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Red Wings to put Helm on LTIR

Dany Heatley, Darren Helm

Detroit Red Wings center Darren Helm controls the puck in front of Minnesota Wild right wing Dany Heatley (15) of Germany during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Jan. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

AP

Red Wings forward Darren Helm’s struggles with injury will continue into this season.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports the speedy center will begin the season on long-term injured reserve thanks to separate groin and back issues. Being on LTIR means being out of action for 24 days or 10 games and GM Ken Holland isn’t sure how soon he’ll be available.

“We believe Helm will be back in three weeks,” he says. Given how slow his progress has been since getting hurt last year, there’s all the reason in the world to be skeptical.

There is a blessing in disguise of sorts for Detroit, however, as they’ve got a glut of forwards and need to get below the salary cap. Helm going on LTIR will eventually help both parts of that equation although he can’t go on LTIR until the season starts.

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