Hatcher out 4-6 months

Greenblood94 · October 17, 2003

I hate to see this happen to Derian, because he's a great guy, but I'm glad that it happened to the Red Wings and not us...

Associated Press

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Derian Hatcher will miss four to six months after tearing a ligament in his right knee during a game.

He was hurt when he got tangled up with Vancouver's Markus Naslund and Bryan Allen during the first period of Detroit's 3-2 victory Thursday. He left the game after playing 1 minute and 45 seconds, and did not return.

Hatcher, 31, was the runnerup in voting last season for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top defenseman.

He signed a five-year, $30 million contract with his hometown team in July after playing the first 12 seasons of his NHL career in the Stars' organization.

Hatcher, 6-5 and 235 pounds, was being counted on to bring a physical presence on defense that the Red Wings have lacked since Vladimir Konstantinov was injured in a limousine accident in 1997, less than a week after the team won the Stanley Cup.

Detroit has opened this season with three straight victories.

jgb0607 · October 17, 2003

Yeah I fell a little for Hatcher, but hey he got that big contract, so he'll be just fine.

But for the Wings to lose their best D-man..... LOL!!!!!!!!!!! Great stuff!

BudWiserMan · October 20, 2003

At least that didnt happen while he was w/ the Stars or they might have been screwed! So let it screw the Red Wings over!!!! He is an awesome player though!!!

And he has a really hott wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just thought I would throw that one in!!!!!!