The Detroit Red Wings received some absolutely brutal news after yesterday's game against the Florida Panthers. During the second period, Panthers forward Tomas Nosek fell on center Andrew Copp's leg, forcing him out for the remainder of the game. During his post game press conference, head coach Todd McLellan delivered a tough prognosis about both Copp and captain Dylan Larkin's injuries.
"Copp is being evaluated now, he'll be evaluated tomorrow. He's doubtful for Tampa," McLellan said. The head coach also provided an update on Larkin, who is now doubtful to play for the remainder of the road trip. The Red Wings have just two games left on this trip: one against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday, and one against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
A tight playoff race becomes tighter
Before the start of last night's game, the Red Wings were in the third playoff spot in the Atlantic division. Now, with multiple teams gaining on them, they have just a one point lead in the first wild card spot behind the Boston Bruins. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who won last night, are three points away from stealing away Detroit's playoff spot.
To make matters worse, they'll have to suit up in against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are currently fighting the Buffalo Sabres for the top spot in the Atlantic. Tampa will enter tomorrow's game with a 39-20-4 record and an urge to reclaim their division lead.
"It's a tough loss, but nobody should feel sorry for the Red Wings, and nobody in the locker room should feel sorry," McLellan emphasized. "We have a job to do. We'll have to figure out how to plug some holes."
Red Wings seeking emergency call ups
Per the new collective bargaining agreement, the Red Wings are allowed five emergency call ups after the trade deadline. Should Copp and Larkin remain out for a long while, they'll need to seek help as soon as they can from the Grand Rapids Griffins. Amadeus Lombardi's breakout season would make him a perfect candidate, were he not injured. First round pick (and center) Nate Danielson is also injured.
This leaves the Red Wings stuck between a rock and a hard place. The most likely candidate on the emergency call-up list is Sheldon Dries, who is third in Griffins scoring with 37 points in 48 games. The current players on the roster capable of playing center are J.T. Compher, Marco Kasper and Michael Rasmussen. Calling up Dries seems almost inevitable at this point.
Moving Kasper and Rasmussen to temporary spots on the center leaves a need at wing. Last Saturday, the Red Wings called up Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. In order to further fill in at wing, there's a growing chance the Red Wings pull someone like John Leonard up from the Griffins again.
Octopus Thrower will continue to post updates as they become available.