Gonchar to undergo surgery, out 4-6 months

Sep 30, 2008 - 11:46 AM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Though the regular season has yet to begin, the Pittsburgh Penguins already have suffered a hard hit.

The Penguins' top defenseman Sergei Gonchar will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Thursday to repair his dislocated left shoulder. He will miss between four and six months.

The 34-year-old Russian was injured in the Penguins' preseason opener on September 20 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after being checked by David Koci.

"It is always difficult to lose a very talented player and leader for an extended period of time, but we all believe this is the best decision for Sergei," Penguins executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero said. "We are confident that he will come back strong after this surgery. In the meantime, we'll look to our other defensemen to step up in his absence."

Gonchar recorded 12 goals and 53 assists in 73 games last season. Drafted 14th overall by Washington in 1992, the four-time All-Star has collected 185 tallies and 615 points in 904 career contests with the Capitals, Boston Bruins and Penguins.

Pittsburgh opens the regular season in Stockholm, Sweden against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.