Andy Sutton, the Anaheim Ducks' defenseman who fractured his right thumb in the season opener Friday in Detroit against the Red Wings, is expected to miss six to eight weeks after surgery this morning, the club announced today.
Sutton's injury is the second suffered by an Anaheim free agent defenseman in the early going this season. Toni Lydman, who signed a three-year contract this summer, has yet to play this season while suffering from double vision. Sutton, who signed a two-year deal with the Ducks in the offseason, broke his thumb during a fight with Ruslan Salei of Detroit on Friday.
Without Sutton and Lydman, the Ducks' defense has suffered mightily, as they have allowed a whopping 145 shots in three games. They have been outscored 13-2 in their three games, all losses.
The Ducks next play Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks, the home opener for Anaheim.
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