DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned forward Gustav Nyquist to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Red Wings are hoping that center Darren Helm can return as early as Wednesday at home against Minnesota.
"He's skating today and tomorrow and after two days of practice I'd assume it's a Wednesday morning decision,'' general manager Ken Holland said.
Helm has appeared in only one game (Jan. 25 vs. Minnesota) due to a back injury (slight tear in disc) suffered three days before training camp.
"If Helm is in the lineup, great. If not, we'll reassess Thursday and might bring back Nyquist for the California trip (four games, starting in Anaheim Friday),'' Holland said.
The Red Wings would have sent down Nyquist today whether or not Helm was close to returning.
"(Coach Mike Babcock) will use the same 12 forwards Wednesday if Helm can't go,'' Holland said. "Why keep Nyquist as a healthy scratch? Grand Rapids has a game on Tuesday.''
The club had recalled Nyquist last Tuesday for its three-game trip to Western Canada. He played in the first two games, picking up one assist, and was scratched Saturday in Vancouver. He has appeared in four games for the Red Wings this season (no goals, one assist).
Nyquist, 23, is leading the AHL in scoring with 60 points (23 goals, 37 assists) in 57 games.