Darren Helm is a bit baffled by the latest ailment that has put the Detroit Red Wings forward on the sideline yet again.
The oft-injured Helm suffered a Grade 1 shoulder separation and a concussion in a collision with rookie forward Jerome Verrier during a drill on the first day of training camp in Traverse City, Mich. Verrier suffered a broken leg in the same incident. Helm is estimated to be out for 2-4 weeks.
"I haven't seen the video, but I remember everything that happened," Helm said. "I didn't quite see him in time. I didn't even get my head up quick enough to see him.
"I was kind of looking back for a pass. I was expecting him to be going up the other side. Somewhere between there, the drill got kind of messed up and both of us were going down the same lane.
"I remember everything. I remember Blash (coach Jeff Blashill) explained the drill, I remember going down, getting on the wall, coming up with Glennie (Luke Glendening), him passing it to me and just running into a wall and kind of just laying there for a little bit.
"I wasn't knocked out so I'm happy about that."
It's the latest setback for Helm, who has suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee, a fractured cheekbone, lacerated tendons in his right forearm, a previous concussion and a sprained shoulder over the past four seasons.
"I was thinking about my injuries lately," Helm admitted. "I feel like this isn't really a hockey injury, just an unlucky situation that I was in. Bad luck. I'm going to chalk this one up to bad luck.
"I haven't seen this happen ever, as long as I've been playing. Unfortunate. Bad luck. Move on."
Helm remembers the pain he was in as well.
"It was a big hit," Helm said. "It hurt. Not necessarily my head or my shoulder. I didn't even know my shoulder was separated until I got to the hospital.
"I was just all over achy. I just wanted to lay there a little bit and kind of rest."
Having suffered the previous concussion, Helm is familiar with both the sensation and the protocol he must follow in order to get back into action.
"I've had one, one diagnosed one, so I'm not completely in the dark when it comes to concussions," Helm said. "But every one can be different and every one can have their own kind of timetable, sidelines and setbacks.
"I think from what I know, concussions are all different and there's no set timeline in returning and I just hope that I can progress quickly and I can get back and play and that there's no long-term issues.
"I've been feeling a little off, a little bit of a headache. I think we're going to jump on the bike tomorrow and see how that feels, get the heart rate going, take it from there."
Helm planned to visit with Verrier to see how he was doing post impact.
"I was going to talk to him today a little bit and see what his perspective was," Helm said. "Just see how he's doing.
"I know he had surgery and hope he's doing well."
Helm won't put a timetable on his return, but isn't ready to give up hope that he'll be ready for the Oct. 9 regular-season opener at Joe Louis Arena against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"It wasn't my ideal start for the season," Helm said. "But I'll move forward. I've got some time. Better now, I guess, than playoffs down the road or down the stretch that I need to be playing.
"Hopefully I can get back for home opener. If not, then right after that. Just move forward."
Roster Moves The Wings made their first cuts as training camp broke, shipping 15 players back to their junior clubs.
Let go were goaltenders Connor Ingram and Matt Mancina, defensemen Jalen Chatfield, Vili Saarijarvi, Joe Hicketts, Jarett Meyer, Ty Stanton, and Justin Lemcke, and forwards Verrier, Adam Marsh, Nick Betz, Dominic Turgeon, Conor McGlynn, Evan Polei and Triston Grant.
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