The Daily: Viro Recalled To Grand Rapids; Another D Coming To Detroit?

Defenseman and Detroit Red Wings draft pick Emil Viro is back with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins were recalling Viro from the ECHL Toledo Walleye on Thursday.

What does that mean for the Detroit Red Wings? Maybe nothing. Or perhaps, the news on Filip Hronek’s condition might be worse than the original diagnosis.

UPDATE: The Red Wings on Thursday reassigned defenseman Eemil Viro to the Griffins from the @ToledoWalleye #GoGRG

Details >> https://t.co/bZv3aE6ndi pic.twitter.com/yHOSJeeRqf

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) December 15, 2022

Red Wings defenseman Hronek left Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild after absorbing a head check for Wild tough guy Ryan Reaves. According to Detroit coach Derek Lalonde, Hronek was seeking a return to action but doctors were overruling his request.

If Hronek isn’t unable be to playing in Saturday afternoon’s home game against the Ottawa Senators, it will be leaving Detroit with only six healthy defensemen. Olli Maatta (illness) and Robert Hagg (injured) were out Wednesday. If neither is ready to go on Saturday, journeyman veteran Steven Kampfer is likely to drawn into the lineup. He was recalled earlier in the week.

It’s possible that the Red Wings might be looking to add a depth defender for Saturday. That could mean a first NHL recall from one of Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson or Jared McIsaac. We’ll have a better idea of what’s going on with the Detroit defense following Friday’s practice.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Reaves isn’t getting an NHL suspension for his high hit on Red Wings D Filip Hronek
• Former Detroit forward Darren McCarty assesses that the Reaves check would’ve been considered a clean hit during his playing days
• Ex-Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg is being inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame

Red Wings Next Game

The Ottawa Senators come to Little Caesars Arena for a Saturday matinee with a 1 p.m. ET start. The Red Wings will be seeing their Atlantic Division rival visiting twice this month. The Senators are also coming to Detroit for the annual New Year’s Eve game.

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: It was looking as if Evgeni Malkin was suffering a serious injury with a Sidney Crosby shot banking off his leg into the Florida Panthers’ net. But he was fine after the game. Pittsburgh Penguins

Boston: The Bruins blew a two-goal lead and lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Los Angeles Kings. Boston Bruins

Philadelphia: Flyers coach John Tortorella benched center Kevin Hayes in Thursday’s 2-1 win over New Jersey. Philadelphia Flyers

Washington: A one-minute doomed the Capitals to defeat against the Dallas Stars. Washington Capitals

Islanders: Add the name of Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov to this list of those seeing the Reaves check on Hronek as a clean hit. New York Islanders

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Florida: Forward Matthew Tkachuk is the latest Panthers player to enter sick bay. Florida Panthers

Montreal: Are the Edmonton Oilers after Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson? Montreal Canadiens

Calgary: After getting hit in the head with a puck, Flames defenseman Chris Tanev is out again. Calgary Flames

Dallas: With Stars goalie Jake Oettinger turning in a 45-save performance, Dallas beat Washington. Dallas Stars

Colorado: The Avalanche were welcoming center Evan Rodrigues back to the lineup. Colorado Avalanche

Vegas: Both Kessels were scoring Thursday night – Phil for the Golden Knights and sister Amanda for Team USA vs Canada. Vegas Golden Knights

San Jose: Which Sharks’ stock has gone up and who’s is going down? San Jose Sharks