Chris Chelios, left, is helped off the ice Tuesday night by teammate Brett Lebda. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings will open the season without veteran defenceman Chris Chelios.
Chelios, 46, learned Thursday that he will be sidelined three to six weeks because of a fractured shin bone.
The three-time Norris Trophy winner suffered the injury when he blocked a shot 5:11 into the third period of Tuesday's 2-1 shootout loss in pre-season action at Montreal.
He favoured his right leg as he skated gingerly off the ice and did not return.
Chelios, the oldest player in the NHL, signed a one-year, $750,000 US contract with Detroit on Sept. 9.
He had three goals and nine assists for 12 points with a plus-11 rating in 69 games last season, missing several games with a chip fracture in his right leg.
Chelios has notched 185 goals and 948 points with 2,873 penalty minutes and has a plus-351 rating in 1,616 games over 24 NHL seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Red Wings.
He has won three Stanley Cups (1986, 2002, 2007) since he was drafted in the second round (40th overall) by Montreal in 1981.
Chelios is entering his 10th season with Detroit, which opens the season on Oct. 9.
With files from the Associated Press
