Red Wings to Recall Robbie Russo

With defenseman Ryan Sproul shelved by a sprained knee suffered in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night, the Red Wings will recall Robbie Russo to take his place.

The Wings will recall defenseman Robbie Russo from Grand Rapids to fill hole left by the injured Ryan Sproul.

— Chuck Pleiness (@wingsfrontman) March 5, 2017

I’m okay with this call-up and was hoping for either Russo or Joe Hicketts. Basically anyone except for Brian Lashoff, who inexplicably got called up in December over the then-buried Nick Jensen.

Russo was signed by the Red Wings in 2015 as an unsigned draft pick of the New York Islanders.  In his professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season, he was named to the AHL All-Rookie team and was a second-team all-star.  This year he represented Grand Rapids at the AHL All-Star Challenge.  He has seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points in 56 games this season for the Griffins, good for first among the team’s defensemen.