Henrik Zetterberg Out of All-Star Game?

Update (6:25 PM)—Helene St. James supplies a revealing quote from Henrik Zetterberg:

"

“I think you don’t want to miss 19 games,” he said, meaning better to miss an All-Star Game than risk aggravating anything.

“That’s my main concern. I don’t want to let it go that far. I just have to do the things we do to not make that happen. I don’t right know what that is, but we just have to stay on top of it.”

"

As I've said before, it would probably be better for the Detroit Red Wings if Zetterberg sat out once more.  Maybe the league can fit Tomas Holmstrom into the lineup as his replacement!

According to Ansar Khan, Zetterberg missed practice today due to back trouble. Apparently, the problem began after Hank took a hit from an unspecified Shark late in the game Saturday night.

Although the issue is not as serious as what kept him out of five games in December, Zetterberg is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game in LA and might not go to the All-Star Game after all.

Named to the Game last year, he chose to opt out due to tendinitis in his wrist. In light of the current flare up in his back it would probably be better for the team in the long run if he chose again to opt out.

The fact that this was brought on by a hit further strengthens the argument for keeping Aaron Downey in the lineup. Hank will always have to deal with physical defensemen, but having a guy like Downey on the bench may serve as a deterrent to particularly harsh treatment.