10/20 Notes

Kris Draper Update Both papers report that Draper has a condition called "retinal edema," which means he has a fluid buildup in his eye. Apparently, it is no big worry and he may be back as soon as Friday's game against the Ducks: his orbital bone will be checked out before the game and a decision on his status will be made. Whenever we see Draper next, he will be wearing a visor. And this is why:

(courtesy DetNews.com)

Not pretty. His kids agree and that is the major reason he will work to adapt to a visor. Ken Holland says he will now discuss visors with the rest of the team and encourage them to protect their eyes. As of now, Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk, Steve Yzerman, Kirk Maltby, Mikael Samuelsson and Henrik Zetterberg wear visors. Jiri Fischer, who had to wear a visor in the Czech Republic last year, told the Detroit News,

"I wouldn't mind it (wearing a visor) at all. It has its benefits, but there's downsides to it, also. Everybody sees the pucks in the face, and getting hit around the eyes, and thinks it would prevent injuries. But if you get (hit) in the visor with a shoulder, easily it'll smash your nose no matter what."

Good point, Jiri, but we aren't going to see players wearing full-cage masks, the most obvious way to prevent such cases. As of now, only players coming off injuries can wear such masks anyway. (UPDATE (21:23 PM): Click here in case you don't believe me. The NHL Rulebook is a handy tool.) So, it seems the only way to prevent injuries is to legislate hitting up high (could be tougher on this) and penalizing players for letting their sticks fly around (which is what the new rules do anyway). Defenseman Nick Lidstrom, who wore a visor early in his career, supports the League making it mandatory for incoming players and it's hard to disagree with him, after seeing what a puck to the face can do. I have a feeling that's what we'll end up seeing. UPDATE (21. Oct, 1:00 AM): Christy has some more on this at her own blog, Behind the Jersey. The Captain's injury It sounds like it wasn't a re-aggravation after all: Steve Yzerman has a groin injury but according to the News, it is unrelated to the groin injury that kept him out for the first four games. The paper says that The Captain participated in some drills Tuesday but was unable to finish. He is questionable for tomorrow's game against the Ducks and may not play in the two games in Columbus after that. Babcock is, "not counting on him for the weekend." The worry that Yzerman's season could turn out like Hull's is starting to take hold in my mind.... Also, NHL.com's Doug Ward has a very flattering article up about the Wings. (via. Kukla's Korner)