Alexei Marchenko was placed on injured reserve by the Red Wings on Sunday.

Marchenko was placed on injured reserve by the Red Wings on Sunday.

Analysis:

The reason for Marchenko's placement on IR remains a bit unclear, but it's retroactive to Sept. 28, making him eligible to return whenever he's healthy. It's unclear what the Red Wings plan to do with their defensive pairings when everyone's healthy, but Marchenko could be a candidate to remain with the big club.