Patrick Laine is expected to be out 3-4 weeks for the Columbus Blue Jackets with an elbow sprain.
The forward was injured in a 4-1 season-opening loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday when his right arm appeared to get sandwiched between a Hurricanes defenseman. Brett Pesce and the end boards, bending awkwardly at the elbow. He finished his shift with 13:15 remaining in the second period, came back to the bench and was examined by a trainer before heading to the dressing room.
Laine scored 11 seconds into the period, had two shots on goal and played 7:49. He was playing on the top line with a new teammate Johnny Gaudreau and center Boone Jenner.
Laine was second behind Columbus with 26 goals in 56 games last season Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) and has 328 points (177 goals, 151 assists) in 408 NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets.
The time frame for his recovery means Laine could miss the 2022 NHL Global Series on Nov. 4-5 in his hometown of Tampere, Finland, where the Blue Jackets will play two games against the Colorado Avalanche.
Justin Danforth replaced Laine on the top line at practice Thursday. He had 14 points (10 goals, four assists) in 45 games last season as a rookie.
The Blue Jackets will play their home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena on Friday (7 pm ET; NHLN, BSOH, BSSUN, SN NOW).
“I think it’s a good opportunity,” Danforth said. “I played with those guys today and hopefully we can build some chemistry, get some connections.”
Columbus recalled center Kent Johnson, the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on Thursday.
.