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Red Wings' Brendan Smith close to returning, others not this week

DETROIT - Most of the Detroit Red Wings' injured players won't return this week, general manager Ken Holland said on Monday.

Defenseman Brendan Smith is one exception. He's been out since Nov. 26 with a sprained right MCL but might return for Tuesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

"He looks good, feels good," Holland said. "If not (Tuesday), then we'll talk about Thursday (at Ottawa)."

Holland said forwards Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader and defenseman Mike Green won't be back this week.

Helm suffered a dislocated left shoulder on Nov.