Yahoo Sports Roster Update: Maintenance Days for Larkin & Kane, Motte "Likely Available" for Red Wings-Blackhawks
On Monday afternoon, the Detroit Red Wings held their first practice since Saturday's win over the Buffalo Sabres following a day off Sunday. Two prominent Red Wings were not on the ice, with neither Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin. Kane and Larkin are tied for third on the team in scoring with eight points a piece, while Larkin's seven goals are a team high.
Fortunately for Red Wings fans, coach Derek Lalonde assured reporters after practice that both absences were routine, rather than cause for concern. The third-year head coach characterized the two star players as suffering from "bumps and bruises," saying "it made sense from our medical staff to give them a day off." He added that there is "no real concern" of either player missing Wednesday night's game against the Blackhawks in Chicago.
Meanwhile, Lalonde said of Tyler Motte, who has been out since Oct. 17, "He's in a good spot. He's coming along, so I like the fact that we have 13 forwards [including a healthy Motte] that we're very comfortable with...He'll likely be available for Wednesday. We'll get a feel for that in the next couple days." Lalonde has consistently praised Motte's dependability as a checker and penalty killer since the start of training camp.
When you put it all together, it sounds as though the Red Wings will have a decision to make Wednesday night with regards to which forward will be the healthy scratch. Jonatan Berggren, Joe Veleno, Christian Fischer, and Michael Rasmussen are all potential candidates for that not-so-desirable distinction.
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