It appears that Red Wings' defenceman Chris Chelios injury is worse than originally anticipated as the three-time Norris trophy winner will miss at least the next six weeks with a fractured bone in his leg.
The 46-year old Chelios sustained the injury while blocking a shot during Tuesday's game against the Canadiens.
The Chicago native signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champions prior to the season. He had three goals and nine assists in 69 games with the Red Wings last season.
Chelios, who was on crutches at Wings practice on Wednesday did not believe that the injury was serious stating that he believed that the injury was a deep bruise.
"(It was) right through the pad," Chelios told the Detroit News on Wednesday. "It's not so much where I got hit where it's sore, (but) the muscle where the fluid is draining to.
"I didn't feel anything right away when it happened. I just knew it didn't come around sitting on the bench. It was just one of those ones where you know it's not going to let up."
It is likely that either Kyle Quincey ore Derek Meech will start the season with the Wings to fill the hole created by Chelios injury.