Tootoo has missed the last six games with a foot injury but has been skating recently and could return on either Thursday or Friday.

Tootoo is expected to miss at least the next two games but could be out longer. Placing him on IR allows the Devils to recall a forward with Martin Havlat our as well.

Tootoo injured his foot when he blocked a Dan Girardi shot on Tuesday. With Tootoo out, Tuomo Ruutu will slide back onto the fourth line after being a healthy scratch in the last game.

On Sunday, Tootoo saw just 7:20 TOI in his first game since December 21. He will return to the AHL with the Red Wings electing to recall Landon Ferraro and moving Brendan Smith from defence to forward.

Tootoo has four goals and 10 assists (14 points) with 74 penalty minutes in 38 games with Grand Rapids this season. He will suit up for his 11th game with the Red Wings on Sunday.

Tootoo dressed in two games during his call-up and recorded one assist on Saturday. He provided some much needed energy for the Red Wings, but with Gustav Nyquist returning to the lineup tonight, Tootoo has bee reassigned.

Tootoo is not expected to have any fantasy relevance.

Tootoo has a minus-4 rating in eight games with the Red Wings this season.

Tootoo will remain in Detroit for now. Until they have to send him to Grand Rapids, when Jonathan Ericsson comes off LTIR next week.

Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said it was a numbers game and that they have too may right wingers. Tootoo is a high energy forward who plays with and edge. He could be claimed by a team looking to add some grit to their lineup.