Red Wings: Notebook

Injuries proving Red Wings have depth issues

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Toronto -- Organizational depth has been a point of pride for the Red Wings over the past decade or so. There always seems to be a young player or two ready, maybe more than ready, to fill a hole on the roster.

That depth has been taxed to the point of depletion since the end of last season, particularly on the forward line. Four veteran forwards left via free agency (Marian Hossa, Mikael Samuelsson, Jiri Hudler and Tomas Kopecky). And since the season started, the Wings have lost Johan Franzen (knee), Valtteri Filppula (wrist) and now Jason Williams (fractured fibula).

"It's very tough," Henrik Zetterberg said. "But we have to find a way to win with the players that we have."

General manager Ken Holland said Sunday that assuming Patrick Eaves returns as expected after missing the 5-1 loss in Toronto on Saturday because of a bruised foot, he will not call up another forward from Grand Rapids.

"If Eaves can play, it won't be necessary to call up a guy just to have him sit in the press box," Holland said. "We've lost a full line now, with Fil, Franzen and Williams, but you look around the league, other teams are dealing with injuries, too.

"Last year, we had tremendous offensive depth and we could have some injuries and still play the same style. This year, we are going to have to really tighten up and clamp down defensively."

Because of the injuries, players who were expected to play limited or specialist type roles -- like Justin Abdelkader, Brad May, Eaves and Kirk Maltby -- are getting 18 to 20 shifts a game.

Young players like Darren Helm and Ville Leino, who were expected to play supporting roles in their first full NHL seasons, now are being asked to be major point producers.

"It's something we are going to have to fight through," captain Nick Lidstrom said. "Other forwards are going to play more and they are going to have to take advantage of their ice time. We need all of us to play better now."

If Eaves can't go Wednesday in Columbus, Holland will decide from a trio of Grand Rapids forwards -- Kris Newbury, the Griffins' scoring leader with three goals and six assists, Jeremy Williams (five goals) and Mattias Ritola (one goal, four assists) -- to replace him.

"Very few teams have depth anymore," Holland said. "The teams that do, teams like Chicago, have picked high in the draft and have a few entry-level kids who are going to cost them twice as much next season (thus cutting into their depth).

"I think we have a good team, just not a deep team. And by depth, I mean in our ability to score. Goal scorers cost you -- either in salary cap space or they cost you a high draft pick to get them. We're not picking high in the draft year after year."

But Holland pointed out the Wings typically have won Stanley Cups with teams built on defense, not explosive offense.

"The reason we've had success in the playoffs is because of our ability to clamp down and play tight-checking hockey with good goaltending," Holland said. "Last year's team was now who we are. That was just a one-year window where he had the luxury of a ton of offensive talent. But when we won in 2007-2008, we were the best defensive team in the league.

"That's what we're going to have to be again."

Power outage

The obvious by-product of the injuries and free agent departures is a watered down power play. The Wings have scored once in their last 18 chances since Filppula went down, and just three times in the last 29.

"Last year we had the luxury of two number one power-play units," Holland said. "This year we have one number one unit."

Whenever he can, coach Mike Babcock has used Pavel Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom on the first unit. He has mixed and matched on the second, most recently using Danny Cleary between Todd Bertuzzi and Leino.

"I thought we had some chances (Saturday)," Lidstrom said. "Their goalie (Jonas Gustavsson) played well. But you can still get more shots to the net and be there for the rebounds. We're still only getting one shot at the net at a time."

The Wings, the No. 1 power-play unit last season, are 15th this season (20 percent).

chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489