Pavel Datsyuk out 4-5 weeks with separated shoulder
Pavel Datsyuk will miss 4-5 weeks after separating his shoulder in a preseason game Monday night.
By
Chris Peters
•
1 min read
The Detroit Red Wings now know how long they’ll be without Pavel Datsyuk, who injured his right shoulder in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night. The veteran center is expected to miss four to five weeks with a second-degree separated shoulder according to the team.
Datsyuk was injured after taking a hard hit into the boards from Pens defenseman Rob Scuderi late in the game.
The healing timeline for a spearated shoulder can be tough to predict. That's the kind of injury that only heals with time and immobilization. It would probably be prudent to err on the side of caution, which it sounds like the team is doing given the four-to-five week timeline.
It seems that the Red Wings can’t catch a break lately when it comes to injuries. They already lost promising youngster Anthony Mantha with a fractured leg and now Datsyuk is on the shelf after missing 37 games last season. The club is also still awaiting word on whether Daniel Alfredsson will be able to return to the NHL next season. He aggravated a back injury during preseason training and has not yet signed a new contract. Additionally, forward Darren Helm suffered a broken nose in the same preseason game Datsyuk was hurt.
The good news is that this happened early in the preseason and Datsyuk has about two full weeks to recover before the games start to count. Still, starting off the season without the 36-year-old puck magician isn’t exactly the best of situations.
Datsyuk had 37 points in 45 games last season. The 37 games he missed last year were the most he’s ever had to sit out in his career.
The Red Wings should be cautious with the veteran and just let this thing fully heal before trying to get him back in the lineup. A little patience could go a long way in getting their top player not just healthy, but at full strength as well.
