The New Jersey Devils will be without Nick Bjugstad for four-to-six months after the forward underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle last week.
The Devils said Bjugstad suffered the injury in the off-season ahead of his first full season with the team.
Bjugstad, 33, was acquired from the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 4 in exchange for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a draft pick. He had six goals and nine points in 61 games split between the Blues and Devils last season.
The 6-foot-6 centre is entering the final season of a two-year, $3.5 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $1.75 million. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Drafted 19th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2010, Bjugstad has 163 goals and 339 points in 821 career games split between the Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Utah Mammoth, Blues, and Devils.
In a more minor update, the Devils also said Thursday that defenceman Johnathan Kovacevic will be a limited participant in training camp as he rehabs from a minor off-season procedure in his right knee.
