Just minutes ago, we wrote about Detroit’s health issues heading into the regular season.
Well, those issues just got worse.
Defenseman Danny DeKeyser will miss the next 3-4 weeks with a sprained ligament in his foot, per the Detroit News. Confirmation of the injury comes just a few days after DeKeyser was hurt in an exhibition win over Pittsburgh, after which he was seen in a walking boot and on crutches.
Losing DeKeyser will hurt. The Red Wings’ second-leading d-man scorer last year, he averaged just under 21 minutes per night and was penciled in to play on a pairing with big free agent acquisition Mike Green.
With “DDK” out, Xavier Ouellet will temporarily fill the empty spot next to Green. It’s also possible GM Ken Holland will make a subsequent roster move, perhaps via call-up from AHL Grand Rapids.