FISCHER SITS:

December 28, 1999

With numerous Wings starting to return from injuries, the dressing room is becoming cramped. There aren't enough stalls for everyone, so 19-year-old rookie defenseman Jiri Fischer has been bumped from a stall near the back of the room to a folding chair near the refreshment table.

"Youngest player on the team," Fischer said with a humble smile. "That's the way it goes, I guess."

Fischer has played in 19 games. But he has been a healthy scratch for the Wings' past eight games.

"It's not a big deal," Fischer said. "Off the ice, I try not to think about it. I probably would be worried if I did, thinking, 'What's going on? I haven't played in a long time.' I would start doubting every little thing.

"But I stay positive. Even with the games I didn't play, I've played more than I thought I would. I didn't expect to play 19 games before Christmas. There will be more opportunities, so I have to work hard and be ready."