Category Archive for ‘Kirk Maltby’ at On the Wings

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4/23 Notes

Published

on April 23, 2008

in Aaron Downey, Brad Stuart, Kirk Maltby, Lines, Mark Hartigan and Pavel Datsyuk

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Update (3:12 PM): Helene St. James reports that Kirk Maltby (hamstring) won’t play tomorrow and is doubtful for Saturday’s game. So, Darren Helm should get another game or two in the lineup. - Matt

Update (1:52 PM): Khan’s post on the Stuart question is here. - Matt

Update (1:42 PM): According to Bruce MacLeod’s lastest, Brad Stuart’s status for Game 1 is unknown. Ansar Khan told me via email that Stuart will stay in California until the baby is born. As Mike Babcock told the media, his first priority is to be there for his wife. Given Stuart’s obvious concern for her, I’d be surprised if he’s back in time for the game. I’m sure he won’t exactly hop on the first available plane following the birth, even if the baby comes today.

With the Wings’ depth on the blueline, this should be only a minor speed bump at worst. Andreas Lilja, who practiced in Stuart’s place today, can fill in ably.

By the way, kudos to the Wings for letting Stuart do this. It’s just more evidence that this is the best organization in the game. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports from practice that Pavel Datsyuk is on the ice after having the day off yesterday. That’s definitely good news

Brad Stuart is still in California with his wife. I would hope the plan is that he’ll be back tonight so that he can participate in the pre-game ska te tomorrow. If, however, the plan is for him to remain out West until his second child is born and as a result he isn’t back for Game 1, the Wings have options like Andreas Lilja, Derek Meech or Jonathan Ericsson.

Mark Hartigan, Kirk Maltby, and Aaron Downey are wearing the “likely scratch” greay sweaters.

Ericsson is practicing with the team again.

The lines:

Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom
Franzen-FIlppula-Samuelsson
Hudler-Draper-Cleary
Drake-Helm-McCarty
Maltby-Hartigan-Downey

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Lilja (subbing for Stuart)
Lebda-Chelios
Ericsson-Meech

Osgood
Hasek
Howard

4/22 Notes

Published

Matt Saler

on April 22, 2008

in Aaron Downey, Brad Stuart, Injuries, Kirk Maltby, Lines and Pavel Datsyuk

. 5 Comments

Update (4:00 PM): Ansar Khan says Pavel Datsyuk has the flu. Let’s hope it’s not the same “flu” that Nashville’s Jason Arnott had for Games 5 and 6 of the first round. Khan also quotes Babcock as saying Datsyuk will be back at the Joe tomorrow after spending today at home.

Khan also has more from Babcock on Kirk Maltby and Darren Helm. Basically, Babcock isn’t sure if Malts will be ready to go for Game 1, and he sounds too impressed with Helm to insert #18 anyway.

In another post, Khan reports that Tomas Kopecky (torn ACL, sprained MCL) underwent surgery today in Alabama. He’s expected to take 4-6 months to recover, so it’s possible he’ll miss the start of the season. - Matt

Update (1:14 PM): MacLeod has updated as promised:

Pavel Datsyuk is “sick,” though the team isn’t saying what he’s got. The best bet is that it’s “banged-up-itis” given that Piet Van Zant’s immediate prescription was more home rest. Babcock assured MacLeod that Pavel will “be ready to go” for the second round.

Brad Stuart missed practice because he returned home to California to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.

Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is awaiting medical clearance, but even if he gets it, he’s not a lock to play. Babcock told the media “that he doesn’t like to change the lineup when things are going well.” If Babcock opts to stand pat, he’ll be choosing Darren Helm’s youthful exuberance over Kirk Maltby’s 137 games of playoff experience.

I’m not sure how I feel on that. Do you remember Maltby much this season? Me either. Darren Helm, on the other hand, stood out and has a lot going for him in terms of speed and offensive upside. Then again, Kirk Maltby has a ton of playoff experience and after watching the ramped-up performances of Dallas Drake, Darren McCarty, and Kris Draper, it’s easy to value that above youth. Helm, though, gives the Wings a bona fide fourth-line center, a role Maltby can’t fill. But Babcock won’t be as quick to trust Helm with killing penalties. Of course, Maltby will be returning from a hamstring injury, which likely means a lost step or two. What do you think?

