Flyers' Hartnell out 4-8 weeks with broken foot

PHILADELPHIA -- Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said Thursday that forward Scott Hartnell could miss from four to eight weeks with a broken first metatarsal in his left foot.

Hartnell sustained the injury during the third period of Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils when he was hit in the foot by a shot by teammate Kimmo Timonen.

"Right now we're trying to decide, talking to the doctor, what the best way to proceed is as far as how to approach this," Holmgren said before the Flyers' game against the New York Rangers. "I can't give you a time frame. It's probably going to be between four to eight weeks. … Obviously it's a significant injury."

Hartnell, who led the Flyers in goals last season with 37, had missed just three games in his first five seasons with Philadelphia.

Holmgren said a trade is an option, saying he's "looking around."

"Scott's a big loss because of how he plays the game," Holmgren said. "To have him out any length of time is difficult. If you're looking at a month to two months, it’s a tough pill to swallow. But we'll see what we can do."

Holmgren also Danny Briere, who has yet to play this season due to a sprained left wrist sustained playing in Germany during the lockout, could return to the lineup during the team's weekend trip to Florida. Holmgren said Briere had an X-ray Thursday to assess his recovery. The Flyers visit the Florida Panthers on Saturday and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

"He's getting better," Holmgren said. "I would say he's maybe 50-50 on the weekend. I'll have a better idea after the game."

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