An update on Jake Walman, Dylan Larkin, and Ville Husso's health status ahead of a five-game road trip
An update on Jake Walman, Dylan Larkin, and Ville Husso's health status ahead of a five-game road trip
Today, the Detroit Red Wings practiced at the Belfor Training Center within Little Caesars Arena ahead of a critical five-game road trip.
Captain Dylan Larkin, who returned to the lineup after an eight-game absence last night in a 6-3 win over the Islanders, did not participate in the skate, but after practice, Derek Lalonde provided an assurance that his status for Saturday night's game in Nashville is not in question.
"He probably fell under what's going around the room there, so it's nothing to do with his previous lower body injury. He will be available for us tomorrow," said Lalonde. The Red Wings have had some sort of flu-like bug going around the dressing room throughout the week, with Michael Rasmussen missing a practice and morning skate earlier in the week due to his own symptoms.
Meanwhile, Jake Walman, who hasn't played since last Sunday in Pittsburgh, was also unavailable for practice today. Unlike Larkin, Walman won't be an option for the Red Wings tomorrow night against the Predators.
"Still the lower body [injury]," said Lalonde when asked about Walman's status. "He wasn't able to skate again today. We'll see where he's at. Hopefully, maybe by Tuesday." After Saturday's game, Detroit will play the Capitals (currently its closest competition for the second wild card spot in the East) in Washington Tuesday, so having Walman available would be a nice boost for the Red Wings.
Finally, Lalonde said that Ville Husso—who hasn't played since February 13th in Edmonton—remains unavailable for the time being. "Husso is maybe gonna get a conditioning stint, very similar to last time, but I think he's gotta get to a spot where he's ready for that, and it's just not there yet."
After dealing with a different lower body injury earlier in the season, Husso shut out the Belleville Senators in late January during a conditioning stint with the Griffins. Unfortunately, his return from injury didn't go as smoothly as the rehab start, with the Finnish netminder getting injured in the first period of his first NHL game back against the Oilers. Detroit will be looking for a better outcome this time around.
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