Hatcher out four to six months with torn ACL

Hatcher out four to six months with torn ACL
Eds: UPDATES with details on surgery and Lewis quote
AP Photo TXDAM1501
DETROIT (AP) -- Red Wings defenseman Derian Hatcher will miss four to six months after tearing a ligament in his right knee during a game.
He was hurt when he got tangled up with Vancouver's Markus Naslund and Bryan Allen early in Detroit's 3-2 victory Thursday.
"He was very disappointed," Detroit coach Dave Lewis said. "I talked more to him this morning. He's upset."
Hatcher is expected to have surgery in a couple of weeks, once the swelling goes down. The Red Wings hope he will be able to return in time for the playoffs, which begin in April.
Hatcher was the runner-up in voting last season for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top defenseman.
He signed a five-year, $30 million contract with his hometown team in July after playing the first 12 seasons of his NHL career in the Dallas Stars' organization.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Hatcher was being counted on to bring a physical presence on defense that the Red Wings have lacked since Vladimir Konstantinov was injured in a limousine accident in 1997, less than a week after the team won the Stanley Cup.
Detroit has opened this season with three straight victories.