had 24 goals and 52 points at -2, in 76 games. Sure, 24 goals is good. But if he's really as NHL-ready as you say he his, he should easily be getting 30. On top of that, he had 102 penalty minutes, second only to Downey. And Abdelkader is not a fighter, so it's not a good stat for him. Most are 2 minute penalties, mostly of the dumb and badly-timed variety. I saw him play all season, and I said it over and over. He just needs time to mature and learn to keep his cool. Let's also not forget that he has only played in GR for one year, and he's only 22. There's no reason to rush him when we have the luxury of letting him develop.