Grosse Pointe Woods — With Jonathan Ericsson ready to return to the lineup against the Avalanche Saturday, outdoors at Coors Field, the Red Wings skated with a reconstituted defense corps in practice today at University Liggett School.
Coach Jeff Blashill’s top pair remained in place, as Kyle Quincey skated with Danny DeKeyser.
Niklas Kronwall, who returned to the lineup Tuesday in the 2-1 shootout victory against the Blue Jackets, skated with the rookie Alexey Marchenko. And Mike Green paired with Ericsson.
Brendan Smith and Xavier Ouellet skated as a fourth unit, with the possibility that Ouellet might be destined for Grand Rapids.