Update (12:30 PM): So, I checked the CBA and it says a player on LTIR has to be out for 24 days and 10 regular seaason games, which throws my little “don’t worry, he could be back after the real deadline” bit out the window. Everybody panic!

Except Ansar Khan reports Nik was on the ice today. So, maybe Eaves is the guy and maybe May’s not the only guy being moved. McKenzie may not have had the full picture. - Matt

Bob McKenzie reported on Twitter that May’s expected to be waived today. No surprise there. The surprising part of the tweet, though, was the news that the Wings are expected to put someone on the LTIR to clear up room to activate Lilja.

It’s easy to leap to the conclusion that it’s Nik Kronwall, but it’s possible Patrick Eaves will be having an extended recovery period. Thanks to John W. for reminding me of that.

Whoever it is will have to either sit out the remainder of the season or until another move is made at a later date. It’s possible Kenny couldn’t wrangle a deal in time before this pre-deadline deadline. It’s possible he could swing a deal by March 3, however, so even if it is Kronwall, it’s not reason to get overly concerned just yet. He might not be done for the season, just out long enough to legitimize LTIR status.

Obviously, a situation involving anyone going on the LTIR sucks all around, but I don’t think anyone would disagree losing Kronwall for any further period of time would be awful for this team. Losing  Eaves would also be bad, given his work ethic and commitment to sacrifice, but they can afford to do without him for a bit. They can’t do without Kronwall, at least not well.

For what it’s worth, last night there was a brief clip of Kronwall walking away from Fil and Franzen and he had no visible limp. I’m hoping George is right and that the team is just giving him the time he needs to get fully healthy for the Olympics.

On the other hand, May and Eaves aren’t enough to clear up the cap. So… I may just be grasping at straws here.