DETROIT - Darren Helm is out six-to-eight weeks with an upper-body injury, leaving the Detroit Red Wings with spots to fill on the top line and on the penalty kill.
Helm had been skating with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha, using his speed on the forecheck and providing a net-front presence. Justin Abdelkader has filled that spot in practice the past two days.
"I think Justin Abdelkader has been really good in the last little stretch," coach Jeff Blashill said. "I put him up on that line with Larkin and Mantha in that game (Saturday). I'm not saying that's exactly what we'll do, but he fills a similar-type role, where he's a forechecker and a net-presence guy and both those guys want that.