Also, Nick Lidstrom is, predictably enough, a Norris Trophy finalist. His competition is Zdeno Chara and Dion Phaneuf. - Matt

Bruce MacLeod reports from practice:

Pavel Datsyuk was not on the ice, though MacLeod doesn’t think there’s any reason to think it’s worse than normal playoff bumps and bruises. He promises to ask for more information, so expect an update on that later.

Brad Stuart also did not practice. The obvious reason for that is his finger, which is still healing. However, in light of Stuart’s absence, it is interesting that Jonathan Ericsson practiced “with the varsity” rather than separately with his fellow Grand Rapids call-ups. Even with Stuart out, there are eight defensemen participating (Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Chelios, Lilja, Lebda, Meech, and Ericsson).

Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is practicing, so his return could come soon.

MacLeod says the team used the same lines that played in Game 6, though, with Datsyuk out, Maltby and Mark Hartigan working in on the top line. Aaron Downey got reps with the fourth line.

12/18 Update

Published

Matt Saler

on December 18, 2007

in Dominik Hasek, Henrik Zetterberg, Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper

. 0 Comments

… Ansar Khan reports that Dominik Hasek will start tomorrow night versus LA, while Chris Osgood will start Thursday. While that goes against the rotation policy, it’s not an unusual move as the Wings prefer that Dom go through the same day-long warm up process before every game he plays and that’s just not possible on the second day of a back-to-back, particularly when they have to fly to another city.

… Khan also says Kris Draper will return to the lineup tomorrow night. I’m guessing that will mean Aaron Downey will sit, but Mike Babcock wouldn’t reveal anything to the media.

… Khan’s final update is on Kirk Maltby, who doesn’t see himself returning until New Year’s Eve at the earliest. Via Red Wings TV, here is the interview from which Khan got his quotes from Malts.

… Lastly, be sure to check out the NHL’s Frozen Moment (alternate link) today. (via Snapshots)

12/12 Notes

Published

Matt Saler

on December 12, 2007

in Dan Hamhuis, Injuries, Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper, Mark Hartigan, Mike Babcock, Tomas Holmstrom and Video

. 1 Comment

… I apologize for not posting on the Predators game. Finals came first and now I’m done. I don’t have much to say about the game, though, except that the Wings were fortunate they had a fresh Chris Osgood in net, as they totally ran out of gas and barely weathered the storm.

Also, I think Dan Hamhuis should be added to the Enemies of Hockeytown list. Why? Because he tried to take out Nick Lidstrom’s knee from behind when he came out of the penalty box late in the second period. That’s pure bush league.

… Speaking of knees, Tomas Holmstrom evidently hurt his against Carolina on Sunday and missed practice today after playing through pain in Nashville. It’s all but certain he won’t play tomorrow against Edmonton. Apparently, he has not undergone any tests and does not know how he injured it. The team has called up Mark Hartigan to take up the vacant spot on the roster.

Losing Homer is a big deal, but it could be worse. It may even turn out to be a positive of sorts, as Mikael Samuelsson skated with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in practice today. Although Babcock wouldn’t commit to that unit for the Edmonton game, it’s possible he’ll stick with it. If anyone on this team needs the boost the Eurotwins can provide, it’s Samuelsson. He doesn’t have a goal in nine games (1G on November 21st vs. St. Louis) and only has two points over that span.

… The remaining practice lines:

Hudler-Filppula-Kopecky
Cleary-Franzen-Drake
Draper-Ellis-Downey

… Red Wings TV has a post-practice interview with Mike Babcock here. You may find his his pronunciation of “Filppula” humorous.

… Bruce MacLeod reports that Domink Hasek will start tomorrow, which is in keeping with the official goalie rotation policy for the month.

… According to Ansar Khan, Kris Draper practiced with the team today for the first time since he went down with his knee injury (November 227th). He’s not due back for another two weeks or so. Red Wings TV has a post-practice interview with Drapes, as well.

… Kirk Maltby has not skated since his back became inflamed, though he has been told he does not have any major injury and has been given a shot to reduce the swelling. I’ll believe it’s a minor thing when he’s back in the lineup.

… It’s a couple days old now, but be sure to read this excellent post by George Malik at Kukla’s Korner on the current debate about goaltender pad size, if you haven’t already. Also, IwoCPO’s post on unscrupulous post editing/deletion on the part of the Detroit hockey media is well worth a read.

