WINDSOR, Ont. — Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland won't ask injured stars Nick Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk to put in appearances at the NHL's All-Star Weekend in Montreal, even though the league announced Friday they'll be suspended for one game if they don't show up to support the festivities.
While the NHL doesn't expect them to play, they want all players named to the all-star game to attend nonetheless, so they can work the buffet circuit with advertisers and the media.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will invoke a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that states unless a player misses the game before the all-star break or the game after, he will be suspended for a game for not showing up, even if he doesn't play.
"I'm not going to call Nick and tell him he's got to go to Montreal to sit and talk with the media for a day," said a fiery Holland, who is upset with the NHL's treatment of Lidstrom on this issue.
"Imagine me calling Nick, a six-time Norris Trophy winner, four-time Stanley Cup winner and someone who has gone to the last 10 all-star games and telling him he can't spend the time with his four boys and wife.
"I have too much respect for Nick because I know he's playing in pain. He's shown up at every NHL awards show he's been nominated for. He's done everything the league has asked him to do.
"He's put in his time and he's paid his dues. I'm backing my player because I know he's hurt."
Holland said Lidstrom came to him Monday to tell him the tendinitis in his right elbow was flaring up. The Wings' captain had a MRI done Wednesday and Holland said they found a small tear.
