Got any extra tickets for Friday’s Detroit Red Wings game? If so, Wings coach Mike Babcock wants to hear from you.
Detroit sees its first action since Friday when the Wings take on their long-standing rivals the Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena, and judging by the demand for tickets, this Original Six battle has lost none of its luster.
“We know who we’re playing and they’re a good team,… Babcock said. “They must be. Our fans bought all the tickets. I can’t get tickets, so it must be an important game.…
It’s certainly a big night for the Wings, and for the Detroit organization as a whole. At the JLA, center Pavel Datsyuk (groin) is expected to return after a one-game absence.
“He’s one of the best players in the league, if not the best,… Detroit center Riley Sheahan said of Datsyuk. “He creates a lot of offense for us.…
Meanwhile, right-winger Tomas Jurco, still looking for his first goal of the season, will also be back in the lineup after a three-game absence as a healthy scratch. Jurco believes the Blackhawks could provide the salve for what ails his goal-scoring touch.
“They’re an offensive team with lots of skilled players,… Jurco said of the Blackhawks. “They have a really good offense, and even their defenders are really good offensively.
“But it’s a good chance for me to play their Ds low. I’m not saying they’re not good defensively, but obviously their strength is offense, so it’s going to be a good game and it’s always going to be a good game for fans when it’s a rivalry night.…
All eyes won’t be on Detroit, though. A few hours up Highway I-96, right-winger Anthony Mantha will suit up for his first game as a professional, as the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s American Hockey League farm club, play host to the Texas Stars in a meeting of the last two Calder Cup champions.
Mantha, Detroit’s first-round draft pick in 2013, hasn’t played since September after suffering a fractured leg during Detroit’s rookie tournament in Traverse City, Mich.
The first-year pro was given a solid chance of making the big club out of training camp, but the Wings frankly admit they don’t know how long it will take Mantha to get back up to game speed and display his wares to see if he’s worthy of an early NHL look.
“Obviously it’s a setback,… Babcock said. “We see how long it takes Pavel to get up to speed when he comes back to the NHL (from injury), never mind a kid who’s never played in the NHL, so he’s got to get traction and he’s got to get playing well.…
As to when Mantha might be a Red Wing, at this point that’s anybody’s guess.
“If that’s next fall, great,… Babcock said. “If it’s two months, great. You’re always watching your prospects with interest. You’re hoping some of the kids turn out to be real good players.…
As he makes the transition from junior – Mantha played with Val d’Or of the QMJHL last season – to the pros, he’ll face many challenges.
“He’s going from junior, so he’s going to have to be shortening his shifts and competing all the time,… Babcock said. “We haven’t seen him at the pro level, so we’re going to watch.…
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