Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg: Signs say he won't play again

Helene St. James | Detroit Free Press

The news on Henrik Zetterberg is discouraging for the Detroit Red Wings.

While there has been uncertainty about Zetterberg’s status since spring, his summer seems to indicate he will not play again.

“I have talked to his agent a number of times over the course of the summer, and I know he’s had a tough summer,” general manager Ken Holland said Friday. “He hasn’t been able to train anywhere near close to where he’s been able to train past summers due to his back. So there is a real unknown right now with Henrik Zetterberg.”

Zetterberg, who turns 38 on Oct. 9, underwent back surgery in spring of 2014. He has played three straight 82-game seasons, but last year was a struggle, especially as the season wore on.

“He didn’t practice the last two, two-and-a-half months of the season, he just played games,” Holland said.

Zetterberg could not immediately be reached for comment. In June, he told the Free Press that he was “in training and looking forward to a better season.” In July, he took a golfing trip to Scotland with fellow NHLers including Erik Karlsson and Valtteri Filppula.

That same month, Wings head coach Jeff Blashill shared his concerns about Zetterberg in an interview with the Free Press.

“At this point, I haven’t heard anything from Henrik to say that he is or is not playing,” Blashill said. “I know he spent the whole second half of last season not practicing because of his back. He ground it out because he is the ultimate warrior, one of the best I have ever been around, and was able to still be a real good player. But that continues to take a wear and tear on your body.”

Zetterberg has played 1,082 games in the NHL, all with the Red Wings. He is 40 points shy of hitting 1,000 for his career.

Zetterberg has three years left on his contract, which carries a $6.083 million annual cap hit. If he is unable to play, the Wings can gain salary cap relief by placing him on long-term injured reserve.

Dylan Larkin, who signed a five-year deal Friday, has been vocal about the impact Zetterberg has had on his career.

“He has to look after his health and his future,” Larkin said. “I know he has played through a lot of pain in his career. He has done so much for our team and the city. He is going to help our team no matter what, if he’s playing with one leg.

“He’s one of the most skilled players I’ve played with and a great leader. He’s our best player on the team. It would definitely hurt losing him, but he does have to look after his future.”

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.