Detroit City Wire

Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, speaking at the Little Caesars Arena's BELFOR Training Center, expressed concern for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Before addressing questions from the media following Thursday morning's practice, McLellan shared his thoughts with the community he was once a part of during his tenure as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 2019 to 2024.

"Hockeytown and everyone here in Detroit are thinking of those people in L.A.," said McLellan. "I’m not just saying that because I have a lot of friends and some family there, but we’re obviously sending our prayers to those people."

The focus then shifted to team matters, where McLellan provided updates on injured players Jeff Petry and Alex Lyon. Petry has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to January 2nd due to an undisclosed injury, while Lyon is dealing with an upper-body injury after not playing beyond the first period in Tuesday’s game against Ottawa Senators.

"Day-to-day right now," commented McLellan regarding Lyon's condition. "He may get on the ice as early as tomorrow. We’ll see what happens." On Petry’s status, he added, "Petey went on IR, never a good sign. He’s likely not going to play this week."

With Lyon’s uncertain status, Ville Husso was recalled from Grand Rapids Griffins. Though it was their first meeting in person since Husso joined from AHL, McLellan noted Husso's familiarity with NHL play: “Ville isn’t an unknown quantity,” said McLellan.

Husso expressed enthusiasm about rejoining Detroit: "I would love to be in the NHL full time for sure," he stated.

This season at Grand Rapids saw Husso achieve a record of six wins and one loss over eight games with notable stats including a goals-against average of 1.86 and save percentage of .935.

Reflecting on his time under Coach Roope Koistinen at Grand Rapids and watching Red Wings' recent performances under McLellan's leadership resulting in five consecutive wins so far this season: “The team is doing really good,” remarked Husso.