Dany Heatley out one week with groin injury

Anaheim Ducks forward Dany Heatley is expected to miss at least one week with a groin injury, according to the team. Heatley was apparently injured in Sunday’s preseason contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

Heatley will miss the final preseason game on Saturday when the Ducks face-off with the San Jose Sharks. If all goes well and Heatley recovers on time, he should be in the lineup for the Ducks’ season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 9.

More from Ducks News

• Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
• Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
• Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?

Heatley signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Ducks this offseason, hoping to revive his career after three tough years in Minnesota. His final season with the Wild was especially difficult as his offensive production hit rock bottom. In 76 games last season, Heatley only scored 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists).

It was expected that the former 50-goal scorer was going to play alongside superstars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the Ducks’ top-line. The three were teammates on Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. According to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, Patrick Maroon filled in during Heatley’s absence at Monday’s practice.

The 12-year veteran has had stints with the Wild, Sharks, Atlanta Thrashers and Ottawa Senators. The Ducks met Heatley in the 2007 Stanley Cup Final while he was with the Senators. Anaheim defeated Ottawa in five games to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

In 863 career NHL games, Heatley has collected 372 goals and 419 assists for 791 points.

Josh Paulisin is an editor for Pucks of a Feather. You can follow him on Twitter.