Red Wings Offseason Injuries Adding Up

Just hours after it was announced that Red Wings’ defenseman Niklas Kronwall would miss the World Cup of Hockey with an injury, another Red Wing and a Detroit prospect were revealed to have had surgery and could miss the start of their seasons.

Forward Tomas Jurco injured his back while training and prospect defenseman Vili Saarijarvi of the Mississauga Steelheads had wrist surgery.

Per Ken Holland, Red Wings F Tomas Jurco has had minor back surgery (hurt self working out), 4-6 weeks of doing nothing, then month rehab.

— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) August 24, 2016

Per Ken Holland, Red Wings prospect D Vili Saarijärvi has had wrist surgery, out about two months.

— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) August 24, 2016

By losing the start of his season, Saarijarvi will miss his return to Flint on October 14, as well as his only games in Saginaw, Sarnia, and Windsor.

Jurco’s injury – combined with that of Teemu Pulkkinen – could temporarily help clear up Detroit’s logjam at forward.