The Detroit Red Wings were dealt another blow by injury, when Valtteri Filppula suffered a broken wrist on a Gilbert Brule hit. The injury happened in the 2nd period during Thursday night's 6-5 shootout loss to the Oilers in Edmonton.
Filppula, a 25 year old center from Finland, has been a solid secondary scorer from the 3rd line on a deep Red Wing squad for the last 2 years. Used more as a checker in the past, Detroit was looking to Filppula to help pick up some offensive slack and moved to center the 2nd line after Johan Franzen tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and isn't expected back until March.
Filppula is becoming a solid 2-way player, had a career high of 40 points last season and 16 playoff point in last years 23 playoff games. He had 2 goals, 4 assists with 3 PP points in 11 games this season. Fantasy analysis after the break.
Fantasy Wise: The Red Wing likely will choose to break up Datsyuk/Zetterberg to give them an experienced offensive center on the top 2 lines, now that they've gotten it going somewhat. If that does indeed play out, Zetterberg would go back to centering Bertuzzi and Cleary on the 2nd line. Datsyuk will continue to center Holmstrom on the top line with Jason Williams or Ville Leino the top candidates to move up to the top unit. Both Williams and Leino are less than 10% owned. If you have a free roster spot, pluck either now or at least Watch List them.
The Red Wings have plenty of forwards to fill in for their injured players, but Detroit was trying to ease in some of their younger players. Justin Abdelkader looks to be the most likely to slip into the vacated lineup spot, but he will likely be manning the 3rd or 4th line.
Abdelkader, Helm, Eaves and Helm could also see increased ice time but look to probably make up Detroit's 3rd line, with the odd man dropping to the 4th line. All 4 players are less than 10% owned but not worth anything more than being put on your Watch List right now.
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