Report: Datsyuk surgery puts start of season in jeopardy
The Red Wings might have to change some of their offseason plans. A recent report from the Detroit Free Press claims Pavel Datsyuk might miss the start of the season due to a longer recovery from ankle surgery than originally expected.
According to the Detroit Free Press, Datsyuk had surgery Friday to repair ruptured ankle tendons, and although Datsyuk's agent originally claimed the star would be ready to play by October, the newspaper said Datsyuk needs to be evaluated by his surgeon at three months post-op before resuming hockey activity. That timeline would put the check-up in late September, and the Red Wings' season starts on Oct. 9.
The Detroit Free Press said Datsyuk's status likely means the Red Wings will not buy out center Stephen Weiss's contract this offseason since the team might need him as a depth player in Datsyuk's absence.
Weiss is two years into a five-year, $24.5-million deal and has never performed up to those standards with the Red Wings. He played in 78 regular season games with the Red Wings over those two years and posted 29 points. If the Wings still want to buy out Weiss's contract, they must do so before July 1.
(h/t Detroit Free Press)
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