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Red Wings' Joe Hicketts: Shipped down to minors

Hicketts has been a healthy scratch the last three games, so the decision to send him down to the minors could simply be to get him some ice time. The team also deployed a lineup that included seven defensemen against Columbus on Tuesday, and flipping Hicketts for Wade Megan will allow them to take a more traditional 12/6 approach.

Red Wings' Joe Hicketts: Pressured to adjust on fly

The blue-line prospect from Kamloops, British Columbia has stumbled out of the gate, which is particularly disappointing since Hicketts had three assists, nine hits, 12 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating over his first five games at the top level in 2017-18. In fairness to the 22-year-old defenseman, he's already been tested in a precarious situation, as several Wings defensemen have sat out with their respective injuries early in this season. Learning on the fly should do wonders for Hicketts' long-term development, but he's not a recommended fantasy play at this time.

Red Wings' Joe Hicketts: Recalled by big club

Hicketts was one of Detroit's final cuts from training camp, so with Niklas Kronwall (undisclosed) and Jonathan Ericsson (upper body) both ailing, it's not exactly surprising to see him back with the big club so soon. The 22-year-old blueliner could make his season debut as soon as Thursday against the Blue Jackets.

Red Wings' Joe Hicketts: Barely misses cut, sent to AHL

It's surprising that both Hicketts and Filip Hronek were assigned to AHL Grand Rapids. Mike Green (illness) was placed on the non-roster IR, and Niklas Kronwall (undisclosed) is no lock for the season home opener against the Blue Jackets on Thursday, At any rate, Hicketts should still be motivated to prove that he belongs at the top level after he produced three assists, nine hits, 12 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating over five games in his debut season with the Wings in 2017-18.

Red Wings' Joe Hicketts: Shuffled back to minors

Hicketts made a strong impression with the Red Wings in his brief stint with the club, racking up three assists and a plus-5 rating with the team over five contests. He will return to the AHL to assist the Griffins as they attempt to earn a playoff berth, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the budding blueliner battle for a roster spot in training camp next season.