Category: Red Wings
Posted by Dave Dye (The Detroit News) on Sun, Dec 7, 2008 at 12:35 PMChelios ready to return
Defenseman Chris Chelios got a lot of much-needed ice time during his two games over the weekend with Grand Rapids, the Red Wings' minor-league affiliate.
Chelios, 46, had been out since late in the preseason because of a fractured right leg.
He is expected to return to the Wings for Monday's practice. Detroit's players got Sunday off.
Chelios, in his 25th NHL season, likely will be activated before Wednesday's game against Calgary. Darren McCarty (groin) has been put on the long-term injured list, which makes room for Chelios under the salary cap.
Whether coach Mike Babcock moves Chelios into the lineup right away is another question.
Brett Lebda, who would be the most likely player for Chelios to replace, was plus-2 in Saturday's victory over Chicago.
Lebda is also plus-6 in the last 12 games since returning to the lineup after getting benched with a minus-9 over the first 11 games.
The Wings certainly have some defensive issues, but they're also on a three-game winning streak.
