Jordin Tootoo's value in the 2013-14 season should increase.

The Red Wings are moving over to the tougher and more physical Eastern Conference for the 2013-14 season and Tootoo's style of play will be a better match for more ice time. Tootoo is going into the second year of a three-year deal that is worth $1.9 million a season. He is worth grabbing late in deep pools that use penalty minutes as a category.

Jordin Tootoo netted the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Los Angeles.

Tootoo has three goals and seven points in 40 games this season. "Any time you can contribute, and as a fourth-line players, it's always exciting," said Tootoo. "You don't get that very often, so you make the best of it." Thanks in part to Tootoo's efforts, the Red Wings have moved up to the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They will try to protect that position on Thursday against Nashville.

Jordin Tootoo was a healthy scratch on Sunday.

The Red Wings recalled Riley Sheahan when they were not sure as to whether or not Henrik Zetterberg would be healthy enough to play. But when Zetterberg's groin was deemed okay to go, coach Mike Babcock put Sheahan in the lineup anyway and sat the truculent Tootoo. Look for Tootoo to return this week.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock likes what Jordin Tootoo brings to the Wings lineup.

He was a healthy scratch on March 13th, but he's played in 29 of the team's 30 games while adding a physical edge to the forecheck. Tootoo has racked up 69 penalty minutes, including seven fighting majors, and 44 hits this campaign. He has also chipped in two goals and three assists. Tootoo has been a solid off-season acquisition for the Red Wings.

After being a healthy scratch Wednesday against the Flames, there is a very good chance that Jordin Tootoo will be back in the Red Wing lineup against the Oliers.

The Wings did not play well against Calgary without Tootoo and he may supply a much-needed spark against Edmonton.

Jordin Tootoo was a healthy scratch on Wednesday.

"We have a lot of guys coming back from injury, and I think when things aren't going the right way, or the way they're supposed to, sometimes change is good," Tootoo said. "I think sometimes change is good to fire a team up." It didn't work on Wednesday, as Detroit suffered a 5-2 loss to Calgary. It wouldn't be surprising if Tootoo was back in the lineup on Friday.

Blue Jackets enforcer Jared Boll had some unkind words to offer about Detroit's Jordin Tootoo after Saturday's 3-0 victory over the Wings.

The two players engaged in verbal sparring throughout the contest, but never dropped the gloves and Boll claims that's because of Tootoo's reluctance to do so. "I don't know when he's going to learn," Boll said. "Hasn't he been called out enough? Guys ask him to fight and instead of standing up and doing it the right way, he just cheap-shots guys. I dropped my gloves at center ice. He kept saying 'yeah, yeah, yeah' and then he skates away and tries to draw a penalty." Clearly there is no love lost between the two combatants so perhaps the two will do the deed during Sunday's rematch.

Now that Jordin Tootoo's first game against Nashville is out of the way, Saturday's rematch should be less eventful.

That's probably doubly true given that his first game against his former squad was in Nashville while Detroit will host this contest. "Obviously there was a lot of hype going into the game in Nashville and obviously the reception I got was pretty amazing," Tootoo said. "I know coming back here is just going to be another game for us. We're division rivals and we have to get back on the winning ways and no better team to do it against." Detroit is looking to end their five-game losing streak.

Jordin Tootoo will return to Nashville for the first time as a visitor.

Tootoo had played his entire career in Nashville before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer and signing on with the Red Wings. The 30-year-old feisty winger found it strange as he was in the visitor's dressing room for the first time on Monday. "Right now, for me, I'm just taking it all in stride," Tootoo said. "I don't know what to expect. I have never been on this side before. It should be an interesting evening. Coming into Nashville and driving on the bus, everything was a first for me." Look for Tootoo to battle someone on Tuesday.

Jordin Tootoo played in his 500th game on Friday.

Tootoo is often overlooked in fantasy leagues. He provides a nice combination of points and PIM, but not enough in either category to get excited over. Still, he's a solid bottom-six forward who figures to be in the league for years to come. He turned 30 on Feb. 2.