Derek Meech will replace Brad Stuart in the Red Wings lineup tonight, according to Mlive’s Ansar Khan.
Stuart did not take the morning skate, opting to rest his bruised knee. He’s expected to return next Wednesday when Detroit visits the St. Louis Blues.
This will mark Meech’s first game of the season. He will play in Stuart’s spot alongside Niklas Kronwall.
One other change for the game against the New York Rangers will be Dan Cleary donning a visor to protect an irritated left eye. Cleary says that if he can get used to the visor he will keep it on permanently.