The Detroit Red Wings had a very optional practice on Monday. Jake Walman, a defenseman, was not present, so it is unclear how he will feel about playing the New Jersey Devils at home on Wednesday.
Not much more, even the Red Wings believe, will be known until after Tuesday’s practice. After colliding with a goal post on Friday, Walman—who has a history of shoulder problems—left the Toronto Maple Leafs game with an upper-body injury.
Coach Derek Lalonde of Detroit stated, “Wally will be questionable for practice tomorrow and then wze’ll see where he’s at for Wednesday.” “Having seven NHL players will undoubtedly not be a problem.
“We’re in a good spot.”
Numbers-wise, that’s true. Talent-wise is another issue. Walman skates alongside Moritz Seider in Detroit’s defensive pairing, seeing duty against the opposition’s top players. He works the point on the club’s second power-play unit.
Red Wings Return Czarnik
The Red Wings are down to 12 forwards after assigning Austin Czarnik to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. The move reduces Detroit’s roster to 22 – three goalies, seven defensemen and 12 forwards – one below the NHL maximum.
At the present time, Lalonde is suggesting that he’s in no hurry to fill the vacancy.
“The five-on-five play has been pretty darn good over three, four, five games now,” Lalonde said. “Will we probably have some different looks potentially up front? Yes. But very happy with all 12 forwards.
“I think why our five-on-five game has been so good of late has been the depth. I think we saw a step in improvement though (Klim) Kostin, (Daniel) Sprong. Ras (Michael Rasmussen) has given us some good minutes.
Or course, all bets are off if Walman is out of action for Wednesday.
“We’ll see where Wally is at for Wednesday,” Lalonde of the potential for recalling a defenseman from the AHL Griffins.
