At this point, it would appear that defenseman Danny DeKeyser will be good to go when the Detroit Red Wings play host to the Colorado Avalanche Friday at Joe Louis Arena.

DeKeyser left Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators after blocking a shot by Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf on the outside of his right knee. DeKeyser returned for just one brief 10-second shift after being struck by the puck and after the game his injury was diagnosed as a bruise.

While the Wings enjoyed an off-day Thursday, according to Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, DeKeyser contacted Wings athletic therapist Piet VanZant and informed him he was feeling much better and would be able to play in Friday’s game.

As for Detroit’s other wounded defenders, Mike Green (groin) definitely won’t be available for Friday’s game and unless Niklas Kronwall (LTIR-knee surgery) turns in a couple of days of intense practices he won’t be returning for his original target date of Sunday when Detroit plays to the Boston Bruins.

Andersson Assigned
Just in case DeKeyser’s condition takes a turn for the worse and they need to call up a defenseman, the Wings sent forward Joakim Andersson to Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League on Thursday to clear both roster and salary-cap room.

Andersson cleared NHL waivers last month and was assigned to Grand Rapids on Jan. 24, only to be recalled Jan. 26 without playing an AHL game. He’s played in just five of Detroit’s last 14 games.

Marvellous Mrazek
You know that Detroit goalie Petr Mrazek has been good lately. But did you realize that he’s been this good?

With Wednesday’s win over Ottawa, Mrazek improved to 10-2-1 in his last 13 games with a 1.30 goals-against average, .951 save percentage, and three shutouts over that span. He leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.94) and save percentage (.934).

“He’s definitely brought us confidence,” Detroit forward Darren Helm said. “He’s done an outstanding job this year.

“He’s won a couple of games for us for sure and been keeping us in a lot of others. That only helps teams.

“We definitely feel confident when we get a one or two-goal lead with him in the net.”

Datsyuk Milestone
Detroit center Pavel Datsyuk was working with a new pair of skates earlier this week, laying them on their side on the floor of the Detroit dressing room while he walked on the boot of the skates with his feet to help soften the leather.

“I just broke them in,” Datsyuk said, uncertain as to when he might utilize the new pair in a game.

“It depends. Sometimes it’s second day, third day, sometimes it takes like a week.”

He might get to 900 NHL points before he gets to wear his new skates when it matters. Datsyuk currently sits with 306-592-898 totals.

Memories Of The Joe
The Wings announced plans for a season-long celebration of the team’s history at Joe Louis Arena that will be undertaken next season, the team’s farewell campaign at the arena Detroit has called home since 1979. The Wings will be moving to the new Detroit Events Center for the 2017-18 NHL season.

As part of the plan, the team unveiled a commemorative patch that will be worn at all games home and away during the 2016-17 NHL campaign. The logo features the wording “Farewell Season at The Joe,” with a silhouette of the Stanley Cup utilized as the inside of the letter O and a Red Wings logo across the bottom of the patch. Four stars over the top of the wording represent the four Stanley Cups the team has won while playing at the rink.



“We know our fans have cherished memories of nearly four decades here at The Joe, and we’re excited to celebrate and relive those moments one last time as we continue preparation for the future at the Detroit Events Center.”

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