Darren Helm sprained his right acromioclavicular joint (where collar bone connects to shoulder) during a drill at training camp today. The Red Wing center is out 2-4 weeks. He'll be off the ice the next few days. Helm said that he's hopeful that he'll be on the ice for the start of the regular season.

Helm hurt himself when he went head-first into the boards after getting caught up in defenseman Logan Pyett's stick.

"Especially right now, I'm coming here trying to prove that I belong (with the Red Wings) all year ... It's especially frustrating," said Helm. "Hopefully things heal up as quickly as possible."

"I was definitely looking forward to coming in here, playing well, playing some exhibition games, proving that Detroit and everyone else that I belong here," said Helm. "I'll just do what I can to make sure I'm ready."

Two years ago, Helm strained the joint at the other end of his collar bone, the coracoclavicular.

"Hopefully, this won't take as long as the last time did," said Helm.

“It’s disappointing,” said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. “We’re real fortunate it isn’t worse than it is. More opportunity for someone else in exhibition.”