New York Rangers captain Chris Drury suffered a broken left index finger on Monday and is expected to miss up to a month.
The forward blocked a shot in a morning scrimmage at the team's training facility, resulting in the injury. The timetable for his return stretches into the second week of the regular season.
"It's a tough break for him," said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. "He's a big part of our club as far as what he brings on and off the ice. I know he was anxious to get back at it this year, but you never know with a guy like him how quickly he can come back."
Drury, 34, is entering the fourth year of a five-year $35.25 million deal. He struggled to his worst statistical season in 2009-10 when he registered a career-low 14 goals and 18 assists in 77 contests.
