Lalonde also mentioned Zadina got hit in practice today, was looked at but will know more tomorrow.

Fabbri skated today but the Wings will be cautious with him.

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

The Detroit Red Wings had a lightly attended practice Thursday, using the benefit of some breathing room between games to let players with bumps and bruises heal. One guy, though, who won't be back right away is defenseman Ben Chiarot.

"Ben's been dealing with something upper-body," coach Derek Lalonde said Thursday. "He might be in that week-to-week range. We'll see him before the season is out, but he has been dealing with something for a little bit now."...

Forward Filip Zadina's practice ended after a reverse hit sent him to the bench, where he sat for a bit looking woozy before going to the room. Lalonde didn't have an update and expected to know more Friday.

Lalonde said he and general manager Steve Yzerman hadn't decided if anybody would be called up to offset Chiarot's absence. Unless another defenseman isn't available Saturday, the Wings do still have six regulars available in Moritz Seider, Jake Walman, Olli Määttä, Gustav Lindström, Robert Hägg and Jordan Oesterle.

Of the prospects with the Grand Rapids Griffins, reports on 2019 second-round pick Albert Johansson (five goals, 15 points, minus-7 in 53 games) have been positive. The No. 6 pick in 2021, Simon Edvinsson (five goals, 27 points, minus-2 in 50 games) has had a more up-and-down season, struggling to assert himself at times. The Wings could also lean on a veteran and call up Brian Lashoff.

read on

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

The Wings have enough bodies on defense to overcome Chiarot's absence, for now. But they'll definitely miss the physical nature and experience Chiarot has brought to the lineup.

"We don't (have that physicality); we're not built like that," Lalonde said. "A lot of times, a heavy hit, separation of puck in the defensive zone, Ben is that guy. Standing up for his teammates, things like that Ben obviously has the respect around the league.

"We'll certainly miss the big body."

The plus-minus rating in hockey has been devalued over the years with other sorts of defensive analytics taking on greater importance or popularity. Chiarot currently is a team-worse minus-27, but Lalonde doesn't put ample stock into the statistic.

"There's a reason that's (plus-minus) outdated," Lalonde said. "There's some truth to it. Bennie would be the first one to admit it's found him in a few situations, but I still think it's because of what we've asked of him. We're asking him to play his off-hand (not natural side) here, its (facing other teams) top lines.

"There's more of the season left for Bennie, but we're very happy with what he has brought us. Him being part of that core behind closed doors, he's been a very valuable addition to our team."

Look out

Filip Zadina got crunched during a drill in practice and was shaken up heading back to the bench. Zadina sat out the rest of the practice and his availability for Saturday is undetermined.

Lalonde said Zadina was "fine" but the coaching staff didn't get a full report.

"He took a reverse hit there in practice and looked a little woozy," Lalonde said. "I haven't heard either way. We'll know more (Friday). It's the luxury of having a day between our games before Saturday."

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