The Detroit Red Wings have been in a very good position so far this season, not just because of the payroll or the fact that they’re 4-0, but it’s because they have plenty of depth on their fourth line.
The Wings will get back into action tonight when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Joe Louis Arena. Head coach Mike Babcock already announced that forwards Patrick Eaves and Fabian Brunnstrom will be healthy scratches.
Aside from being scratched tonight, Babcock did mention that Brunnstrom will make his season debut Saturday night when the Wings visit Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
“I think Brunnstrom’s a top-six forward, he’s going to play a lot on this team,” Babcock said. “He’s a real good player. We’ll just work that out.
“With (few) games, you don’t have injuries, the rotation is tough on guys. Patty Eaves is a great player, played a lot for us last year and is probably frustrated with the coach right now, but it’s all part of being on a team.
“They’re all going to get their opportunity to play. There’s too many games, there’s bound to be injuries.”
According to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com, Brunnstrom wasn’t aware that he was playing Sunday but he is excited.
“It’s good news,” Brunnstrom said. “Obviously, I knew that sooner than later I was probably going to be in the lineup.
“I recognize the situation. It’s a great team here with lots of good players, so I just had to wait my turn.”
Here is tonight’s lineup according to Khan…
Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Cleary
Hudler-Filppula-Franzen
Bertuzzi-Helm-Abdelkader
Miller-Emmerton-Holmstrom
Lidstrom-White
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Kindl
Howard (starting)
Conklin
Ref: Mlive.com,
