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Just Call Him Little Big Man

January 21, 2018, 6:37 PM ET [4 Comments]
Bob Duff
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
There was a curmudgeonly NHL scout that used to work the Western Hockey League who was always espousing unique ways of assessing talent.

“I love those 5-7 guys who play like they are 6-3,” was one of his go-to analogies.

Joe Hicketts would be that guy.

Recalled Sunday from AHL Grand Rapids, Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that the 5-8, 180-pound Hicketts would make his NHL debut Monday against the New Jersey Devils.

Little big man would be an apt description for the way Hicketts, 21, plays the game.

“He can definitely play power play,” Wings forward Martin Frk, who played with Hicketts in GR last season, told Mlive.com. “He’s got a good shot. And also for how small he is, he can really hit. He can be really physical. He’s a little small but he’s playing like he’s a tall guy.”

Those qualities aren’t all that Hicketts brings to the ice.

“He can move the puck very well,” Frk said. “His first pass is very good. He was one of our best D there last year.”

There’s another element to Hicketts’ character that Blashill is certain that his team, losers of four of their last five, could use and injection of right about now.

“Joe has a couple things I love,” Blashill explained. “He’s got swagger and he’s got a great brain for the game. I think we could use some of that swagger.

“We need a little more offense from our back end. He hasn’t had an unreal year, production-wise, this year, but if you look historically, certainly his point production last year as a rookie, his point production his last few years of junior were great.”

This chance for Hicketts arose when Trevor Daley suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

“It’s not something that’s going to keep him out for a month or anything like that, but it could be through the all-star break for sure,” Blashill said of Daley.

Opportunity is knocking for Hicketts and it’s up to him to make the most of it.

“We’re going to give him a look,” Blashill said. “I don’t know if it’ll be a long look or short look. He’ll have something to say about that.”

Injury Updates
The latest news on Detroit’s other walking wounded was far more promising.

Forwards Luke Glendening (wrist) and Justin Abdelkader (lower body) could be back sooner rather than later. Abdelkader and forward Darren Helm (lower body) each joined practice on Sunday for the first time since their injuries.

“I think Glenny’s getting real close,” Blashill said. “There’s potential for Glenny for Tuesday night against Philadelphia at home.

“Abby’s got a chance to play Thursday against Chicago. I think Helm will be after the all-star break.”

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