Wings hoping to get offensive charge from Nyquist

DETROIT – The Wings’ offense needs a boost.

On Monday they recalled skilled rookie forward Gustav Nyquist from Grand Rapids to hopefully provide that.

Nyquist is second on the Griffins in points with four goals and five assists.

“I don’t know if you want to call it a message; that’s not what it is to me,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said after practice at Joe Louis Arena. “I liked him in training camp. I thought he was an NHL player in training camp. If you go back and read my quotes, I think that’s what I said. And I think he still is. I think he’s a guy who can help our team.

“We’re going to put him in the lineup and find out,” Babcock added.

Babcock said he hadn’t decided what line Nyquist will play on, but it’s more than likely play on a top-two line with skilled players.

“What I’ve found out of the years is that the guys who play best get more minutes,” Babcock said. “I try to evaluate that after every game.

“He wants the puck and he’s a skilled play who doesn’t scare you to death,” Babcock added. “He’s good without the puck and he’s been great in the American League, and the ball is in his court now, and he’ll come up and we’ll see what he can do.”

During the Wings’ current four-game losing streak, the Wings have only four goals.

“He had a good training camp, he’s playing real well in the AHL,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “We need to score some goals. We’ll see if he can come in. He’s 23, he’s played three years of college, he’s a little bit older. We’ll see what he can bring.”

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Nyquist called up from Grand Rapids

DETROIT — Wings general manger Ken Holland said they are calling up Gustav Nyquist from Grand Rapids to replace Fabian Brunnstrom on the rosters.

Nyquist, a rookie, will play Tuesday at home against the Minnesota Wild.

More details to come.

UPDATE — Brunnstrom clears waivers

DETROIT — Fabian Brunnstrom got his wish and he’s staying in the Red Wings’ organization.

Brunnstrom was not claimed off waivers and therefore the Wings assigned him to Grand Rapids.

There is no extra forward on the ice to replace Brunnstrom, 26, on the roster, but that news could come after practice.

If the Wings decide to recall Brunnstrom, who signed a two-way deal out of training camp, does not have to clear re-entry waivers to come back because his AHL salary is not more than $105,000.

Brunnstrom played in one game this season, Oct. 22 at Washington and had just over eight minutes of ice time.

The Wings could recall Gustav Nyquist or Chris Conner from Grand Rapids or defenseman Brendan Smith so he could serve the final two games of his NHL suspension.

Will update.

Kronwall locked up for seven more years

DETROIT — The Wings have inked defenseman Niklas Kronwall to a seven-year deal worth $4.75 million a season.

Kronwall, 30, was in the final year of a five-year deal that paid him $3 million a season.

Headed down to practice to get more details.

Brunnstrom waived

Wings general manager Ken Holland has confirmed that Fabian Brunnstrom has been placed on waivers.

Teams have until 11:59 a.m. on Monday to put in a claim or Brunnstrom will be assigned to Grand Rapids.

Holland basically said Brunnstrom needs to play.

More to come.

Brunnstrom waived?

TSN.ca’s Bob McKenzie is reporting that the Wings have waived Fabian Brunnstrom.

All I can confirm so far is that Brunnstrom is a healthy scratch tonight against the Minnesota Wild.

He has played in just one game this season with the Wings.

More to come…

Emmerton, Brunnstrom out against Sharks; Abdelkader centering fourth line

DETROIT — After being being outscored a combined 11-2 in their last two games, Wings coach Mike Babcock has made his decision on his lineup and line combinations for Friday’s home game against the San Jose Sharks.

“The last two games anyway you look at it we’ve been beaten 11-2, that’s a lot to a little,” Babcock said aftrer practice Thursday. “I thought we were fine in Washington, actually I thought we were really good through two periods. I didn’t think in Columbus we were at all. Any time you get behind the eight ball in this league early you’re in trouble.”

Cory Emmerton and Fabian Brunnstrom will sit, while Justin Abdelkader will center the fourth line with Drew Miller and Tomas Holmstrom on wing.

“I didn’t like (Patrick) Eaves and Holmstrom together on the fourth line, I didn’t think there was enough skating there,” Babcock said. “I wanted to play those guys more and in order to do that I’ve got Abdelkader there.

“I think Eaves and Miller are real important on our penalty kill and right now Cory Emmerton, he was out last game and out this game, I’m not sure if that’s the right thing to do because he’s a real good player,” Babcock added. “But that’s what I’m doing.”

The Sharks have eliminated Detroit from the playoffs each of the last two seasons.

“We’ve had two good series with San Jose and they’ve eliminated us from the playoffs two years in a row,” Babcock said. “You can’t make up for that by winning a game in the regular season, but it sure makes you feel better. It’s an important game for our team because anytime you lose a game you want to stop it right away.”