Pavel Datsyuk underwent surgery for ruptured ankle tendons and the Red Wings are planning on the veteran forward missing the beginning of the 2015-16 season. This report comes from the Detroit Free Press and indicates that the Red Wings are planning on having a healthy Datsyuk at some point in November.
Datsyuk’s agent believes he’ll be ready in time for October (the Red Wings start their season on October 9th), but the Red Wings appear to be using a more cautious forecast.
If Datsyuk is forced to miss some time, the Red Wings will need to call on some depth down the middle of the ice. That likely means that Stephen Weiss will remain with the team and that the buyout rumors may not come to fruition. The club has until July 1st to decide what to do with Weiss, but the need for depth should Datsyuk miss time may stave off his removal from the roster. Weiss may not be the best option (he’s been an extremely disappointing one since his arrival), but he can be serviceable on a lower line should the Red Wings have a hole to fill.
