The young blueline might stay young for a little bit longer. Head Coach Jeff Blashill announced today that Mike Green will likely be out for up to a month due to his illness.

We originally heard of Green’s illness about two weeks ago when reports of a virus attacking his liver was causing him health problems. Most likely caused by implications from his neck surgery at the end of last season.

This virus will most likely have an effect on his on-ice performance until he takes a good amount of time off. The Red Wings are being extra precautious – since Green is still skating he will start the process of rest and not exerting himself when the regular season starts.

It would be unfortunate to have arguably your best defenceman out for a month and then have his performance affected all season long, but this will give a good opportunity to see the future of the Wings’ blueline.

Per Ansar Khan, we know that at least Kronwall and Ericsson, in addition to Green, will be out for the first game of the season. Trevor Daley will most likely play, so that lessens the available spots to the young blueliners by one.

Dennis Cholowski has already been guaranteed a spot in the lineup, so will it be Filip Hronek, Joe Hicketts, or Libor Sulak that gets to stick around when most of the veteran defencemen are healthy?

They will all have the spotlight on them now.