A foot injury for Philadelphia winger Scott Hartnell will keep the Flyers’ top scorer off the ice indefinitely.
The team’s general manager, Paul Holmgren, confirmed that Hartnell had suffered an injured left foot during gameplay on January 22. Hartnell’s foot was caught in the crossfire when teammate Kimmo Timonen took a shot across the ice in the third period against the New Jersey Devils, breaking the first metatarsal in Hartnell’s left foot.
After the 3-0 loss to the Devils, Holmgren released a statement to the media attesting that his winger could be out for anywhere between four and eight weeks.
"We will know more on this within a day or two as we await results of tests," Holmgren said.
The winger was seen with an ice pack taped to his foot after the loss to the Devils, and reporters say Hartnell did not show up for practice the day after his injury occurred.
Hartnell was the Flyers' leading scorer last season, posting 37 goals and 30 assists. Before being placed on the injured list, Hartnell had one assist in three games this season.
Hartnell is not the only Philadelphia player who has been hindered by an injury. Zac Rinaldo was cut by a skate Sunday while playing against Buffalo, and Danny Briere is set to return to play after a recent wrist injury. The Flyers will also be forced to do without Brayden Schenn, who will sit out on a one-game suspension against the New York Rangers.
After hosting the Rangers on January 24, the Flyers are off to a 0-3 start to the season, putting them in last place in the Atlantic Division.