Just one day into training camp and the injury bug has already taken a bite out of the Ottawa Senators.
Defenceman Filip Kuba was forced to leave the ice during during a Group 2 practice after his skate got caught in a rut causing a leg injury.
Head coach Cory Clouston was unsure of the extent of the injury, only that Kuba was taken to a local hospital where he would undergo x-rays and further examination.
"We had to play a lot without him last year, and obviously we may have to start the season without him again," Clouston told reporters following practice.
Clouston also said that the timing of the injury might help lessen the blow.
We had to play a lot without him last year, and obviously we may have to start the season without him again. "I guess if you are going to do it, doing it at the start of the season is better than at the end of the year when we would miss him for the playoffs," Clouston admitted.
Should Kuba miss any extended period it would be a real hit to the Senators defence corps who lost both Anton Volchenckov and Andy Sutton to free agency in the off-season.
The 33-year old Kuba was has been recovering from off-season back surgery that caused him to miss the final 11 games of the season and all six of the Senators playoff contests. He finished last season with three goals and 25 assists in 53 games.
The loss likely means an opening on the Senators blueline with Brian Lee the most likely candidate to replace the Czech defenceman.
"Bad luck for him but a good opportunity for someone else whom maybe we can get a longer look and depending on the seriousness (of Kuba's injury), may even start the season out with us who might (otherwise) had to start the season down in Binghamton," Clouston admitted.
Kuba had been paired with sophomore Erik Karlsson prior to the injury.
