Detroit — The Red Wings need some sort of good news, some kind of spark, right about now. Maybe Tyler Bertuzzi can provide it.
Coach Derek Lalonde confirmed after Monday’s practice Bertuzzi will be in the lineup Tuesday when the Wings entertain Winnipeg.
Bertuzzi’s return appeared imminent after the Wings assigned Elmer Soderblom to Grand Rapids on Sunday.
Lalonde reunited the Bertuzzi, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond line during Monday’s practice, a line that was so productive much of last season.
“It’s a line that has had some success,” Lalonde said. “Unfortunately, Bert has been out for most of the year and we haven’t had too many looks at the line together. We’ll give them an opportunity (Tuesday) and see how it goes.”
This has been an almost nightmarish season for Bertuzzi. In the Wings’ second game, on Oct. 15, Bertuzzi broke his right hand blocking a shot. Bertuzzi missed 15 games, returned and played seven games before breaking the other hand, off a teammate’s shot.
The missed playing time stings for Bertuzzi, who can be an unrestricted free agent in July. With the uncertainty created by the injuries, the apparent slow progress in discussions with the Wings regarding an extension, and the Wings beginning to look like sellers again ahead of the March 3 trade deadline, there’s a fair chance now Bertuzzi could be moved.
Likely not the way Bertuzzi envisioned this season going.
“It has to be frustrating, just the way it went down,” said Lalonde, noting Bertuzzi’s minutes will be monitored the first few games. “Literally four periods in and he goes down, comes back and gets a few games under his belt and to find his rhythm, and he goes down again.
“But that’s behind him. He is back and he’s looked great in the last three, four, five practices and now hopefully it translates into (Tuesday’s) game. We’ll give him some opportunities. He’s playing with Dylan and Raymond, and he’s going to be net-front on that first (power play) unit.”
The Wings (16-15-7) are slipping the standings, have lost three consecutive games and four of their last five. But Lalonde hasn’t noticed any sense of demoralization.
“It’s human nature to look at the standings,” Lalonde said. “We don’t really talk about it, we realize where we’re at, but you win three of four games (several weeks ago) and you start flirting with now you have games in hand and you can visualize it. I’m sure these last three games again, it can be demoralizing but it has not looked demoralizing in their play.
“Guys are competing and trying, and now it’s taking that text step of flipping these tight games.”
Soderblom move
The decision to send Soderblom to the minors was a difficult one, but with a tight roster, a difficult lineup decision had to be made.
“He has done some great things, some ups and downs in his play, he was probably on an up of late,” Lalonde said. “He’s created some offense for us, especially in that stretch with the three wins before the three losses. At that same time, we haven’t had him on either special team. The other night he only got eight minutes (of ice time), so he’ll go down and grow his game and there’s a bright future for him.”
Lalonde wants to see Soderblom continue to eliminate turnovers, improve the “fast-twitch” in his game and continue to work defensively.
“But he grew in all those areas, which was impressive,” Lalonde said. “There’s been real good growth in a young player, which is all you can ask.”
Ice chips
Filip Zadina (lower-body) and Robert Hagg (lower-body) both practiced but in non-contact jerseys. There was optimism Zadina could return by next week, but that has slightly dimmed.
“A little bit of a setback, which is understandable with a lower-body injury and type of lower-body injury he had,” Lalonde said. “It’s probably week to week with him.”
… Lalonde said goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will finish his two-week conditioning stint in Grand Rapids, playing two of three games. Nedeljkovic was 2-0-1 with a 1.63 goals-against average and .950 save percentage for the Griffins last week.
… Lalonde said Ville Husso will get the start against Winnipeg on net.
Jets at Red Wings
▶ Faceoff: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
▶ TV/radio: BSD/97.1 FM
▶ Outlook: The Jets (26-13-1) have won five consecutive games and are coming off a 7-4 victory Sunday over Vancouver. … In that came LW Kyle Connor (Shelby Township) had three goals, giving Connor 20 for the season. … G Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce Township) is having an outstanding season (20-9-1, 2.30 GAA, .928 SVS).
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan