For a team with a patchwork of a defense corps, the news is a significant blow.
The Detroit Red Wings expect Danny DeKeyser to miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery on Tuesday. As recently as last week, there had been hope he would soon reappear in the lineup after getting hurt Oct. 22 in a game against Vancouver.
Instead, coach Jeff Blashill tried to put in perspective what DeKeyser’s continued absence means to the team.