Pavel Datsyuk returned to action on Friday October 7.

Pavel Datsyuk (back) took part in Tuesday's practice. Datsyuk was held out of Detroit's final three preseason games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday due to the ailment. However, he should be considered very probable for the Red Wings' season opener on Friday.

Pavel Datsyuk (back) will be held out the remaining preseason games. This is just a precaution as the injury is not considered too serious. For now you should not hesitate to take Datsyuk in any fantasy pools, he has value across the board.

Pavel Datsyuk will not play Friday due to a sore back. Datsyuk missed practice on Thursday and while coach Mike Babcock expects to see Datsyuk in the lineup on Saturday in the back end of two games against Toronto, you never know with a wonky back. He hurt it when lifting weights on Wednesday. Datsyuk had an injury filled season in 2010-11 with 59 points in only 56 games. Look for an 85-90 point season if he can play the full season. Draft him in the second-fourth round in most drafts.

Pavel Datsyuk didn't participate in Thursday's practice because of a stiff back. He suffered the ailment while lifting weights Wednesday, but coach Mike Babcock expects him to be fine to play in Saturday's exhibition contest in Toronto.

Pavel Datsyuk has decided to honor the memory of Ruslan Salei, by wearing Salei's number. "It's a great gesture from Pav," Nicklas Lidstrom said. "I know they were very good friends, close friends. It's a great thing to do." Salei played with the Detroit Red Wings last season and signed with the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl over the summer. A plane carrying Lokomotiv to their season opener crashed, killing Salei and the team.

Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will line up on separate lines for at least the first few days of training camp. Coach Mike Babcock will be looking to see who continues to click with his two stars but expect to see the duo together on many, if not most occasions, during the regular season. Both players should go in most pools in the second or third round so grab either one if they slip down.

Pavel Datsyuk will spend some time relaxing with his family before he begins his preparations for the upcoming season. "I want to turn off from everything," he said. "I feel very, very tired from everything right now. I had my hockey school in Ekaterinburg, I had this trip to Moscow, a few other things. I want to spend the next two weeks only with my daughter. I miss her a lot during the long hockey season." The Detroit star skated in 56 games last campaign, but he still managed to record 59 points. Perhaps some down time will do him some good, as he is one of the top-level talents in the league when he's healthy.