Red Wings call up rookie defenseman from minors before critical matchup vs. Blues

The Detroit Red Wings are in deep trouble in terms of their place in the standings, having dropped back to back games to the divisional foe Montreal Canadiens and seeing them leapfrog them in the Atlantic Division.

In a twist that not many would have guessed before the start of the year, the Red Wings are now only ahead of the Buffalo Sabres, who have lost 14 straight, with Christmas right around the corner.

And not long after the news broke that defensemen Simon Edvinsson and Ben Chiarot would be unavailable for tonight's game against the visiting St. Louis Blues at Little Ceasars Arena, the Red Wings announced they were re-calling a young blue liner from the AHL.

Defenseman William Wallinder, whom the Red Wings selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, has been called up to the big club:

Wallinder has eight points (1G, 7A) in 19 games with the Griffins this year, and also has a -5 rating.

However, whether he plays tonight or not against the Blues hasn't been officially decided by coach Derek Lalonde.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings have also placed Edvinsson on Injured Reserve retroactive to the injury he suffered against the Flyers on December 18.

He'll be required to miss at least four games; tonight against the Blues will mark the 3rd game that he's been unable to play in since the injury.