Red Wings recall Nosek, Oullet from AHL Grand Rapids

The Detroit Red Wings made a couple of call ups on Saturday, bringing center Tomas Nosek and defenseman Xavier Oullet up from their American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.

Oullet isn’t expected to play Sunday against the Calgary Flames, who are on quite the roll. Nosek is not going to play either,  as captian Henrik Zetterberg , who was questionable, is active.

Nosek has had two goals and seven points in 25 games this year in the AHL. An underdrafted free agent, Nosek, 23, has 13 goals and 41 points in 80 AHL games. Nosek did play in the preseason for the Wings, but still has yet to make his NHL regular season debut.

Oullet, 22, has had NHL experience before. He’s got two goals and an assist in 25 NHL games and two goals and 12 points in 25 AHL games this season. While Jonathan Ericsson is questionable for Sunday’s game, coach Jeff Blashill said that Jakub Kindl would be inserted into the lineup if Big E was unable to play.

The Wings make these call ups for depth purposes. They are only four points out of the Atlantic Division leading Montreal Canadiens and can easily make up ground. They can now rest a forward or defenseman and give these talented youngsters a chance to show their stuff.