The Detroit Red Wings have assigned d-man Alexey Marchenko to AHL Grand Rapids.
The moves leaves the Wings with seven healthy defenseman as they prepare for games Thursday and Friday in Florida (without Pavel Datsyuk).
Marchenko, a right-shooting blue-liner from Russia, has not played since Feb. 28 due to an oblique strain.
On that note, when the Wings acquired veteran right-shooting d-man Marek Zidlicky at the deadline, coach Mike Babcock made sure to say that they still “really like Marchenko” and that they’re “going to make sure he’s playing.”
The Griffins have games this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
