Adam Sykora will miss 4-5 months for the New York Rangers with a lower-body injury.
The 22-year-old forward sustained the injury in the first period of a 3-2 preseason loss to the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Monday when he was caught a bit off balance and took a hit in the corner from Devils defenseman Mikael Diotte. Sykora fell awkwardly into the boards and needed assistance getting off the ice.
Sykora entered training camp with a chance to make the opening night roster after a strong finish to last season, when he had four points (three goals, one assist) in 11 games after being recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League.
The 22-year-old also had 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 62 games with Hartford.
The Rangers continue their preseason schedule against the Devils at Madison Square Garden on Thursday and conclude it Friday against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.
They open the regular-season against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN).
