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Red Wings’ Helm (shoulder) may not be ready for Winter Classic

Detroit Red Wings v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 1: Darren Helm #43 of the Detroit Red Wings skates during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 1, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Darren Helm

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo

Red Wings forward Darren Helm really wants to take part in the Winter Classic, he’s just not sure he’ll be able to.

The speedy forward has been dealing with a shoulder injury and, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, it’s not improving very quickly.

“It’s not where I want it to be at this stage,” Helm said Saturday. “I thought I was going to be questionable for the last game before the break, and I thought for sure I’d be ready for tonight, but that’s not the case.”

The Red Wings face the Florida Panthers tonight in Sunrise and the Nashville Predators on Monday in Tennessee before heading to Ann Arbor for the Winter Classic.

Helm has already missed time this season with a back injury, but when he’s played he’s been effective scoring seven goals and 10 points in 15 games.

If he misses this year’s Winter Classic, it’ll make the second one he’s missed as he was in the AHL for the 2009 Winter Classic in Chicago. He did play in 16 games that season for the Wings.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT