The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Kevin Porter for about 12 weeks, according to head coach Mike Sullivan.
Porter, the 29-year-old center, underwent surgery on his injured ankle Friday.
“It’s a longer-term injury probably around the 12-week mark,” said Sullivan, as per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “So it’s a tough setback for him and for us.”
Porter was hurt late in the first period of Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win when he got tangled up with Rangers forward Viktor Stalberg and went into the boards feet-first. Porter needed assistance down the runway to the locker room and did not return.
With Porter out, the Pens currently have just 11 forwards on their roster. Sullivan said they have not yet made a decision on which player(s) to recall from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
In 41 games with the Pittsburgh this season, Porter has yet to score a goal. He has three assists. He’s also spent a portion of this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the AHL.
Eric Fehr, who hasn’t played since Feb. 2 due to a lower-body injury, and Beau Bennett, out since Jan. 23 after Sullivan said he aggravated a previous injury, both took part in Friday’s practice.