Red Wings D Stuart out with broken finger

Mar 20, 2008 - 11:52 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings may be without a defenseman for the start of the postseason.

According to a report by the Detroit Free Press on Thursday, Brad Stuart will miss the remainder of the regular season and possibly the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a broken finger.

The 28-year-old Stuart suffered the non-displaced fracture while blocking a shot during the third period of Wednesday's 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Detroit general manager Ken Holland revealed the news but did not announce which finger the blue-liner injured or on what hand it was sustained.

The third overall pick of San Jose in the 1998 draft, Stuart was acquired by Detroit at the trade deadline on February 26 from Los Angeles. He has recorded one goal and one assist in nine games with the Red Wings after notching five tallies and 21 points in 63 contests with the Kings.

In 579 career games with the Sharks, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Kings and Red Wings, Stuart has collected 59 goals, 170 assists and 372 penalty minutes.