Broken Wings

emyon Varlamov (1) in the first period of a preseason game at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsThe injury bug has caught up with the Ducks this preseason. Four starters have been placed on the Injured Reserve to start the season.

Defensemen Sheldon Souray who has been out since August and missed all of training camp probably won’t return until after the new year

Defensemen Luca Sbisa who sprained an ankle in Phoenix also looks to miss some time to allow it to heal. I expect we will see him return within two weeks of the start of the season.

Winger Emerson Etem who has been out since his collision with Rafi Torres (Sharks) will also miss the opener. He has not skated much since the hit in which Torres tore his ACL.

Winger Jakob Silfverberg also looks to miss the opener after he was injured in the loss to Colorado last week. Bruce Boudreau has not been specific other than to say it was a lower body injury and wasn’t serious. After this posting Silfverberg has been added to the team roster and is set to play opening night.

The Ducks open on Wednesday in Colorado and look like they will be missing some of their young wingers and defensemen. We can only hope for quick healing and their replacements to play well.