Pavel Datsyuk confirms he won’t play in Red Wings opener

Pavel Datsyuk confirms he won’t play in Detroit Red Wings season opener

Apr 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) skates with the puck in the second period against the Boston Bruins in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk confirms he will not play in the Season Opener.

That sound you hear is not the sound of the oncoming apocalypse. Instead, it is the screams of Detroit Red Wings fans everywhere.

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Hockey may be officially back as of this evening, but unfortunately, there is some less than happy news coming out of Detroit today.

Detroit Red Wings alternate captain Pavel Datsyuk has confirmed that he will not be participating in the team’s season opener tomorrow night against the Boston Bruins at the Joe Louis Arena.

As some of you may know by now, just as the 36 year old Russian center had just finished his recovery from a knee injury when he sustained a second degree shoulder separation at training camp.

This is certainly a blow to the Red Wings offense. Datsyuk has been a member of the Red Wings for twelve seasons now, and has always been a leader on the ice with a solid scoring ability.

Last season, Datsyuk suited up for 45 games with the Wings. In that amount of time, he was able to net 17 goals and 20 assists for a total of 37 points with plus-1 rating.

While NHL.com reports that he has in fact been practicing with the team, there is currently no timetable for his official return.

This is going to be an interesting time for the Red Wings offense. The Red Wings start out the season with a three game homestand which will see them face the Boston Bruins not only on opening night, but just six days later with a game against the Anaheim Ducks in between.

Will the Detroit Red Wings be able to get the season off to a good start with the loss of Pavel Datsyuk before the first puck even drops? When do you think we will see Datsyuk on the ice once again? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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