Tomas Jurco May Not Be Ready for Season Opener After Surgery

Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Jurco is expected to miss training camp and could even miss the start of the season after undergoing back surgery.

Jurco injured himself training at home in Slovakia and had the procedure last week. He’s expected to miss around four-to-six weeks, according to MLive’s Ansar Khan.

“Not sure he’ll be ready for camp,” said Detroit general manager Ken Holland. “He needs 4-6 weeks of rest, then start slow. Need to see how he feels.”

The 23-year-old Jurco had a promising rookie year, putting up eight goals and 15 points in 36 games during the second half of that season. He’s struggled since then, posting just four goals and six points in 44 games last year. He needed to hit camp and prove himself in a crowded field among team forwards.

He’s yet another injured player for Detroit, a team that has suffered a large number of injuries before camp even gets undre way. Teemu Pulkinnen, another forward on the cusp, is injured and could miss the start of the season. Niklas Kronwall just pulled out of the World Cup due to injury.

Additionally, Vili Saarijarvi’s injured wrist will require surgery and sideline him for around three months. Saarijarvi was injured during National Junior Evaluation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan.