Sweden's Zetterberg out of Olympics due to herniated disc
Sweden will have to make do without Henrik Zetterberg for the rest of the Olympics because of a herniated disc in his back. It is apparently so bad, he is unable to fly to Detroit.
Zetterberg can't fly back to Detroit until his back is feeling better. Old herniated disc problem. Has not ruled out surgery. #RedWings
— Andi Petrillo (@andipHNIC) February 14, 2014
"It is so painful for him that he can't be in it anymore," team doctor Bjorn Waldeback said, via CTV. "It is Z who has taken this decision together with me. I think it is the cumulative load. There was no specific thing that happened in the game. The issues came the morning after. These are nerve-related issues and they often come creeping in. It is not one specific injury."
Sweden doctor Bjorn Waldeback says if Henrik Zetterberg's back stays the way it is now he will be out for the rest of the season.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 14, 2014
And according to Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, the team is not sure if Zetterberg will be recovered when the Olympics are over.
"Hasn't seen doctor. Going back to DET in day or two to be evaluated. On medication to get swelling down," he said to Detroit Free Press reporter Helene St. James.
"He won't be ready by the time we come out of Olympics."
Zetterberg scored a goal in the team's 4-2 win over the Czech Republic on Wednesday, but missed practice Thursday to be treated for the back injury.
Expressen is reporting Niklas Kronwall will now take over as captain, with Daniel Alfredsson becoming an assistant.