Category Archive for ‘Injuries’ at On the Wings

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2/27 Notes

Published

on February 27, 2008

in Brad Stuart, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries, Jonathan Ericsson, Niklas Kronwall, Oilers, Pavel Datsyuk and Valtteri Filppula

. 2 Comments

Update (10:26 AM): The comments on IwoCPO’s response to Drew Sharp are worth reading, as usual. Particularly Baroque’s from 8:36 AM. - Matt

Update (10:04 AM): Brennan at Gloveside has a great discussion on the Wings’ breakout troubles here. The post includes what has to be the line of the week at the end of third paragraph. I won’t spoil it for you.

As for the solution to the breakout issues: Nick Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, and Chris Chelios. As talented and impressive as Derek Meech, Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Ericsson have been, they can’t measure up to the masters of that particular art form. - Matt

Update (8:35 AM): IwoCPO responds to Drew Sharp’s column here. - Matt

… The Wings lost last night in Edmonton, 4-3 in a shootout. They overcame a two-goal lead in the third and then gave up a goal in the final minute of the period as the Oilers forced overtime. Robert Nilsson scored the only goal in the shootout to give Edmonton their 13th shootout win this season.

I was not able to watch the game, but judging from the highlights, it was an exciting one.

… Good news: Valtteri Filppula scored last night and now has two goals in a little over a week. That’s closer to the correct rate of scoring, Fil.

… More good news: Jonathan Ericsson notched his first NHL goal to put the Wings on the board. Hopefully that’s just the first of many, many more.

… Anyone else want to see Pavel Datsyuk shoot the puck like that more often? I love it when he breaks out that rocket snap shot of his.

… It was nice to see Henrik Zetterberg try something a little different in the shootout. That brings the number of shootout moves in his repertoire to a grand total of about 4. Maybe someday he’ll come across a goalie that hasn’t seen the Forsberg Deke™ and he can use that one again!

… Post-game links

… The papers are understandably stocked with stories about Brad Stuart today:

Helene St. James has a straightforward piece about the new defenseman, complete with quotes from Ken Holland. It looks like he won’t join the team until tomorrow, though he is expected to play Friday. The man slated to be his defensive partner, Niklas Kronwall, is expected to return that night as well.

Ted Kulfan’s lede says it all:

The Red Wings found out last season a team can’t have enough defensemen during the playoffs.

Very true.

Drew Sharp, of course, second-guesses the move and wonders why Ken Holland wasn’t able to land a forward when guys like Martin Lapointe and Sergei Fedorov went to the East for a song. Two words Drew: Central Division. Two more: Eastern Conference. Put them together and you have a simple concept: the Wings are in the same division as Chicago and Columbus, and those teams aren’t looking to do the Wings any favors. And vice versa.

The Caps and Senators, on the other hand, are in the Eastern Conference and therefore not immediate threats to the success of the franchise. Do you get it? Sure, it’s disappointing that the Wings were able to bring in some scoring help, but the simple fact that the Jackets and Hawks are in the Central meant the asking price was too high for them.

Also, Martin Lapointe, Drew? You’re upset that they didn’t bring that loser back?

John Niyo has a refreshingly positive look at the move and makes a great point. Whereas teams like Dallas, Colorado, and San Jose are placing their hopes in their new acquisitions,

… teams like Anaheim and Detroit, the presumptive Cup favorites before Tuesday’s wheeling and dealing, are banking on something else: Themselves.

When Jiri Hudler’s turn came up at the shootout last night, Ken Daniels said a goal there would have be a much-needed boost to his confidence. He didn’t score, but you have to think that his not being traded was a boost of sorts. The same goes for the other struggling forwards. The management showed faith in the current squad and that counts for something. Whether the guys will honor that faith remains to be seen, of course, but it’s hard to believe that they won’t.

Niyo also points out that the Wings did not give up any of their “kids.” That will pay off in the future and, with the team they have at the moment, shouldn’t hamper their chances now.

For another blogger’s perspective on the trade, see Gorilla Crouch.

