DETROIT-- Just when it appears you’re on the road to recovery, you suffer yet another setback, which further delays your return to the ice.
Welcome to the life of Red Wings forward Darren Helm.
Helm left the ice early on Friday because something didn’t feel right, and on Saturday he found out he strained his groin and is listed as day-to-day.
“It is almost kind of comical the way these things keep happening,” said an optimistic Helm. “I came off (on Friday), wasn’t too happy, but it wasn’t my back.
“So, I’m not too upset about it. I don’t think it’s going to keep me off the ice too long.”
Helm has been battling an undiagnosed back aliment for several months, which limited him to just one game last season. Throughout this offseason, he's been diligent in his rehab process, with his sights set on being cleared to participate in training camp, which starts Thursday in Traverse City.
That could be an iffy proposition now.
“The plan is to see how I feel Thursday,” Helm said. “This is not the way I wanted to start camp. I worked pretty hard to be able to get back and be able to participate and now this.
“If it’s not the back, it’s another thing. So, it’s just get healthy and see what I can do.”
As it stands now, Helm is not cleared to be on the ice. When he receives clearance is anybody’s guess.
Report: Cleary to Flyers
Daniel Cleary was back with his former teammates on Monday and told reporters that he would make a decision about his future soon.
“I’m talking to two teams," he said. It’s not an easy decision to make. I have to come up with something today (Monday) and figure out what I’m going to do."
The Detroit Free Press reported early Tuesday morning that Cleary decided to accept a deal -- three years at $2.75 million per season -- from the Philadephia Flyers.
Tootoo: Approach to camp never changes
Jordan Tootoo plays the game on the fringe -- and he’s always on the fringe of making the team each season.
“Every year is like a tryout camp for me," he said. "That’s how I take it mentally. I just have to prepare every day to be the best that I can because there’s a hundred other guys that want to be in your spot.
“I’m coming into camp with the mindset of fighting for a spot on the team, and that’s the bottom line.”
Tootoo is well aware of the Wings' roster and cap woes, and that he has been mentioned in trade rumors.
“I’ve been through a lot of (bleep) over the years," he said. "This is what makes you a stronger person, both on and off the ice. It’s about mentally being strong, and having the will and courage to overcome hard times.
“That’s why we have the guys in the dressing room. We’re all family. We pick each other up when someone’s down, and that’s what great about this game.”
Although he constantly draws praise from Babcock, it’s obvious that the Wings are willing to move Tootoo.
