Draper to miss first two playoff games
Head coach Mike Babcock announced that Kris Draper would miss the first two games of the first round series against Columbus. The upper-body injury still allows him to practice with the team, but prevents him from playing in a game. As a result, Darren Helm has been recalled from Grand Rapids and inserted into the lineup.
Additionally, Dan Cleary appeared to have suffered some sort of injury during practice this morning according to Bruce MacLeod of the Macomb Daily. Just because he left the ice early doesn't mean he won't be able to play on Thursday, but it certainly is not an encouraging sign.
Bruce reports that these were the lines in practice after Cleary left:
Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Hossa
Franzen-Zetterberg-Samuelsson
Hudler-Filppula-Kopecky
Draper-Helm-Maltby
Andreas Lilja will also miss playoff action until further notice. Before today, Lilja was the only player with a known serious injury that would keep a player out of the lineup. With the possibility that Lilja, Draper and Cleary may all miss action, that is certainly a discouraging idea. IwoCPO at Abel to Yzerman is all aboard the stress train when he learned about the injuries. It just wouldn't feel like the playoffs without a little stress now would it?
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Interesting
So I wonder what will happen if Cleary and Draper are both out? Call up Ville! Or Chelli at forward again?
by Casey Richey on Apr 14, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd say Leino.
If it was a regular season game where the cap was a problem, Cheli would probably be a short-term fix.
But in the playoffs and no salary cap worries, I would expect them to pull up Leino or at the very least bump Derek Meech up to forward.
by Christy on Apr 14, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah yes
Forgot about the salary cap not being a factor in postseason. Leino would be good move I think. He clearly showed he can produce on the NHL level.
by Casey Richey on Apr 14, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leino over Cheli….obviously.
Craziest Devils Fan West of the Mississippi
by stevens8204 on Apr 14, 2009 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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