NHL teams
Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Kris Versteeg likely out a month

NHL, Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO -- Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg is expected to miss about a month with an upper-body injury, coach Joel Quenneville said on Saturday.

Quenneville said it was doubtful Versteeg would require surgery.

Versteeg suffered the injury when his left hand was struck by a puck shot by Capitals forward Eric Fehr from a short distance in the third period of the Winter Classic on Thursday. Versteeg left the game shortly later and did not return.

Versteeg has nine goals, 18 assists and is a plus-14 in 34 games this season. He is third on the team in points.

"It's going to be a big loss for our team," Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford said. "Just another guy who can create things offensively for us. It's definitely another five chances a game that is created by him and the other guys. It's going to be tough, but it's something we'll have to deal with."

Versteeg was replaced by Patrick Sharp on the Blackhawks' second line during practice on Saturday. The Blackhawks also recalled forward Teuvo Teravainen to fill a spot in the lineup.

Versteeg missed four games earlier in the season with a lower-body injury. He has been among the Blackhawks' top players this season after spending the offseason strengthening his right knee. He struggled last season after admittedly returning too soon from an ACL injury.

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