Jonas Brodin will make his NHL debut tonight in Detroit against the Red Wings.
The rookie defenseman, who missed 11 weeks with Houston because of a broken clavicle, is expected to be paired with Clayton Stoner.
Brodin, 19, will replace Jared Spurgeon. He'll take Spurgeon's spot on the second power-play unit as well.
Spurgeon, who has a bone bruise above the ankle, is not skating this morning at practice at Joe Louis Arena.
General Manager Chuck Fletcher said the team will take it slow with Spurgeon and "we'll see about Sunday" in St. Louis.
Stoner's partner the first three games, Tom Gilbert, is expected to be paired tonight with Ryan Suter.
The Red Wings heavily pursued Suter last summer.
Josh Harding vs. Jimmy Howard tonight in goal.
