After missing 20 games and 28 of the last 32, the 25-year-old forward was back on the ice for the Detroit Red Wings, who lost 3-2 Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
The loss came just two days after upsetting the NHL-leading Boston Bruins, but scores are arguably irrelevant for the Red Wings these days. Sure, blowout losses won’t make Hockeytown fans happy, but in large part, it’s more about player development than anything else.
Anyone associated with the Red Wings organization – whether it’s fans, players, management, etc. – know it isn’t fun right now looking up at the entire NHL in the standings.