Detroit – The Red Wings aren’t likely to have forward Teemu Pulkkinen to start the regular season.
Pulkkinen had shoulder surgery after the world championships in June, with recovery time expected to be four to six months, which would put his return to the Red Wings from mid-October to December.
General manager Ken Holland said Pulkkinen first hurt the shoulder four to five years ago, before Pulkkinen turned pro, and the pain began to increase after this spring’s recent world championships.
Pulkkinen, 24, separated his shoulder in December after getting hit by Phoenix forward Martin Hanzal, missing 18 games.