Detroit sends Austin Czarnik down to the AHL, but, at least for now, doesn't re-call anyone as a replacement
On Sunday afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings announced that they were assigning forward Austin Czarnik to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.
The move leaves Detroit with a vacant roster spot at the NHL level, but, for the time being, the Red Wings appear willing to proceed with 22 (rather than the allowable 23) players.
Apr 6, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Austin Czarnik (21) celebrates his goal during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena. Czarnik has just one point (an assist) in 11 NHL games so far this season, but head coach Derek Lalonde has praised his versatility and his defensive reliability. At the AHL level, he has two goals and an assist with the Griffins in just two games this year, so perhaps he can help a Grand Rapids team that has been starved for offense in the early days of its season. However, an injury sustained in the Red Wings' loss to the Canadiens earlier this month held him out of action during Detroit's trip to Sweden.
Meanwhile, some Red Wings fans hoped that the vacancy the move would correspond to Simon Edvinsson (Detroit's top defensive prospect and the 6th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft) being elevated to the NHL ranks to supplement a struggling defense corps, but, at least for the time being, that is not the case.