Ahead of tonight's game against the Jets, Detroit re-calls forward Austin Watson from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions, signaling that Vladimir Tarasenko will not be available
This afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings re-called forward Austin Watson from the Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. That emergency stems from illness, which continues to spread throughout the Red Wings dressing room with Vladimir Tarasenko the latest player to fall ill.
Oct 26, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (11) and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) go after a loose puck during the third period at KeyBank CenterTarasenko did not take part in morning skate before tonight's game against the Winnipeg Jets, and coach Derek Lalonde explained that he was suffering from the same flu bug that had previously held out a number of Red Wings, including J.T. Compher. Lalonde characterized Tarasenko as "probably a game-time decision," then said, "we're not opposed to going 11 [forwards] and seven [defensemen]...And we may even bring someone up."
Some four hours later, we appear to have an answer to that question, with Detroit re-calling Watson under emergency conditions, signaling that Tarasenko will not be available for tonight's game. In all likelihood, Tarasenko's absence will not be a prolonged one, but it appears the Red Wings will have to do without the two-time Stanley Cup champion, who has two goals and one assist in his first nine games with Detroit for at least tonight.
Watson, meanwhile, has featured in one game this season for the Red Wings, playing just 4:54 in Detroit's 4-1 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in the opening week of the season. He will presumably play fourth line minutes this evening, but it will be interesting to see whether Lalonde chooses to move any other pieces around in Tarasenko's absence.