Nick Leddy won’t play vs. Los Angeles Kings Wednesday

The Detroit Red Wings won’t have defenseman Nick Leddy in the lineup Wednesday when they play a home game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Danny Dekeyser, recently out of the lineup because his wife had a baby, will replace Leddy.

Coach Jeff Blashill said Leddy wouldn’t be available for the next game. But he didn’t provide  specifics about his injury or a timeline for his return to action. Nick Leddy didn’t play in the third period of Monday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks after suffering an undisclosed injury.

The Red Wings liked their depth on defense at the start of the season because they had eight defenemen they trusted. But Troy Stecher hasn’t played a game since Nov. 4 because of wrist surgery and every defenseman except rookie Moritz Seider has missed a game, or games, because of an injury

Leddy, 30, plays an average of 21:17 per night. If Leddy were out for an extended period, then it would be cause for concern for the Red Wings.  If the Red Wings fall farther out of the playoff hunt, they would likely look to trade him to a contender. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Quality opponents

The game against the Kings will mark the fourth consecutive game against a team currently in a playoff spot. The Red Wings are 2-1 in the first three games.

After Wednesday’s game, the Red Wings don’t play for a week because of the All-Star break. Their next game will be Feb. 9 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

At some point over the next few weeks, the Detroit Red Wings hope to get Stecher and Jakub Vrana back in the lineup. Vrana hasn’t played this season because of shoulder injury. He reaggravated an existing injury in his first shift in training camp. Stecher has played six games this season.