The Columbus Blue Jackets said forward Patrik Laine has sustained an upper-body injury and will not return to Wednesday's season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Laine appeared to be favouring his right arm after Hurricanes defenceman Brett Pesce hit him into the boards about midway through the second period.
The 24-year-old from Tampere, Finland, finished third on the team in scoring last season with 56 points — 26 goals and 30 assists — in 56 games.
After the signing of coveted free agent Johnny Gaudreau, Laine signed a four-year, $34.8-million contract with the Blue Jackets on July 22.
Laine, who was selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2016, was traded to the Blue Jackets along with Jack Roslovic for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick on Jan. 23, 2021.
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