Leo Carlsson is expected to be out 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee, the Anaheim Ducks announced Saturday.
Carlsson, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, was injured in the third period of a 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames on Thursday when Calgary defenseman MacKenzie Weegar fell against the rookie center's right side, causing his leg to buckle inward.
"I'm glad nothing was really severely damaged, but I kind of wish we had him," Ducks coach Greg Cronin said after the 3-2 loss to the visiting Seattle Kraken on Saturday.
Carlsson, who turns 19 on Tuesday, has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 23 games.
"You never like to see a teammate go down, it doesn't matter who it is," Anaheim defenseman Jamie Drysdale said.
Trevor Zegras scored a lacrosse-style goal Saturday in his return from a 20-game absence because of a lower-body injury after moving into Carlsson's spot as the top-line center.
Zegras has two goals and an assist in 13 games this season; he had 65 points (23 goals, 42 assists) in 81 games last season.
