DETROIT, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The Detroit Red Wings have lost right wing Daniel Cleary for six to eight weeks because of a broken jaw.
The 11-year veteran suffered the injury in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss at Toronto when he was struck in the face by a slap shot by teammate Mikael Samuelsson in the first period.
Cleary was taken to a local hospital after Maple Leafs doctors determined he had a non-displaced fracture.
The Detroit Free Press reported Sunday Cleary was cleared to fly back to Detroit despite having his jaw wired shut for at least two weeks.
"Surgery went well, I'm told," General Manager Ken Holland told the newspaper. "Our hope is that he's ready to return the last week of the regular season."
Cleary is the Red Wings' third-leading goal scorer this season with 20 in 57 games. With 20 assists, his 40 total points are good for 71st on the league's points list.
