An update on the Red Wings' health status and lines heading into Thursday's game against the Devils
This afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings returned to the BELFOR Training Center within Little Caesars Arena to practice following last night's win on the road over the New York Islanders. All the Red Wings were accounted for at practice except one, Tyler Motte, who has remained out since last Thursday with an upper body injury. After practice, coach Derek Lalonde said that Motte remains "day-to-day."
Given that he did not skate Wednesday, it is all but assured he will not play tomorrow night against the Devils. Instead, Detroit's practice lines were as follows:
Motte's injury status is of some significance for Marco Kasper. Kasper's initial call-up was under emergency conditions, which Detroit was afforded because with Motte out, the Red Wings had just 11 healthy forwards. Once Motte is back, the emergency conditions no longer apply. However, that is also a relatively easy problem for Detroit to solve with just a bitt more "paper" roster maneuvering. With Ville Husso still down in Grand Rapids, the Red Wings were carrying just 22 players (out of 23 allowable), leaving a vacant spot for Kasper to assume even once Motte regains full heath and returns to action.