2/25 Post-practice Update

Published

Matt Saler

on February 25, 2008

in Brian Rafalski, Chris Chelios, Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Lines, Nick Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Trade Rumors

. 1 Comment

… Ansar Khan reports that Nick Lidstrom (knee sprain) could skate as soon as later this week and could return 10-14 days from today. 14 days would put him at three weeks from the injury, while 10 would be closer to the original estimate. Khan makes sure to address the “Internet rumors” about a possible Lidstrom concussion by assuring us Ken Holland and Mike Babcock are denying any such claim.

… Contrary to reports last week, Niklas Kronwall (clavicle) is not expected to play tomorrow night in Edmonton. The

… Dominik Hasek (hip flexor) may be healed enough to perform backup duties for Chris Osgood tomorrow night. If so, the team will send Jimmy Howard back to Grand Rapids.

… Chris Chelios (right leg, chipped fibula) has not skated since going down with his injury and is day-to-day. It looks like he may not be back until after the San Jose and Buffalo games this weekend.

… Brian Rafalski (groin) hasn’t been on the ice since the 21st and remains day-to-day, though he told Khan he’s feeling better.

… Khan provides the lines from practice today:

Filppula-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson
Hudler-Draper-Kopecky
Maltby-Drake-Downey
Hartigan

… Lastly, Holland said he’s looking to address the secondary scoring problem by acquiring a second line forward. He also is looking to add a depth defenseman. As I said earlier today, I’m now convinced that the Wings are pretty well set on defense, so hopefully Kenny won’t spend too much time looking for a veteran blueliner when he could be on the phone for a forward.

Another one down…

Published

Matt Saler

on February 23, 2008

in Chris Chelios, Derek Meech, Dion Phaneuf, Flames, Injuries and Jonathan Ericsson

. 4 Comments

I don’t know what the Wings did to deserve this, but it’s getting ridiculous: Chris Chelios left the game in the first period not long after blocking a shot with the unprotected back of his right leg. Mike Babcock told the media after the game that it might be something of a fracture, though he’s not sure if it’s the kind Cheli could play on (non-displaced).

The Wings played the remainder of the game with five defensemen, three of whom are effectively rookies. The defense came up big, though, with first time NHLer Jonathan Ericsson looking like a veteran together with a similarly poised Derek Meech. Ericsson is the real deal, folks, and Meech is more impressive every time I see him play.

After that performance, it’s hard to be worried about the defense in the playoffs, to be honest. I say that in spite of the fact that the Wings still lost 1-0. They called it a moral victory on the radio and it’s hard to disagree. Still, I can do without the moral victories. That’s what Monday’s win was as well, and the team lost Nick Lidstrom. Tonight it was Chelios. Any more moral victories like that and there won’t be much of a team left.

Anyway, I’m sure there will be more on Chelios in the morning. It seems a safe bet that he won’t be in the lineup against the Canucks, which would mean the very, very green (i.e. not NHL-ready) Jakub Kindl or the fairly steady Garrett Stafford could get the call.

Oh yeah. Anyone else think Dion Phaneuf should be facing league discipline for that vicious-but-somehow-unpenalized hit on Tomas Kopecky? Five games, please. Maybe more.

Lidstrom out three weeks with sprained MCL

Published

Matt Saler

on February 20, 2008

in Injuries and Nick Lidstrom

. 9 Comments

Update (2:35 PM): Ansar Khan has more here. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports that Nick Lidstrom will miss the next three weeks as a result of Ian Laperriere’s hit Monday night. He has a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee and because the team is sure to take every precaution, you can bet that three weeks is more of a minimum. The earliest we can expect to see him back is March 13 against Dallas.

The good news is that it does not look like he as a concussion, though he still has to undergo more tests.

I’m quite thankful it didn’t turn out to be a season-ending injury or something, but this sucks. A lot can happen over three weeks. The Wings have not had to go that long without #5 since he entered the League and it happens this season, of all seasons? This will be a heavy test of the team’s leadership capabilities, to be sure.

The adversity did not end with the skid-halting 4-0 win over Colorado Monday night. It just started.

