More Afternoon Player Notes in the Draft (Oct 17)

The Detroit Red Wings are set to welcome back a couple of regulars into their lineup tonight, as they go into Montreal to take on the Canadiens. Pool defenseman Danny DeKeyser leads the way, as he has healed from a sprained ligament in his foot, while non-pool forward Darren Helm has successfully healed from a concussion and a sprained shoulder. Both players were hurt during the preseason and have yet to dress for the Wings this season.

Benson will be happy to get DeKeyser in his lineup, as his offensive game is starting to mature with the rest of the team and he could be a very useful defender in the offensive end.  His team opens Saturday night, 11 points out of 3rd place.

It sounds like Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie is getting a call to the carpet for his charging hit on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Simon Despres, which knocked the Ducks player out of the game on Friday night and could cost him Sunday's game against the Minnesota Wild. There were no specifics, from what I read this afternoon, on what Despres' injury actually is, but we're keeping an eye on it for now.  Usually, if it's a charge, the hit was high, which means a head injury, which isn't great to start with, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Not great news for Troy, who is also starting the year at the wrong end of the standings, down in 23rd spot to start Saturday night.  He has been terribly unlucky with his two starting goalies and losing a body on the blueline won't help his cause much either.