DETROIT — One notable face missing from the informal skates thus far has been Jiri Hudler, who is expected to skate on the Wings’ third line with Mike Modano and Dan Cleary.
He apparently has had trouble securing a visa. Cleary said he either had to go to Toronto or his native Czech Republic to take care of it.
“I told him he should shoot for Toronto and get in here and start skating,” Cleary said. “I’m sure we’ll see him on Monday. That little (expletive) should have been here by now.”
Hudler, who spent last season playing in Russia before opting out of that deal and start his two-year deal he was awarded in arbitration, has been training in Los Angeles.
Brad Stuart, Ruslan Salei, Derek Meech, Jakub Kindl and Mattias Ritola are the others that have yet to participate in the informal skates.
