Wings' DeKeyser heads off after hard hit

Published Nov. 19, 2013 7:24 p.m. ET

foxsports

DETROIT -- The hits just keep on coming for the Red Wings.

Already missing Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss because of groin injuries, they lost another player early in the first period against the Nashville Predators Tuesday night.

Defenseman Danny DeKeyser was hit hard by Nashville forward Patric Hornqvist along the boards behind the Wings' net.

DeKeyser was shown grimacing in pain on the bench before he left to go to the dressing room.

The Wings announced that DeKeyser has a separated left shoulder.

"Obviously as you know he's a real good player for us, he gets the puck going, he's a good transitional (defenseman)," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "If you watched (Seth) Jones for them (Tuesday night), you see what a transitional D can do to get the puck going fast. He's out for a bit. I don't know the total details. I don't know if anybody has come out and decided anything or if they're going to wait 'til (Wednesday) to tell you exactly how long it'll be. But he's definitely not playing this week."

Wings general manager Ken Holland said DeKeyser will undergo more tests Wednesday.

"Dr. Plagens looked at it and said he needs further assessment," Holland said. "He’s out at least 1-2 weeks, depending on what they see (Wednesday). It’s some type of separation but we don’t know the severity."

Brendan Smith just returned to the lineup after missing six games with a shoulder injury and was dressed as the seventh defenseman as the Wings were low on forwards.

"He means a lot to this team," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "He’s been one of our better players all season long. We’ll see how he is and hopefully he’ll be back soon."