The Atlanta Thrashers say they will be without star forward Ilya Kovalchuk for three-to-five weeks.
The team announced on Monday that the 26-year-old has a broken bone in his right foot, which was discovered during a CT scan.
The Russian star suffered the injury on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.
"Injuries are a part of the game," said Thrashers general manager Don Waddell in a statement on the team's website. "It's very disappointing for Kovy and for us to lose him."
It is a tough loss for the 4-3-1 Thrashers as they sit second in the Southeast Division and 10th overall in the Eastern Conference.
Kovalchuk is off to a fast start this season, with 10 points (nine goals, one assist) over his eight games.
"Now it's an opportunity for some other players to step up," Waddell said. "The time that he'll be lost, we'll miss him, but our team will continue on and we'll win hockey games."
In his career, Kovalchuk has 306 goals and 261 assists over 553 NHL games.
