Datsyuk out up to 4 weeks with shoulder injury

Pavel Datsyuk has missed the first five games of the regular season due to a separated shoulder. (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)

The Detroit Red Wings will start the 2014-15 season without their best player.

Pavel Datsyuk is expected to miss approximately four weeks with a second-degree shoulder separation, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told reporters Wednesday.

Watch the Arizona Coyotes take on the Calgary Flames Wednesday night on Sportsnet 360 at 7 p.m. ET

Datsyuk left Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins after taking a hit from Rob Scuderi.

The 36-year-old Russian said after the game he was optimistic the injury would be minor.

Last season, Datsyuk missed 37 games with various injuries.

More NHL on Sportsnet:
Subscribe: Rogers GameCentre Live
 Rogers Hometown Hockey | Broadcast Schedule

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.