COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Detroit Red Wings' young defensemen will take on a larger role and gain some valuable experience with Jonathan Ericsson out for the remainder of the regular season.
Ericsson fractured his wrist Thursday in Washington and will undergo surgery next week, meaning youngsters Nick Jensen, Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul will be counted on more during the final 28 games of the regular season.
"It's unfortunate with what happened because you never want to lose a solid defenseman like Ericsson," Jensen said Friday. "He plays a big role on our team. All us young guys are going to have to pick up the slack.