2/20 Rafalski Update

Published

Matt Saler

on February 20, 2008

in Brian Rafalski, Injuries and Links

. 0 Comments

Update (21. Feb, 7:18 AM): George Sipple confirms the waiving. - Matt

Update (11:15 PM): Ted Kulfan casts some doubt on the status of Matt Ellis by suggesting he has not yet gotten confirmation from the Wings on the move. I find it hard to believe that MacLeod would be wrong, but I suppose it’s possible. (via Snapshots) - Matt

Update (5:59 PM): Bruce MacLeod reports that Matt Ellis was put on waivers today, so the Hartigan move isn’t due to an injury after all. George Malik says the Wings must want to give Ellis more playing time and are opting to expose him to waivers rather than send him down for a conditioning stint. He is available to until noon tomorrow.

Let’s hope no one claims him. The Griffins could sure use Ellis back and I’d hate to see him lost to the Wings’ system. - Matt

Update (2:41 PM): Ansar Khan claims that Jonthan Ericsson will make his NHL debut Friday, as Niklas Kronwall will not be ready.He also mentions that Dallas Drake and Pavel Datsyuk were given the day off. Given Hartigan’s call-up, I have to think one of those two must be injured. - Matt

Update (2:15 PM): Looks like Rafalski isn’t returning Friday after all. Ryan Doherty reports that he skated for only 15 minutes or so and then left the ice. Doherty says Jonathan Ericsson has been called up from Grand Rapids. Bruce MacLeod says it’s possible Niklas Kronwall could return Friday, but Ericsson will play if not.

Doherty also reports that Mark Hartigan has been promoted. Not sure of the reason for that, as no more forward injuries have been reported that I know of, aside from Valtteri Filppula’s gashed face. Rafalski and Dominik Hasek have been put on the IR to make room for Hartigan and Ericsson. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports that Brian Rafalski (groin) participated in practice today. As he points out, this is good news, as it could mean Rafalski will in fact be back Friday night. That means the team may not have to call up Jonathan Ericsson.

Still no word on Nick Lidstrom’s knee, but MacLeod reports he was not on the ice this morning. No surprise there.

Wings 4, Avs 0, Rivalry Fans 999

Published

Sarah Baker

on February 19, 2008

in 2007-2008, Aaron Downey, Chris Chelios, Derek Meech, Henrik Zetterberg, Injuries and Mike Babcock

. 10 Comments

The rivalry’s back and people are losing fingers. Okay so when the versus announcer shouted about a finger getting ripped off by Zetterberg, he was talking about a beautiful steal off of Jeff Finger, but we can dream, right? So for those of you who didn’t see the most bittersweet game of the year, you’ve undoubtedly now heard about the Nicklas Lidstrom crisis. Barely six minutes into the first, Ian Laperrierre took our prized captain into the boards in what appeared to be a relatively clean hit, except for a rising elbow. Lids crumpled and then struggled to return to play. He was helped off the ice and I’m pretty sure everyone watching was thinking concussion with how dazed he looked. Shockingly, it was announced later in the game that he passed the concussion test with flying colors. When Chris Chelios came on for an interview in the intermission, he looked like he’d just been to a funeral. It appears, however, that the attack on Nick was just what this team needed to come together and kick some butt. Aaron Downey did his best Darren McCarty impression, chasing down Laperrierre not once, but twice, to deal out justice. I don’t know about you, but I loved seeing Babs get all huffy with Granato. Why don’t they ever put mikes on the coaches? I would have loved to know what words were being exchanged there. Though it was pretty fun trying to guess. Oh and for anyone who was wondering about our defensive depth going into the deadline - we pitched a shutout yesterday without our top 3 defensemen. Youngsters Derek Meech and Kyle Quincey stepped up and showed they can be counted on to carry the big minutes if necessary. Sure it was only one game, but it still left me feeling a lot more comfortable about our depth chart.

