The Detroit Red Wings may have to face the Edmonton Oilers Thursday without defenseman Jake Walman who came down with an illness today.
“A little under the weather,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Came in today and we sent him straight home. We’ll get a better feel tomorrow on where (Walman) is.”
The Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 Tuesday for their eighth consecutive win. They’ve won 16 of their last 19 games.
In other injury news, Lalonde said Klim Kostin is close to returning from his undisclosed injury.
“He had a full practice today,” Lalonde said. “I don’t foresee us using him tomorrow. We’ll see how he progresses. Another full practice Friday. Would like to get him in on the weekend. Big body. It’s amazing when you don’t have it for a few weeks, we missed him little bit. So we’d like to get him in on the weekend. We’ll see how he progresses the rest of this week.”
Lindstrom On The Move
The Anaheim Ducks claimed former Red Wings player Gustav Lindstrom off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens. The Red Wings traded him to Montreal in the Jeff Petry deal.
In Anaheim, Lindstrom will be reunited with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek who knows Lindstrom’s game well from their time together in Detroit. Lindstrom has been a serviceable defenseman in limited playing time this season. He has three goals and shows an even plus-minute in 14 games. He averaged 15+ minutes per game.
Lindstrom is a right-shot D man and the Ducks just traded right-shot defenseman. After the defensive reshuffling, Lindstrom might receive the opportunity to play on the Ducks’ third pairing.
Ice Chips
Lalonde said goalie James Reimer will likely play one of the back-to-back games on Saturday (home vs. Los Angeles Kings) or Sunday (at Toronto)…Goalie Ville Husso is not close to returning to the lineup. He has been skating. “But not going down into a butterfly yet,” Lalonde said. “Just some basic footwork. Simple steps Still probably week-to-week range.”… Key Red Wings prospect Jonatan Berggren (23 points in 22 games for Grand Rapids) and defenseman Simon Edvinsson (19 points in 29 games) were named to play in the American Hockey League All-Star Classic in San Jose Feb. 4-5.
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