Stars' Methot out 4-6 weeks with knee injury

The Dallas Stars will be without defenseman Marc Methot for the next four to six weeks due to a knee injury.
Stars GM Jim Nill announced Monday morning that Methot, who has been out the past five games, had his knee scoped.

"It looked like it was coming around; he did his rehab, started skating, and it didn't get better," Nill said. "Did another MRI and decided they had to do the scope on it."
With Methot out, the Stars recalled Julius Honka from the Texas Stars of the AHL. Honka will provide some depth to the defense which is expected to remain the same as the past few games for now.
"We'll work with Julius moving forward, but we are happy with the six and the way they've played," Stars coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We're really happy with the pairings right now. We'll stay with that."
The Stars also will be without center Martin Hanzal who suffered a hand injury late in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Hanzal was injured as he drove the net and got tangled up with Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse on Jason Spezza's power-play goal with 1:48 left in the game.

Hanzal practiced for about 15 minutes Monday before leaving the ice. Nill said Hanzal is expected to be out three to seven days.
"I feel for Marty," Hitchcock said. "This is the third or fourth time that just as he gets up to speed and starts to really look good, then there is an injury. You feel for a guy like that. He wants to do well, and it just seems that in the game he has the most impact he gets hurt."
The Stars recalled goaltender Mike McKenna from the AHL Monday morning and announced that Kari Lehtonen would be out due to personal reasons. The team announced Monday afternoon that Lehtonen and his wife, Abbe, welcomed son Remi into the world Sunday. The healthy baby boy came in at 21.5 inches and eight pounds, seven ounces.
Hitchcock said with Lehtonen out he has no problem with Bishop playing both Tuesday against Montreal and then again Wednesday when the Stars play at Colorado.
"Ben is rolling with it, and Kari will be back quickly here," Hitchcock said. "We'll be okay."
This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.