Red Wings' coach has 'doubt' that Zetterberg can play this season

One month out from the start of training camp, the Detroit Red Wings still remain uncertain as to whether or not Henrik Zetterberg will be healthy enough to suit up this season.

The 37-year-old has been dealing with back issues and in turn has been unable to do any training this offseason, leaving the 2018-19 campaign up in the air.

"He's had a hard summer and I don't think his back is reacting great," head coach Jeff Blashill said Wednesday, according to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. "Certainly we'll know more in a month (at training camp), but as of today, there's a lot of doubt as to whether his back will be healthy enough to play."

Zetterberg did manage to get into the lineup for all 82 games last season, but as Blashill explained, it wasn't easy for the veteran center.

"As you know, Hank wasn't able to practice for half the year," Blashill said. "He was able to gut it out through those last two months where he wasn't able to practice. There were nights I didn't think he'd able to play and he did play."

Zetterberg hasn't missed a game since the 2014-15 campaign. He still has two more years remaining after this season on his current 12-year, $73-million contract, which holds an annual average value of just under $6.1 million.

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