Wings' Darren Helm eager to finally see game action

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Buffalo, N.Y. -- Darren Helm was stepping over a pile of equipment trying to get back to his locker stall after the morning skate Tuesday when he nearly lost his balance and fell. Wouldn't that have been buzzard's luck?

The last thing he needed was a freak accident just hours before he was to get back into the lineup after missing a month with a shoulder injury. Helm was able to keep his balance, mercifully, but he had a much harder time keeping calm about finally being able to play again.

"It's been a long time," he said. "You don't ever expect to get hurt in camp, but it happens and you fight through it. I just look at it like it's given me an extra month to get even more excited about getting out there. It's going to be fun."

Helm will center the fourth line between Brad May and Patrick Eaves against Buffalo on Tuesday night. Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby were scratched.

"We will have a rotation for a bit until we get everything figured out," coach Mike Babcock said. "But I don't think that's bad thing."

Babcock could eventually move Helm up to the third line, playing him with Jason Williams and Tomas Holmstrom. That would move Justin Abdelkader down to the fourth line. It will all depend on how quickly Helm gets acclimated to game speed.

"We're going to watch, but our expectations are for Helm to be good," Babcock said. "We wouldn't play him if we didn't think he'd be good. He's going to bring energy, speed and a physical presence. He needs to bring all those things."

Helm still hasn't taken a hit at game speed on his shoulder.

"That's not even in my mind," he said. "I am just going to go out and do what I've done in the past. I believe I have prepared as well as I could have these last couple of weeks."