Former Windsor Spitfire Ryan Ellis is expected to miss four to six month as he recovers from off-season knee surgery.
Nashville Predators general manager David Poile is hopeful Ellis, 26, will be able to return around the start of the new year.
"Ryan Ellis had knee surgery in the off-season, and in discussions with our doctors at this time, they would like to take it a little bit slower with his recovery," Poile told the Predators' website. "The initial prognosis on this type of knee injury is four to six months. Right now, we feel, and the doctors feel, it's going to take the full six months for him to recover."
Ellis scored a career-high 16 goals and 38 points for the Predators last season, while helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals.