Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman Jonathan Ericsson out for 4-6 weeks due to wrist injury-NHL News
The Detroit Red Wings confirmed on Saturday, February 25, 2012, to have lost the star defenseman, Jonathan Ericsson, to a wrist injury for a month at least, but are less likely to be affected, thanks to the timely replacement they had brought in a week earlier.
Ericsson fractured his wrist during the game against the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday, and was immediately replaced by the new signee, Kyle Quincey, who completed the rest of the game.
A few days back, Wings’ general manager, Ken Holland, traded for Quincey to create depth into the squad at the defensive position and the sudden injury of their main defenseman proved how timely the trade was made.
Quincey had arrived at the team’s headquarters on Thursday, February 23, 2012, and was playing the first game as a pair with Jonathan Ericsson.
Jonathan was benched due to the injury and the new signee was handed over the responsibility for rest of the game, which had progressed through to the second half then. Unfortunate for the team, they lost the game 3-4.
Later, the team’s coach, Mike Babcock, confirmed that the recovery process will force Ericsson out for four to six weeks.
Babcock said:
"He's going to be out a month. Bit of a chipped fracture in his wrist, so he'll be about a month."
Ericsson got himself injured during the last few seconds of the Avalanche’s power play in the second period. He left the ice and was unable to return for the rest of the game.
In the absence of the defenseman, Wings are reported to have been pondering over bringing a couple of more options for the defensive position, in addition to giving a role to the new signee.
Quincey is mostly likely to be partnered with rookie, Jakub Kindl, who remains a choice for the team.
Further, veteran, Mike Commodore, also stands chance to be called in.
In any case, either of the arrangements will most probably be on the game-to-game basis until Ericsson recovers and returns from the injury.
Quincey, who most of the time during his career has been partnered with different players, said of the development:
"It gave me a chance to play with everybody, that’s for sure. Big E is a big loss for us. Hopefully it’s not too serious and we can get him back soon."
Ericsson is plus-18 in the NHL ranking and due to his imposing physical stature of 6-foot-4, 221-pound frame, serves the team well in front of the net.
This is something, Quincey pointed out, which will hurt the team badly as long as Ericsson stays out of the line-up.
Unlucky for Wings, they have been through the injury problems for most of the time this season.
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