NOTEBOOK: Fabbri expected to make season debut for Red Wings on Wednesday

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings' wide array of young talent makes lineup decisions difficult for head coach Derek Lalonde. Now factor in several key Red Wings players nearing their respective returns to full health, and the choices are becoming even more challenging.

"It's kind of how this was designed," Lalonde said after Tuesday's practice. "You wanna get healthy. We've been unfortunate to not be healthy all year, but we're starting to head in that direction. We're gonna have these tough decisions. It's where we're at."

Lalonde said the Red Wings' forward lines for Wednesday's home game against the New Jersey Devils will "probably look like the 12 we had in our top four lines today," a group that included Robby Fabbri, but not Adam Erne.
"We literally went back and forth on who will be out tomorrow and why," Lalonde said. "And it literally could have been four to five different guys. That's exactly my point; we ultimately have to make a decision. It may not be the right decision, but it's put us in a tough spot for a tough reason."
Against the Devils, Lalonde said Fabbri will play on a line alongside Pius Suter and Oskar Sundqvist.
"What I've seen from Fabbri in practice, from watching some video back, I think he can complement our lineup anywhere," Lalonde said. "Right now, the top six have played really well. I think it was an easy flow and rhythm to put him on the wing with Suter there."
Before suffering a season-ending torn ACL against the Minnesota Wild on March 10, 2022, Fabbri had 17 goals and 13 assists in 56 games.

Lalonde discusses carrying three goalies

Detroit has carried three goalies since recalling netminder Magnus Hellberg from the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins on Dec. 11.
And according to Lalonde, for now, the Red Wings will continue to divide the starting duties between Ville Husso, Alex Nedeljkovic and Hellberg.
"We were a little fortunate having three goalies with Ville being unavailable for a week or so there," Lalonde said. "But I still think for the time being, even through this roster decision tomorrow, I would expect us to keep three goalies for a little bit."

When asked specifically about Nedeljkovic, who hasn't appeared in a game since Dec. 8, Lalonde said the 26-year-old goaltender is "still in the mix."
"I know it doesn't feel like that," Lalonde said. "He hasn't played for a long time. It's been unique on everyone, having a three-goalie system."