… The NHL held a brief phone conference with Mike Babcock this afternoon. Abel to Yzerman has the audio here. If you’d rather read it, I have the transcript after the jump.
Continue reading ‘12/12 Notes’

12/6 Practice Update

Published

Matt Saler

on December 6, 2007

in Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper

. 0 Comments

Update (2:58 PM): Bruce MacLeod has another update:

… Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood will likely rotate the upcoming games, with Hasek starting the rotation tomorrow. That would put Chris Osgood between the pipes on Sunday.

… Contrary to what I say below, Kris Draper apparently will skate tomorrow, with a brace, before the rest of the team does. - Matt

Briefly:

… Bruce MacLeod reports that Kirk Maltby (back) did not skate today, which means it’s highly unlikely he’ll return to the lineup tomorrow versus Minnesota. A Sunday return against Carolina is possible, though.

… Kris Draper (knee) also did not skate, but that’s to be expected as he’s not supposed to hit the ice again until later next week.

… Also, it looks as though Dominik Hasek will get his second-straight start tomorrow.

11/27 Injury Update

Published

Matt Saler

on November 28, 2007

in Chris Osgood, Dominik Hasek, Injuries, Kirk Maltby, Kris Draper, Matt Ellis and Tomas Kopecky

. 2 Comments

Update (4:40 PM): It looks like the Wings’ site is ramping up the news updates, even on off days. Nice to see. DetroitRedWings.com’s Bob Roose has more on Draper’s knee injury, including a better description of what happened and on the effect the injury will have on the roster make-up.

Also, a response to this piece by Ryan Dixon of The Hockey News, in which he berates Andreas Lilja for fighting Dion Phaneuf after the latter’s high hit on Jiri Hudler last night. Regardless of the cleanliness of the hit (a somewhat debatable point given the fact that Phaneuf left his feet and used his elbow), Lilja was perfectly within his rights to challenge the Flames defenseman. Like George Malik points out, Phaneuf did not have to accept the challenge and could have easily skated away. Few would have questioned his toughness.

Dixon betrays his true motivations for criticizing Lilja here:

Would the thinking go: “Well, I could give my team a lift by laying somebody out, but is that worth our worst defenseman getting more ice time while I sit in the box for five minutes?”

Dixon’s all wound up because Phaneuf is touted as a star in the League, whereas is Lilja a no-name player who had the gall to challenge him and take him off the ice, away from prospective fans, for a whole five minutes. Mr. Dixon, it’s part of the game and Lilja earned points with his own fanbase for the fight. It’s not all about Phaneuf. It’s too bad for the Flames that it happened in the last 7 minutes, but, again, Phaneuf didn’t have to fight. - Matt

Update (3:22 PM): Red Wings TV has added three post-practice interviews:

- Matt
… Bruce MacLeod reports that Kris Draper will be out 10-14 days with a knee sprain. That’s a big hit to the team’s defensive capablities, especially going into the game against the NHL points leader Vincent Lecavalier and Tampa Bay tomorrow night. It’s not the end of the world by any means, given the defensive talent on the roster, but the third line won’t be as effective at shutting the other team down.

… Tomas Kopecky has been cleared to play.

… It looks like the earliest Matt Ellis will be back is Tuesday night in Montreal.

… Kirk Maltby did not practice today and the reason given is a shoulder injury. MacLeod does not know his status for the Tampa Bay game. If he’s not able to go, the team will carry 7 defensemen or call up a forward from Grand Rapids in order to fill in the empty roster spot. Personally, I hope Derek Meech gets to see some ice time, if Maltby needs a night off. The last thing the Griffins need is to lose a forward, however temporarily.

… Apparently, Chris Osgood will start again tomorrow night. It’ll be his third start in a row. Dominik Hasek is slated to start either Saturday or Tuesday. Babcock says the strategy is to play Osgood more in the first half in order to rest Dom for the second half and the playoffs. Okay, I can believe that, but tell me Dom wouldn’t be starting more often if he were tearing it up like Osgood has been.

NHL.com: Meet Detroit’s durable dynamic duo

Published

Matt Saler

on November 16, 2006

in Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper

. 0 Comments

Shawn P. Roarke takes a look at Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper, two of the Wings’ longestet-serving players and most consistent linemates. Gotta love this quote from Draper: “I complete him.”

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