Red Wings Notebook: Walman Likely Out Sunday; Larkin Gets Maintenance Day

The Detroit Red Wings will likely be facing the Minnesota Wild on Sunday without defenseman Jake Walman. Walman couldn’t finish Detroit’s second game in Sweden a week ago Friday. He was suffering an upper-body injury after crashing into a goal post.

Walman was able to play in Wednesday’s 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, but was unable to go Friday at Boston in a 5-2 Detroit victory. Following Saturday’s practice, Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde would confirm that Walman almost certainly will again be out with injury for Sunday afternoon’s 1 p.m. ET start at Little Caesars Arena against the Wild.

Per Coach Lalonde, Dylan Larkin (maintenance day) is expected to play tomorrow. Jake Walman (day-to-day) is questionable for tomorrow, more likely to play Wednesday in New York.

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 25, 2023

“I do not foresee Walman available tomorrow,” Lalonde said. “He’s in that day to day, probably from the incident in Europe, crashing into the net. Got through the next game and then kind of reaggravated there.

“He’s probably day to day situation. He’s possible for tomorrow but more realistically Wednesday in New York.”

Red Wings Give Captain Day Off

Another absence from practice on Saturday was Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin. Lalonde, though, was reassuring everyone that in this instance, there’s no cause for alarm.

“He’ll be available (Sunday),” Lalonde said, informing all that Larkin was merely being given a maintenance day.

Fabbri Firing On All Cylinders

Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri has been limited to seven games this season due to injury, but he’s starting to ignite his offensive game with two goals and an assist in the past two games.

“Special stick,” Lalonde said of Fabbri. “An NHL-caliber type stick. I think if it’s on his stick in a certain situation he can finish. That’s exactly what he’s done.

Robby Fabbri extends Detroit's lead to 3-1 with a one-timer! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/cY3gL2BU7j

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) November 24, 2023

“Really happy for him. It’s been a grind for him. There’s not a day as a staff we don’t appreciate everything he’s been through and obviously excited when he has some success and he certainly helps our team.”

Fabbri admits that the recent offensive outburst is helping him feel more at home back on the ice.

“It helps the confidence,” Fabbri said. “Just really getting my legs under me thse last few games. It’s definitely helping.”