GRAND RAPIDS — As the Red Wings ponder in the coming weeks bolstering the lineup with help from the club’s minor league affiliate, team brass will likely consider a number of names.



Tyler Bertuzzi and Matt Puempel are among the forwards who have performed well in Grand Rapids. Defenseman Joe Hicketts, by virtue of an outstanding training camp, has gained traction at various points this season as well.



But conspicuously absent from the list of NHL-ready players positioning themselves for a promotion is Evgeny Svechnikov. Svechnikov was expected by many to compete for a spot with the big club in training camp, but a preseason neck injury scuttled those hopes for the 21-year-old Russian. And in 17 games back, he’s not exactly lighting up the AHL.



Svechnikov, a first-round pick in 2015 (19th overall), has a mere two goals and four points since his return. Considering his standout 20-goal, 51-point rookie campaign last season, his lack of...