Report: Red Wings' Datsyuk, Lidstrom to be suspended

Jan 24, 2009 - 12:08 AM BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell has reportedly whistled a pair of Detroit Red Wings All-Stars for an infraction in Montreal.

According to a published report on ESPN.com Friday, Campbell said center Pavel Datsyuk and veteran defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom each missed the All-Star Weekend festivities and will be suspended for Tuesday's regular-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman imposed the policy last year, which was established at the general managers meetings, to legitimize injury claims and improve attendance at the midseason gala.

The policy states All-Stars who are injured must have missed at least the last game before the break in order to be excused. Otherwise, they must sit out the first regular-season game after the break.

Datsyuk, who left Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes with a hip injury, was selected to his third All-Star Game.

The 30-year-old Datsyk has recorded 19 goals and 37 assists in 46 games this season. A native of Sverdolvsk, Russia, Datsyuk has collected 158 goals and 481 points in 491 contests over his seven-year career with the Red Wings.

The 38-year-old Lidstrom, who is nursing a lingering elbow ailment, has notched seven tallies and 25 assists in 44 games this season. The 10-time All-Star has amassed 219 goals and 751 assists in 1,296 contests over his 17-year career with Detroit.

The NHL's 57th All-Star Game will be played Sunday at the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens.