Detroit Red Wings: Drew Miller out Indefinitely, Todd Bertuzzi Looks to Return

Drew Miller left Saturday's game between the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks in the first period and did not return.  

The news isn't good. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported that Miller will be out indefinitely with a broken hand.  

Miller is just the latest in a long line of injuries Detroit has dealt with this season. The 29-year-old left winger has four goals and four assists in 44 games this year.

Meanwhile, Detroit did come away with a single point on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Vancouver in a shootout. This is after the Red Wings out-shot the Canucks 34-14 in regulation and overtime. 

Detroit remains in ninth place, a point behind the eighth-place Columbus Blue Jackets. 

There is some good news for Red Wings fans, however, as veteran forward Todd Bertuzzi could still return to action before the season ends.

The 38-year-old has been out since February 7 because of a lingering back injury, which has also affected his leg. He's recorded two goals and one assist in seven games this season. 

Bertuzzi is hoping to return Monday against the Phoenix Coyotes or Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Kings, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com: "I’ll go back to Detroit and see the doctor again and then hopefully [return] in the next couple (games). Just got to work hard and cheer the guys on. Pretty confident in the guys. The guys will get the job done."

With Miller joining Mikael Samuelsson (chest) and Darren Helm (back) on the sidelines, perhaps Bertuzzi could give the Red Wings the boost they need in the final games of the season.

At the very least, he would bring a veteran presence and significant playoff experience to a team desperate to extend its streak of 21 consecutive postseason appearances.