from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said Wednesday that Top 6 forward Andrew Copp had offseason abdominal surgery and won’t return to action until the first week of the season.

He adds to a Detroit injury list that already includes defensemen Jake Walman (shoulder surgery) and Mark Pysyk (Achilles surgery), plus right wing Robby Fabbri (knee surgery).

Michigan native Copp signed a five-year contract with the Red Wings with a $5.625 million annual average value. He is projected to be Detroit’s No. 2 center this season and be a regular on the penalty killing unit.

“I don’t anticipate (Copp) participating in the preseason games but I expect him ready to go in roughly a week, if not sooner, into the regular season,” Yzerman said as he met with media to discuss the start of training camp this week.

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