Gonchar Out with Fractured Ankle

There was a feeling in the air, when the Dallas coaching staff said that Sergei Gonchar would be out for a period of time and in the evening, the word came down and that is exactly the case.

The 40-year old defender is scheduled to miss the next 3-to-5 weeks with a fractured ankle and this will mean some time missed in the regular season.  With how aged Gonchar is, I couldn't see the Stars rushing him back, especially this early in the season, so I would expect him to miss the latter of the projected timeline.

Gonchar was the 12th round pick for our reigning pool champion, Allan, who took him 258th overall.  Last season, Gonchar had 2 goals and 22 points for Dallas, in a year that no one really thought he would play after the 2013 season.

The Stars did happen to re-sign defenseman Brenden Dillon on Thursday, which should ease the pain of losing Gonchar for the short-term.  Dillon may not be a reasonable offensive replacement, but at least he'll be a seasoned body to fill the gap, until Gonchar is ready to return.

Gonchar does qualify for the preseason waivers, if Allan decides to switch him up.

An updated list of injuries can be found here.