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Ducks will ‘get to the bottom’ of what’s ailing Despres

Simon Despres

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2015, file photo, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Simon Despres skates before an NHL preseason hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. Despres has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Ducks on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, solidifying his role in Anaheim after joining the club in a trade last season. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

AP

The Anaheim Ducks will not have Simon Despres in their lineup Saturday when they play the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 25-year-old defenseman suited up in Anaheim’s season opener against Dallas on Thursday, but didn’t play the third period, according to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. He was then listed as out day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

But there appears to be more to this situation than just the typical injury designation.

Despres has dealt with concussions in the past, missing 42 games at one point last season, and he was to see a specialist on Friday.

“He was not feeling good last night,” Ducks GM Bob Murray told the Orange County Register. “We’re trying to figure out what’s going on with him. ... Something’s wrong here and we’re going to get to bottom of it here.”

With Despres out of the lineup, Korbinian Holzer will take his place on the blue line versus the Penguins.