Dylan Samberg will miss the start of the regular season for the Winnipeg Jets because of a broken wrist.
Coach Scott Arniel said on Monday that the injury will keep the 26-year-old defenseman out for 6-8 weeks. Samberg averaged 21:08 of ice time last season and was a team-best plus-34.
"It’s like the first day of camp last year when we lost two 'D,'" Arniel said. "It's unfortunate. He's a big part of our hockey team, but we've asked guys to step up before, and this is all part of that battle of guys battling for jobs, whether that's in practice or the exhibition games."
Samberg was injured during a 4-2 win against the Calgary Flames on Saturday on a hit from Flames forward Ryan Lomberg.
Last season, he missed seven weeks with a broken foot he sustained by blocking a shot from Steven Stamkos in a 4-1 loss at the Nashville Predators on Nov. 23. Samberg finished the season with an NHL career-high 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 60 games and three assists in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
The Jets open their season at home against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 9.
"Every day you are doing something, you are being evaluated," Arniel said. "Now we have opportunities, and guys are having to step up for that spot."
