In light of goalie Curtis Joseph?s sprained right ankle and a slump by Manny Legace, who has never started in the playoffs, any thought of Dominik Hasek?s possibly returning from a groin injury was dashed Wednesday by Hasek?s agent.
Rich Winter said he doesn?t foresee Hasek?s returning to this season. Hasek ended his season Feb. 10 because of an inflamed groin.
?One doctor has recommended surgery and another complete rest,? Winter said. ?Take it from there.?
Winter is on vacation and said he hasn?t spoken to Hasek in at least 10 days. He said he received no impression that Hasek is physically able to return for the playoffs.
Hasek, 39, ended a one-year retirement to return to the Wings this season, but he played in only 14 games because of his injury.
General Manager Ken Holland said Wednesday that he hasn?t spoken to Hasek in at least two weeks. Holland didn?t make it appear as if Hasek would be an option if Joseph or Legace was unable to play, or was ineffective.
?Right now, Manny is healthy and I don?t think Curtis? situation is anything long-term,? Holland said. ?I haven?t talked to Dom, and I don?t know what his status is. He hasn?t been on the ice since the middle of the January. This is the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is the NHL. I find it hard to believe guys can come right out, after two years, and we?re going to put him in a playoff game not knowing what to expect.?
Coach Dave Lewis said he hasn?t spoken to Hasek in weeks. He said that because of the amount of time Hasek has missed, it would be impossible to consider his return at this point.
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Back at work
Legace hopes some breaks begin turning his way, beginning tonight against the Avalanche.
He has allowed 13 goals on 50 shots in his last three starts, two of which were losses and another in which he was pulled in the second period of a game the Wings went on to lose.
?I?m not getting the bounces and things are going in the net,? Legace said. ?It?s one of those things only hard work will get you out of it.?
Ice chips
The Wings and the Avalanche are slumping. The Wings are 1-3-1 in their last five games. The Avalanche, who were busy near the trade deadline, are 0-3-1 in their last four.
?They?ve made a lot of changes, they have a different look,? Lewis said. ?They?re bigger, stronger, physical.?
... Steve Yzerman was given a day off from practice Wednesday, but Lewis said Yzerman is fine and will play tonight. Defenseman Mathieu Schneider (groin) didn?t practice and will not play.
... Forward Kirk Maltby will return from Detroit this morning and be in the lineup. Maltby missed two games because of the birth of his first child.
Rich Winter said he doesn?t foresee Hasek?s returning to this season. Hasek ended his season Feb. 10 because of an inflamed groin.
?One doctor has recommended surgery and another complete rest,? Winter said. ?Take it from there.?
Winter is on vacation and said he hasn?t spoken to Hasek in at least 10 days. He said he received no impression that Hasek is physically able to return for the playoffs.
Hasek, 39, ended a one-year retirement to return to the Wings this season, but he played in only 14 games because of his injury.
General Manager Ken Holland said Wednesday that he hasn?t spoken to Hasek in at least two weeks. Holland didn?t make it appear as if Hasek would be an option if Joseph or Legace was unable to play, or was ineffective.
?Right now, Manny is healthy and I don?t think Curtis? situation is anything long-term,? Holland said. ?I haven?t talked to Dom, and I don?t know what his status is. He hasn?t been on the ice since the middle of the January. This is the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is the NHL. I find it hard to believe guys can come right out, after two years, and we?re going to put him in a playoff game not knowing what to expect.?
Coach Dave Lewis said he hasn?t spoken to Hasek in weeks. He said that because of the amount of time Hasek has missed, it would be impossible to consider his return at this point.
========
Back at work
Legace hopes some breaks begin turning his way, beginning tonight against the Avalanche.
He has allowed 13 goals on 50 shots in his last three starts, two of which were losses and another in which he was pulled in the second period of a game the Wings went on to lose.
?I?m not getting the bounces and things are going in the net,? Legace said. ?It?s one of those things only hard work will get you out of it.?
Ice chips
The Wings and the Avalanche are slumping. The Wings are 1-3-1 in their last five games. The Avalanche, who were busy near the trade deadline, are 0-3-1 in their last four.
?They?ve made a lot of changes, they have a different look,? Lewis said. ?They?re bigger, stronger, physical.?
... Steve Yzerman was given a day off from practice Wednesday, but Lewis said Yzerman is fine and will play tonight. Defenseman Mathieu Schneider (groin) didn?t practice and will not play.
... Forward Kirk Maltby will return from Detroit this morning and be in the lineup. Maltby missed two games because of the birth of his first child.
