|
DeKeyser in, Rasmussen to IRL |
|
|
|
|
|
Danny DeKeyser is a go for Tuesday’s game at Little Caesars Arena against the Anaheim Ducks, and that means someone will soon be going from the roster of the Detroit Red Wings.
But that won’t be happening right away.
The Wings made room for DeKeyser (broken wrist) by placing forward Michael Rasmussen on seven-day injured reserve on Tuesday. It’s retroactive to Jan. 6, when Rasmussen missed his first of what thus far has added up to four games due to a lower-body injury, so he’d be eligible to be activated the moment he’s ready to play, but that’s moment doesn’t sound like it will be arriving anytime soon.
“He’s not playing tonight,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I don’t foresee him being ready to play Friday. He hasn’t practiced with us yet. Today was the first time he did anything.
“We were waiting for him to be pain-free and full range of motion before he could skate and yesterday was the first day of that, so then you start the process of getting him back ready. I can’t give you an exact date. Is it before the all-star break? I don’t know the answer to that.”
DeKeyser declared himself 100 percent ready to roll.
“I feel good,” DeKeyser said. “My wrist is feeling good. I haven’t had any issues with it for a while now. It’s just going to be getting out there and getting my feet back under me, getting into game conditioning because obviously that’s a lot different than skating in practice. I look to get back up to speed quick.”
Blashill wouldn’t reveal his lineup for the game, but rookie defenseman Filip Hronek was among the last players to come off the ice from the morning skate, generally an indication that he won’t be playing in the game.
Keeping Up With Jones
NASCAR driver Erik Jones, a Michigander, was a visitor to the Wings dressing room Tuesday morning and admitted to a deep respect for hockey players.
“Every sport is different and it’s neat to see how each one operates,” Jones said. “I’ve had a chance to be around some football teams, and I’ve had the chance to be around some baseball players, but ever really hockey. Down in North Carolina they don’t have a lot of hockey going on, so I get to come back to Michigan and see that.
“It’s cool to see their process, how they prepare. It’s interesting to me that they start so early in the day. It’s 10:30, 11 o’clock and we’re skating and getting ready. It’s cool to see that the preparation starts so early for a game. And really, the work ethic that they put in through the week and in practice for conditioning, I think hockey players are some of the best athletes in the world. Their conditioning and their strength is in my opinion pretty much bar none.”
Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»