Wings activate Jimmy Howard, whose equipment is in Iowa

Columbus, Ohio  — The Red Wings activated goalie Jimmy Howard on Friday, though Howard isn’t likely to play until next week. He also will not skate this weekend, as his equipment is with the Grand Rapids Griffins, who are in Iowa.

The move was a corresponding transaction to Jonathan Ericsson being lost for the season with a fractured wrist.

Howard (sprained knee) returned from a two-game conditioning stint in Grand Rapids, where he aggravated the injury.

“It was a tweak, the same knee,” said Howard, who felt significantly better Friday walking around the Red Wings’ dressing room. “I’m just doing some rehab and strengthening it back up again, so hopefully I can go out and play next week.”

After a difficult start in his first conditioning game, Howard felt better all the way around Wednesday in his second start.

“A lot better,” Howard said. “I felt a lot more calmness. The first night, my head was spinning out there. It was the first time with 10 guys on the ice and tracking the puck. It was difficult.”

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

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