Honestly if it weren’t for the whole Lidstrom debacle, this game would have been more comforting than a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter day. The Wings ended their losing streak, righted their powerplay, and wrestled a win from the jaws of the injury bug. All at the same time, they revived a treasured rivalry. Though the animosity may have dwindled away over the years, the cup of hate has just been refilled. The Wings do not like it when you hurt their captain. Period. If we see the Avs in the playoffs, I expect the mood to be testy at best. I can’t wait. I wonder if the sales of Downey jerseys just skyrocketed…

Lidstrom: out 7-10 days with knee sprain

Published

Matt Saler

on February 19, 2008

in Aaron Downey, Avalanche, Injuries and Nick Lidstrom

. 4 Comments

Update (2:42 PM): The official site has a brief piece in which Lidstrom talks about the hit and his injury.

He describes his knee as “sore and a little bit swollen,” so take that as you will. It sounds like his head is fine as he does not have a headache.

He of course does not come right out and accuse Laperriere of anything, but he does leave his true feelings open to interpretation:

“I have a pretty good mark on my chin where he hit me. Whether he tried to or not, I don’t know, but he followed through and finished with his elbow up on my chin and that’s when my head went back into the glass.”

- Matt

Update (1:43 PM): Ryan Doherty reports that Nick’s knee will be reevaluated tomorrow morning rather than today, as previously expected.

As some have noted, the “7-10 day” diagnosis came a little fast, but there’s no particular reason to disbelieve it at this point. Sure, it’s possible that 7-10 days is optimistic, but if it was much worse than a simple sprain, we’d probably already know.

Still, pray that the MRI has a positive result. - Matt

Ansar Khan is reporting that the right knee sprain Nick Lidstrom suffered last night as a result of a high hit by Colorado’s Ian Laperriere will keep him out a week to ten days. A seven-day recovery period would put Nick back for the February 26th meeting with Edmonton, while ten days would have him back for the ~~March 1st~~ February 29th home game against the San Jose Sharks.

That Nick will miss 2-3 games is a blow, to be sure, but the team is extremely fortunate he won’t be out longer. A more serious injury would have put a serious damper on their hopes for a long playoff run. It is impossible to overstate Lidstrom’s importance to the team and it is going to be a major test of their resiliency as they go through the next couple games.

The situation on the blueline will be improved by Brian Rafalski’s likely return Friday, but no one player can replace a five-time Norris Trophy winner. In the coming games, the team will need to put forth the same effort that propelled them to a 4-0 win over the Avs last night.

When I got home last night after the game (which I was unable to watch), I just wanted to check the score and go to bed. Then I saw the comment emails sitting in my inbox. IwoCPO put it perfectly, titling his first post on the incident “Worst Case Scenario: Lidstrom Helped Off the Ice.” When it comes to possible injuries, losing Nick Lidstrom is basically as bad as it gets. Fortunately, the post-game news was fairly good. Otherwise, I would have slept much worse than I did.

This morning, I just wanted to see a replay as I worked on school stuff (thinking the whole time, “I have more important things to do than prepare for this presentation. Like find out how Nick is.”). Thankfully, IwoCPO posted the highlights from the game.

It’s difficult to watch. The hit is high, but not overtly vicious. Maybe unnecessarily hard, but not particularly dangerous. Laperriere caught Lidstorm in a bad position and didn’t hold back. Personally, I call it disrespect and typical of a lowlife like Laperriere, though I know there are those out there who disagree.

In any case, I’ve seen players get up fine after much nastier-looking hits. The part that’s hard to watch is Nick’s disorientation as he gets up. In all my years of watching the Wings, I have never seen him out of it like that. It was jarring in a way similar to seeing Steve Yzerman’s reaction to taking that puck to the face. Laperriere obviously caught Nick with a late elbow/forearm and his head rebounded off the glass, causing the disorientation. Let’s hope his head is okay.

I’m thankful for Mike Hasenfratz, who was quick to grab hold of Lidstrom and whistle the play dead before he fell again.

I’m glad Aaron Downey was in the lineup last night. It was good to see the replay of him beating up Laperriere. That’s precisely what #20’s job is. I’d like to think that teams might think twice about streamrolling the Wings’ superstar now. Aaron Downey should never be out of the lineup, as far as I’m concerned. The guy has earned his spot.

