Turple to Grand Rapids

A glimpse inside my head when I saw the press release on the Thrashers assigning Dan Turple to Grand Rapids (who is not affiliated of course): "That's odd. Where's Logan Koopmans?"

First, how concerned should we be that I can name the Red Wings fifth-string goaltender who hasn't even played yet -- anywhere -- this year?

If you too are wondering where Logan Koopmans is, and how his injury plays into Turple's loan, look no further. It appears that Koopmans could be coming back from injury soon, making this a short trip for Turps. From the Grand Rapids Press of Jan. 14, 2008:

"Meanwhile, goalie Logan Koopmans also arrived in Grand Rapids over the weekend to get some work in practice. Koopmans has spent most of the season with the parent club Detroit Red Wings recovering from a difficult hernia surgery.

"He just arrived here Friday. He's here to get some practice time, he's here to get some shots. It's hard to pinpoint when he'll be able to come back and help us, or if he can help us, or if he's completely healed," Griffins coach Mike Stothers said. "It's been hard for him because every time he thinks he's taken a step forward, he ends up taking two steps back. So we're very guarded on his condition right now."

We knew going into the season that Detroit's pool of goaltenders is thin, and mlive.com points it out as well.

"...as the Wings' pool of available goaltenders is very shallow (the only other goaltender in the organization is Daniel Larsson, who is yet unsigned and is playing for Djurgardens IF in Sweden), the Wings will give Koopmans every opportunity to re-start his career within the organization."

As far as how the loan of Turple came about, we know that both the Red Wings and Thrashers as well as the Wolves and Grand Rapids are tight. It probably came about at the Red Wing/Thrashers level though. All the GM's are gathered in sunny Florida right now.

And I think it's a very safe bet that Detroit takes a goaltender, or two, in the next entry draft.