Red Wings forward needs hernia surgery

Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom will undergo his second hernia surgery in less than a year, the NHL club said Saturday.

General Manager Ken Holland said Holmstrom will miss up to five weeks, but should be ready in time for the playoffs.

Following a three-game absence, he will have surgery Wednesday in Philadelphia.

Holmstrom also had hernia surgery last June after playing throughout the post-season with the injury.

We’ll see how big (of a tear) it is when they open me up, he told The Detroit News before Saturday’s 8-3 rout of Edmonton. Hopefully it’s a small tear. Last time, they said it was a small (one) and it turned out to be bigger than I thought.

In this his 12th NHL season, the 36-year-old Holmstrom has amassed 30 points (14 goals and 16 assists) in 40 games.