Bertuzzi Gone 4-to-6 Weeks With Upper Body Injury; Vrana Out for Personal Reasons

Top line winger Tyler Bertuzzi will be out four to six weeks with what the Detroit Red Wings are calling an upper body injury. He was injured while blocking a shot with his right hand in Saturday’s win at New Jersey.

That time frame means Bertuzzi could miss 20 games or more.

“A tough loss,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “With Fabbri also out, two top-six guys out, arguably two first-liners, but that’s why you have the depth. Steve (Yzerman) had a very good offseason and he wanted to have some depth and I like our lineup tonight, despite who’s out. It’s a credit to some more depth than Detroit has had the luxury of in the past.”

Bertuzzi is a scorer and fuels the Red Wings with his energy.

“He’s a finisher, goals,” Lalonde said. “That line can win the zone battle. We’ve had some good offensive shifts. He’s had really good buy-in, even defensively. The injury came from a committed play where he blocked a shot. But if you look at our lineup tonight, it’s a winnable lineup. Last year they went through two injuries in their top six. I don’t know if their lineup looked as strong as it does tonight. I’m looking forward to the challenge with it.”

Kubalik Slotting In For Bertuzzi, Zadina Returns

Dominik Kubalik will take Bertuzzi’s spot on the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond in tonight’s home game against the Los Angeles Kings (7 p.m., Bally Sports). Jakub Vrana will also miss the game for what Lalonde called “personal reasons” and Filip Zadina will take his spot on the second line with Andrew Copp and David Perron.

“I’ll try to do my best and just play hockey the way I played before during the preseason and during the training camp,” Zadina said. “Glad for the chance and I’ll just go out and prove that I’m a good player.”

Bertuzzi left the game injured after blocking this shot with his hand/arm and will not return. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/DQIhdOVbyf

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) October 16, 2022

New coach Derek Lalonde scratched Zadina in Detroit’s first two games of the season.

“it was tough for a little bit but it’s the process in hockey,” Zadina said. “I’m not the first one that it happened to before. Just worked and trained when I didn’t get a chance. Now I’m getting a chance, so I’m ready and ready to go.”

Bertuzzi, with one assist in the first two games, is no stranger to early-season injuries. In 2020-21, he played only nine games before he was lost for the season by a back injury that required surgery.