Derian Hatcher Cut Off At The Knees

It looked like an innocent collision, until it claimed the Detroit Red Wings' prize free agent. Defenseman Derian Hatcher will miss four to six months after tearing a knee ligament during last night's game against Vancouver. He left the game after a first-period tangle with Canucks' defenseman Bryan Allen. Hatcher, who has missed just four games in the last three seasons, was supposed to be the physical conscience of what looked like the NHL's best defense. Bad news? Definitely. Panic time for Red Wings' fans? Hardly. The Detroit Free Press reports that Hatcher will be replaced by Jason Wooley Wooley is no Norris Trophy candidate. But he's a heck of a lot better than the seventh defenseman on most teams.