Todd Bertuzzi (groin/flu) is doubtful for Detroit's opening game. Bertuzzi left Thursday's practice due to what was originally described as a tender groin, according to Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. However, it looks like Bertuzzi has also been battling an illness all week. "He's sick, got the flu," Babcock said. "They're going to give him an IV and he'll join us (in St. Louis) or the next day (in Columbus)."

Todd Bertuzzi didn't participate Detroit's Thursday evening skate due to a groin issue. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock described it as "some tightness." Consider Bertuzzi day-to-day for now.

Todd Bertuzzi believes the Detroit Red Wings will have advantages over their opponents when the new, shortened NHL season begins because several of the team's star players have been playing in Europe. Wings playing in Europe included Pavel Datsyuk, who was up to his usual tricks in Russia's KHL, and Henrik Zetterberg and Damien Brunner, who clicked immediately as teammates in the Swiss National League. "They're obviously gonna have an extra step on everyone else," Bertuzzi said. "I'm pretty thankful that our two superstars were playing and can carry the load until the rest of us catch up." Detroit defenseman Ian White said they'd better not wait too long, though. "Since there's only 48 of 'em, every game's gonna be high stakes," White said.

Todd Bertuzzi doesn't have much hope that the NHLPA and NHL will come to an agreement on a new CBA to save the 2012-13 season. "Not very optimistic," he said. "I see us losing a year." Bertuzzi is having a hard time seeing the owners changing their minds on their ideas and he feels it will hurt the game in the long run. "Unfortunately, it's going to take years to build back the revenue. It's going to take a long time," said Bertuzzi. "These people are (ticked) right now. They're not just -- 'I don't care, I'll come back,' or whatever. Fans are (ticked) now. They're getting to a point where they're not even really paying attention anymore to what's going on. They're sick and tired of hearing the same (stuff) coming out of both sides' mouths, and who can blame them? It's frustrating."

Todd Bertuzzi is expected to play in a charity game set for Windsor on December 8. The game will only be played if the lockout is still on. Others expected to see ice time are: Daniel Cleary, Niklas Kronwall, Justin Abdelkader, Darren Helm, Ian White, Jonathan Ericsson, Cory Emmerton, Jimmy Howard, Jonas Gustavsson, Shawn Horcoff, Steve Ott and James Neal.

Todd Bertuzzi's son, Tag, got a chance to skate with the locked-out players. "It's a blast anytime he can come down and play," Bertuzzi said. "He spends the majority of his time at the Joe (Louis Arena) anyway, he knows the coaching staff and the players. The guys treat him like one of the players, so it's fun when you're a little boy and come down and skate." Bertuzzi is trying to stay sharp for when/if the 2012-13 campaign starts.

Veteran winger Todd Bertuzzi does not believe that a year away from hockey will be to his benefit. "It's not ideal. If I have to miss a year, I hear sometimes it benefits the older players, but I don't think it really does," he said. "I think you have to be consistently playing, being active and all that. You usually train for two, two and-a-half months in the summer and then maintain (heading into training camp). But we're going on three months of training right now and it kind of gets groundhog day-ish." Several players and pundits expect this lockout to drag along, with the possibility of the 2012-13 campaign being wiped out. The 37-year-old forward has two years left on his current contract, so it's understandable that he wants to play while he can.

The civil trial of Todd Bertuzzi and the Canucks for for his attack on Steve Moore more than eight years ago has been postponed until late January. The incident, which occurred March 8, 2004, involved Bertuzzi grabbing the then-Avalanche forward's jersey from behind and sucker-punching him in the back of the head, ultimately ending his career as Moore suffered a concussion and broken vertebra in his neck. Moore, who was 25 at the time, is seeking more than $38 million in damages, which cover the lost income in his hockey career and the income he lost because his injuries won't allow him to have a post-hockey career in the financial industry. The trial was set to begin, but now the jury selection will now begin Jan. 28, 2013 instead

Todd Bertuzzi hasn't recorded a point in four postseason contests. So far Bertuzzi's biggest contribution to their first round series has been his fight with Shea Weber early in Game 2. Bertuzzi has finished each playoff game with a negative rating and while he's not known as one of the team's offensive leaders, they could certainly use more secondary scoring going into Game 5. Detroit is currently one game away from elimination.

Look for Todd Bertuzzi to get a big ovation at the "Joe" Sunday for taking on Shea Weber in Game 2. The 37-year-old veteran took on the much younger Nashville defenseman in a fight Friday as he stood up for teammate Henrik Zetterberg whose head Weber smashed into the glass in Game 1. Detroit fans will appreciate Bertuzzi having Zetterberg's back and should show their appreciation with the standing ovation.