Detroit Red Wings

Greiss Out; Pickard Recalled; Flu Bug Infecting Red Wings

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2022

Bob Duff

The Detroit Red Wings recalled Calvin Pickard from AHL Grand Rapids (Photo by Mark Newman/Griffins).

There’s uncertainty surrounding the roster of the Detroit Red Wings as they prepare for Saturday afternoon’s game at Little Caesars Arena against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning (12:30 p.m. ET).

It’s known for sure that goaltender Thomas Greiss won’t be playing. He left Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders after being involved in a collision with Isles forward Oliver Wahlstrom.

“Greiss will be out through the weekend,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “If I have a better timeline I’ll let you know.”

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today recalled goaltender Calvin Pickard from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

Details: https://t.co/i1iLwRdn0p pic.twitter.com/cBpQHAkgFx

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 25, 2022

Goaltender Calvin Pickard was recalled Friday from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Don’t be surprised if Pickard gets the starting nod Sunday when the Wings are in Pittsburgh. He beat the Penguins there 3-2 in a shootout on Jan. 28.

Forward Givani Smith, who missed Thursday’s game with an undisclosed injury, remains with a listing of day to day next to his name.

Illness Impacting Red Wings

A non-COVID ailment is impacting the Detroit roster at the same time.

“We’ve got illness running through our team,” Blashill said.

Forward Filip Zadina sat out Thursday’s game with this sickness. His status for Saturday is uncertain. At Friday’s practice both forward Michael Rasmussen and defenseman Marc Staal were absentees.

“I anticipate him being ready for tomorrow, but I won’t know for sure until tomorrow,” Blashill said of Rasmussen. Staal is listed as questionable for the game against the Lightning.

Stephens Progressing Slowly

Center Mitchell Stephens (broken ankle) is out of the blue non-contact jersey at practice but Blashill was warning against reading too much into that reality.

“I don’t have a timeline yet,” Blashill said. “We just got to keep measuring his ramp-up in terms of where he’s at. He hasn’t been able to run or jump, so off the ice he hasn’t been able to fire those fast-twitch muscles at all.

“He’s getting closer. What does that mean? It just depends on how quickly he can get his body back in a spot where he’ll be ready to play a hockey game and that isn’t anytime in the near future.”

Stephens has been out of the lineup since Nov. 13, missing Detroit’s last 48 games.