The Tampa Bay Lightning expect defenseman Jason Garrison to miss 3-5 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Garrison was hurt in Monday’s 5-1 loss to Ottawa. The 31-year-old played just 4:10 of that game, missing the final two periods.
“That’s a tough one too, because he’s a big minute-munching defenseman for us,” coach Jon Cooper told reporters. “A big body and size.”
Garrison has just four goals and three assists in 52 games, but he’s third on the Bolts in average ice time (18:23), second in blocked shots (76), and third in hits (69).
Matt Carle replaced Garrison for Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Montreal.
Update: In a related move, the Bolts have recalled d-man Slater Koekkoek -- the 10th overall pick in 2012 -- from AHL Syracuse.
Cooper on Koekkoek: "He's been up with us before. Kid can really skate, has good gaps. He can play at this level so should be no problem."
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) February 11, 2016