Anyway, Lidstrom has been an incredibly consistent feature of the Wings’ lineup over the years, missing only 32 22 of 1,452 games and most of those because he was being rested for the playoffs. Rarely has the team had to go it without him.

For those who say the Wings need to face some adversity before they can be successful, that they’ve had it too easy this season: you can shut up now.

Be sure to read IwoCPO’s wrap-up here.

Lastly, keep an eye on the AHL wire over the next couple days. If it turns out that Rafalski isn’t quite ready to go Friday, Jonathan Ericsson will get the call-up.

2/16 Notes

Published

Matt Saler

on February 16, 2008

in Brian Rafalski, Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Johan Franzen, Lines and Niklas Kronwall

. 0 Comments

… Both Ansar Khan and Bruce MacLeod report that Jimmy Howard will start tomorrow in Dallas. He has not started an NHL game since December 13, 2005, when he was pulled after allowing three goals on sixteen shots during the Wings’ 7-6 loss to Atlanta.

Given that the Wings seem to play more carefully in front of the young goaltender, this is probably a good move. They have not been giving Chris Osgood much support and he could probably use a game off to regain confidence in his teammates.

… Dominik Hasek (hip flexor) will not make the trip to Denver and Colorado, and it does not look like he’ll be back until next Saturday in Vancouver.

… Brian Rafalski (groin) will make the trip, but it looks like he won’t be back until Monday against Colorado.

… Niklas Kronwall (clavicle) is also going along with the team, but Khan says he won’t be back until the Calgary game on Friday at the earliest.

… With Kronwall and Rafalski remaining out, Kyle Quincey will stay with the team at least one more game.

… Khan also provides some mixed-up lines that Babcock tried in practice:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Filppula-Zetterberg-Samuelsson
Kopecky-Draper-Maltby
Hudler-Drake-Downey (Ellis working in)

As he points out, that top line skated together at the start of the season prior to Franzen’s knee sprain. As I wrote when Dan Cleary went down, Johan should benefit greatly from inheriting a larger role in Cleary’s absence. Let’s hope he takes advantage of the move to the top line.

Rafalski out, Quincey in

Published

Matt Saler

on February 14, 2008

in Brian Rafalski, Darren McCarty, Injuries, Jonathan Ericsson and Kyle Quincey

. 3 Comments

Update (1:55 PM): In his post on the Rafalski/Quincey situation, Ansar Khan includes an update on Niklas Kronwall. Apparently, he is hoping to play Sunday against the Stars. Khan provides no evidence for whether that’s realistic or not.

Also, it does not appear that Dominik Hasek (hip flexor) is very near returning, as Mike Babcock professed not to know his status. - Matt

Ryan Foherty reports that Brian Rafalski (groin) will sit out tomorrow night’s game against Columbus. Evidently, he suffered the injury during the Nashville game Tuesday night.

The team has called up Kyle Quincey from the AHL to fill in during Rafalski’s absence. To be frank, I don’t understand why Quincey was chosen instead of Jonathan Ericsson., who has over twice the points Quincey has and is +4. Quincey is -5 and, by all accounts, has not been the same player since being demoted to Grand Rapids after playing with the Wings in the playoffs.

Ericsson, I’m told, has had a solid year in the midst of the Griffins’ troubles this season. Perhaps that’s the reason the Wings opted for Quincey: the Griffins cannot afford to lose Ericsson and Quincey could use the confidence boost.

It doesn’t appear to be a waiver issue, as Ericsson is described by Red Wings Central as having a “waiver-free status.”

In any case, Rafalski is a big loss, even though he’s only day-to-day. The last thing the Wings needed was to lose one of their better skaters as they head into a contest with a young Columbus team that’s fighting for a playoff spot.

It will, however, be interesting to see Derek Meech take on a larger role, if only for one game. My confidence in #14 is growing.

I apologize for the lack of posting this week. It’s been a bit busy at my end, but hopefully things will quiet down after this week.

By the way, I met Darren McCarty Tuesday night in Holland. I’ll be at his home debut tomorrow night, as well.