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Wings' Abdelkader won't play Tuesday vs. Panthers |
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The Detroit Red Wings will go into Tuesday’s game at Joe Louis Arena against the Florida Panthers minus left-winger Justin Abdelkader, who will miss at least one game due to a shoulder injury suffered in Sunday’s win over Vancouver.
“Let’s say it’s two days today,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said of Abdelkader’s status, while talking about what the team will miss in his absence.
“He kills penalties. He blocks shots. He plays hard on offense. He understands you score goals by being at the net, so he goes to the net.
“He’s an important player for us.”
Abdelkader’s absence set off some line juggling during Monday’s practice. Johan Franzen took his place alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, while Tomas Jurco jumped into Franzen’s spot next to Darren Helm and Stephen Weiss. Joakim Andersson skated in Jurco’s place with Luke Glendening and Drew Miller. Only the unit of Riley Sheahan-Tomas Tatar-Gustav Nyquist remained intact.
Howe Update
Red Wings legend Gordie Howe suffered another mini-stroke on the weekend, but overall, his condition is stable according to son Mark Howe.
“He’s had a number of them over the years,” Mark Howe said of the mini stroke. “Basically, all the vital signs are good. He’s been happy, he’s comfortable; he’s not in pain with his back.
“They’re doing a good job. You wish things were a little better but I’m happy with the fact he’s comfortable. He has his personality.
“It’s going OK.”
An epidural injection has relieved the chronic pain in Howe’s back, but the strokes have taken their toll on his mobility and ability to communicate.
“He’s not walking at all,” Mark Howe said of his 86-year-old father who is staying at his daughter Cathy’s home in Lubbock, Tex. “His speech is very common.
“After his first stroke, within a week he was up and walking probably 40 or 50 feet. It took him quite a while. And the use of both arms was coming back pretty well.”
Following his second major stroke, Howe’s condition deteriorated.
“I know they did his first physical therapy about a week ago after his epidural,” Mark Howe said. “I was there and he tried standing twice over the course of about 20 minutes and it took just every ounce of energy he had. It totally drained him.
“Right now we’re concentrating in re-establishing the connection between the muscles and the brain and hopefully they can get that connection and maybe have a chance.”
Hicketts Named
Red Wings prospect Joe Hicketts, a defenceman who plays for Victoria of the Western Hockey League, was among those announced Monday as part of the training camp roster for Canada’s world junior team.
Detroit signed Hicketts as an undrafted free agent after he had a strong training camp in the fall. Wings defenseman Brendan Smith remembers how well the 5-8, 186-pound Hicketts performed during his time with the team.
“I like a lot about how he plays,” Smith said. “You’d like to see him be 6-3 or whatever, but he plays strong and he’s a great skater.
“The game is moving. You see guys like (Jared) Spurgeon, who is top line on Minnesota, and you see more and more of these smaller D-men who know how to make right plays, are in the right spot, and they’re very effective because they’ve learned to do it their whole lives.
“He makes great plays. I was really impressed. A few times I asked a few of the guys who this guy was, and they told me he’s only 18. I think he’s got a bright future and I’m impressed with how he’s played and I think it’s a good thing that the Red Wings gave him an entry-level contract.
“I think he can become a helluva player. You watch the game now and the game is fast and he can do that. He can step into that and end up playing in the NHL sometime.”
The Canadian selection camp will be held Dec. 11-15 in Toronto.
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