Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival out for playoffs with broken ankle

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival will miss the rest of the playoffs because of a broken left ankle.

He was hurt when he lost his balance and fell backward in the second period of Chicago's 4-3 series-ending victory over the Wild on Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center.

Rozsival was trying to prevent a breakaway from the Wild's Thomas Vanek. Chicago teammates Duncan Keith, Brad Richards and Kimmo Timonen helped Rozsival off the ice.

Team physician Dr. Michael Terry says Rozsival will need surgery to repair the injury.

After struggling for much of the season, Rozsival, 36, had been playing better lately. He had an assist and a minus-two rating in 10 playoff games.

David Rundblad and Kyle Cumiskey are the most likely candidates to fill Rozsival's slot in the lineup. The Blackhawks resume practice Sunday.

The Detroit Red Wings granted permission for teams to talk to their highly coveted coach, Mike Babcock.

The Flyers, Toronto, Buffalo, New Jersey, and San Jose have coaching vacancies. Edmonton has an interim coach, and many other teams, such as Pittsburgh, Boston and St. Louis, might get involved if they can lure Babcock.

Babcock's contract with the Red Wings expires on June 30. He is the only coach to ever win the triple crown of hockey — directing teams to titles in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Olympics, and the world championships.

If Babcock, 52, leaves Detroit, Jeff Blashill, the coach of the Red Wings' AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, is expected to succeed him.

If a team signs Babcock in the next three weeks, it would have to give the Red Wings a third-round draft pick within the next three years, Red Wings GM Ken Holland told reporters in Detroit.

Holland said he wants Babcock to return, but only if he wants the same thing.