Pavel Datsyuk (knee) is tentatively targeting Saturday for his return. Datsyuk reported that he skated for about "27 minutes, 37 seconds" on Wednesday. He hasn't played in nearly a month.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) might be available before the end of the Red Wings' current road trip. Detroit will play in Anaheim on Wednesday and San Jose on Saturday. "I need more balance, and stop-and-go, and a quick turn," Datsyuk said. "I'm still kind of careful with this one. As it's just a few days now (back on the ice), I don't want to force it, too fast. But, it's every day better movement, more confidence. It feels good for me."

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) joined his teammates on the ice for practice on Thursday. However, he still isn't expected to play Friday against Los Angeles and Saturday in Nashville. "It feels good, nice to come back skating with teammates," Datsyuk said. "Every day I'm closer but I don't know for sure (when he's returning). I'll go with them on the West Coast and we'll see." Datsyuk has missed the Red Wings' past seven games after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Feb. 21.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee surgery) has started to skate. Datsyuk is hoping to return at some point during the Detroit Red Wings' road trip to California. Detroit is scheduled to play in Los Angeles on March 13, Anaheim on March 14, and San Jose on March 17.

Pavel Datsyuk is targeting the Red Wings' western road trip starting March 13th for his return to action. Datsyuk is on schedule in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery. He hopes to begin skating Sunday and join his teammates in practice later in the week.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) didn't take part in Saturday's morning practice. Datsyuk was initially projected to miss two-to-three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on Feb. 21. Based on that timetable, Datsyuk shouldn't be expected to return until next week at the earliest.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) had an off-ice workout on Thursday. Datsyuk underwent arthroscopic surgery on Feb. 21 and the prognosis at that time was two-three weeks on the shelf so he is under two weeks away from returning at most, of course assuming he has no setbacks. The Red Wings have really missed his presence in the lineup. He has 59 points this season.

If you need any evidence how important Pavel Datsyuk is to the Red Wings, look no further than the team's record over the last three games. Datsyuk had surgery on his knee and has missed the Wings' last three contests, all losses. He is without question the best two-way forward in the game and his absence has keenly been felt by the Detroit team. Hopefully the squad can regroup as Datsyuk is likely to miss another two weeks before returning to action.

Pavel Datsyuk has started to rehab his knee after undergoing surgery Tuesday. Datsyuk felt fine before Sunday's game but did not feel so good afterwards. "I felt something and I couldn't move my leg," said Datsyuk. "I needed surgery. Maybe it (the pain) was bothering me a little bit but not like it was in the San Jose game. I felt it after the game and I checked and it was better to do it now," while there's plenty of time to recover before the start of the playoffs." He should return in two-three weeks.

Knee surgery will sideline Pavel Datysuk for two weeks. In a subsequent St. James tweet, coach Mike Babcock noted the injury was related to an "old" problem that had been nagging the star center. The time is now to address as opposed to letting it linger what with the postseason nearing. Datsyuk lead the Red Wings with 59 points: 16-43.