DENVER (AP) -Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan Smyth has a broken right ankle and will miss up to eight weeks, the latest blow to a team that already lost captain Joe Sakic to injury.
Smyth was hurt during Colorado’s 4-3 overtime loss at Phoenix on Monday. The club said Thursday the fracture was discovered during a follow-up MRI.
Smyth has 28 points, third-best on the team, with 11 goals and 17 assists in 36 games.
Sakic, who underwent hernia surgery Dec. 28, is expected to be out eight to 12 weeks.
Defenseman Kurt Sauer (neck) and center Tyler Arnason (wrist) are also on injured reserve. Arnason is expected to join the Avalanche on their upcoming five-game road trip.
“Arnie has been skating and progressing well,” coach Joel Quenneville said before Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Phoenix.
Colorado recently recalled rookie T.J. Hensick from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League to add some offensive punch. It’s his second stint with the Avalanche this season. He has one goal and two assists in 12 games with Colorado.
“I’m glad to be back,” Hensick said. “If I play at a consistent level, I can play in this league.”
Quenneville is hoping Hensick can ease the loss of Smyth.
“He’s a guy who can help us,” Quenneville said.
The Avalanche have lost four straight games, including three at home.
Colorado forward Ian Laperriere said Wednesday it will be a challenge to make up for the losses of Smyth and Sakic.
“You need more than one (person) to step up to fill the void,” Laperriere said. “It takes a team effort.”
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