In Red Wings Land

For Detroit Red Wings players under COVID protocol, return back may not be all smooth - Freep

“It’s a minimum of 14 days,” Blashill said. “They can’t exercise or exert themselves until those 14 days are up. That’s at a minimum. How many days after that is really hard to tell. But being off for 14 days, that’s a long time.

“Part of the process is getting them back into shape so they don’t injure themselves. That would be the No. 1 priority, so they don’t have soft-tissue issues. It will be very difficult to get them into as many game situations as you’d like because of the fact it’s just really, really hard to practice.”

So do you think the NHL sends guards to watch the players to make sure they’re not exerting themselves?  Maybe helpers?

“No Zadina, that plate is on way too high a shelf and reaching up would be exertion. Let me get that for you.”

Around the NHL

NHL Power Rankings: 1-31 poll, plus the best new face for every team in the 2021 season - ESPN

31. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 28

Record: 2-4-1

This week: @ DAL (Jan. 28); vs. FLA (Jan. 30, Jan. 31)

The Red Wings’ blue line got a significant overhaul this season, but forward Bobby Ryan has made the biggest early impact. The veteran became the first player in franchise history to score four goals in their first three appearances with the team.

Oh no we suck again.