HOWARD AND HELM TRADE PLACES

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Thursday recalled center Darren Helm from the Grand Rapids Griffins and assigned goaltender Jimmy Howard to the American Hockey League club.

Helm, who notched four points (2-2—4) in 18 Stanley Cup playoff games for Detroit last season, is expected to play tonight when the Red Wings host the Vancouver Canucks at 7:30 p.m. on FSN Detroit. He tallied one assist, a plus-one rating and a game-high seven shots in Grand Rapids’ season-opening 4-3 overtime loss at Lake Erie on Oct. 11.

Howard sustained a broken finger during the preseason and was activated from injured reserve today after having rehabbed with Grand Rapids for the last week. He will be available to make his first appearance of the season this Saturday when the Griffins return to the shores of Lake Erie to battle the Monsters at 1 p.m.