The Detroit Red Wings will have to start next season without the "Magic Man."
Forward Pavel Datsyuk spoke to SVT.se's Marie Lehmann on Sunday where he updated the status of his ankle injury.
"They say four to five months," Datsyuk said. "We'll see how this goes. ... I'll be there, but they not start me. I hope I miss (only) a little bit, the beginning of the season."
Datsyuk underwent surgery on his ankle in late June, having played through the injury during the playoffs.
The 37-year-old missed 19 games with the Red Wings during the 2014-15 regular season, but still managed 26 goals and 65 points in 63 games.