Sounds as though the Red Wings will play this weekend without two of their top nine forwards.
Darren Helm (back) and Mikael Samuelsson (groin) probably won’t be available for Saturday’s season-opening tilt in St. Louis, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Helm tweaked a back muscle last Thursday and hasn’t returned to the ice since. When asked if he’d be available for the Blues game, he replied “probably not.”
“I can’t bend over too well,” he said. “I have to tie my skates before I can skate around. It’s a small injury, but it bugs me quite a bit. I have to make sure I can skate before I go out there.”
Samuelsson suffered a groin strain on the opening day of camp. He described the injury as a “minor, minor thing” but, given he’s 36 and has a history of groin issues (he missed 22 games last year with a similar injury), his status is questionable.
If both players are out, it’ll force Wings head coach Mike Babcock to juggle things a bit.
Samuelsson was set to open on the second line alongside Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen, while Helm was going to center the third line between Dan Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi.
Justin Abdelkader seems like the leading candidate to replace Helm, while either Bertuzzi or Cleary is set to jump up to play wing on the second line.
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‘It’s because of the money’: KHL threat is real, says Blue Jackets GM
May 24, 2013, 9:19 PM EDT
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Not speaking about Bobrovsky, but in general.
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You be the judge.
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Phantom call?
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Report: Roy already kicking tires on possible Colorado assistants
May 24, 2013, 8:00 PM EDT
Including one of his coaching rivals from the QMJHL.
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Kunitz likely, Morrow unlikely (Update: correction, he’s in) for Pens in Game 5 vs. Sens
May 24, 2013, 7:01 PM EDT
AP
Dan Bylsma sticking with the same lineup.
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Kevin Prendergast (pictured) and longtime NHL netminder Ron Tugnutt were let go.
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AP
“The NHL remains committed to securing the Coyotes’ future in Glendale under new ownership, and we believe Don’s long-term agreement evidences that he is equally committed,” said the deputy commish.
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McLellan: Burish ‘very close,’ could be in Sharks lineup for Game 6
May 24, 2013, 4:28 PM EDT
He’s missed the entire series with a broken hand.
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Craig MacTavish has a few things he’d like in return.
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AP
“Hopefully, we’ll find that chemistry,” says Spezza.
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Preds continue to shake up staff, fire head athletic trainer
May 24, 2013, 3:14 PM EDT
Just a few days after turfing assistant coach Peter Horachek.
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Aside from, you know, facing elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Chin up, rookie.
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Say hello to Curtis McElhinney.
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AP
Torts not expected to make any lineup changes.
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Rangers’ blueliner saw plenty of action in Game 4, though.
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Lightning say Lacroix won’t return as assistant coach next season
May 24, 2013, 1:12 PM EDT
He was Guy Boucher’s right-hand man, so no huge surprise.
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Pens’ Dupuis on Alfredsson remarks: I don’t see Crosby talking like that
May 24, 2013, 12:59 PM EDT
The postgame comment that just won’t go away.
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AP
The Red Wings’ star may go back to Russia after next season.
