EDMONTON, Alberta -- Injuries on the Detroit Red Wings' defense have enabled Jakub Kindl to get some valuable early season ice time, which has been good for his growth.

He has made some mistakes, as any rookie would, but he has learned from his miscues.

Coach Mike Babcock said Kindl has had two tough games out of nine, heading into Friday's game at Edmonton. He was a minus-2 in the 5-4 shootout loss to Colorado on Oct. 12, and he played only three shifts the last two periods of a 4-2 loss to Phoenix on Oct. 28, after getting beat in the neutral zone on a play that led to a Coyotes goal in the first period.

Babcock was pleased to see Kindl bounce back strong the next game each time.

"That's a real sign of being a professional. Good for him and good for us,'' Babcock said. "He can really pass the puck. He seems to be going in the right direction. We've asked him to be firmer without the puck. He's taken a real step in that direction and in his own zone. As long as he continues to grow in that direction he'll be a good NHL player.''

Kindl, the club's top pick in the 2005 NHL entry draft (19th overall), has good size (6-foot-3, 199) and always has had good offensive skills.

His main weakness during three seasons with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins was his defensive play. He made bad decisions, committed turnovers and lacked consistency.

Playing every game since the season opener has helped his confidence. He has been paired mostly with veteran Ruslan Salei.

"I'm much better defensively, I think, head on a swivel,'' Kindl said. "My gap (between his opponent) has been better. I think I got better skating, more confidence.''

As the club's seventh defenseman, Kindl was slated to be a healthy scratch most games, before Jonathan Ericsson injured his back in the season opener and Brian Rafalski hurt his knee before the third game.

Ericsson returned in Wednesday's game. Rafalski might be back Monday at home against Phoenix, no later than Thursday vs. Edmonton at Joe Louis Arena. That will make Kindl a healthy scratch again -- until somebody gets injured, slumps or needs a day off.

"I wish I could play a little more, but that's the way it is,'' Kindl said. "I got to accept this role. I'm the youngest guy. I'm just happy to be in the lineup and do whatever it takes to help the team win.''

Babcock: Bertuzzi playing well

Todd Bertuzzi was off to a good start offensively with two goals and seven assists in his first seven games. Then he was held scoreless in the next three.

But Babcock has been impressed by the 6-foot-3, 225-pound right wing's defensive play. He is back-checking hard.

"Bert's better without the puck than he was 5-6 years ago. He's a better two-way player than he's ever been,'' Babcock said. "He's in shape, he likes hockey, he's feeling good about himself, he's playing well for us. We really like him. He's a big part of our team.''