Pavel-Datsyuk-4-26-14

The Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk managed to score three goals in five games on a bad knee against the Bruins and Patrice Bergeron.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings are in the process of determining whether Pavel Datsyuk needs surgery to remove possible dead tissue in his left knee, or whether a summer of rehabilitation will suffice.

Datsyuk dealt with the knee issue the second half of the season, missing 30-of-34 games following the Jan. 1 Winter Classic. Despite playing at less than 100 percent in the playoffs against Boston, Datsyuk was Detroit’s best player, scoring three of his team’s six goals in the five-game series.

“It has to be determined whether four months off and a commitment to the gym will give him the power and the quickness we’re used to,” general manager Ken Holland said. “It’s between the doctor and Pav. A lot depends on what Pav wants to do. He doesn’t seem to feel he has the power.”

Holland called it minor surgery, but said it takes three months to heal. So a decision likely needs to be made within a month.

“There’s a question if there’s dead tissue in there,” Holland said. “They take the dead tissue out and get the blood flowing in the ligament.”

Despite playing on one good knee, Datsyuk got better with each game at the end of the season and against the Bruins.

“He tried to do it personally (but) Pav missed a lot of hockey this year,” coach Mike Babcock said. “When you’re playing against real good players in (Patrice) Bergeron and (David) Krejci … you need to be at the top of your game.

“As good as Pavel was in this series Pavel is a whole other level than that. Ideally after a good summer and (possibly) surgery we’ll get him back the way he’s capable of playing.”

Weiss has surgery again; Zetterberg felt great

Center Stephen Weiss last week had what Holland called minor surgery to release scar tissue. It was performed in Philadelphia by the same doctor (William Meyers) who performed sports hernia surgery on Weiss on Dec. 23.

“He needs a big summer,” Holland said.

Holland said Henrik Zetterberg felt great in the two games he played since returning from back surgery on Feb. 21.

“We expect to see him in September healthy,” Holland said.