Zubrus undergoes wrist surgery, out 4-6 weeks

[Teagz]

The New Jersey Devils have announced that veteran forward​

Dainius Zubrus underwent wrist surgery on Thursday

, a procedure that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks.​

Zubrus, 35, had missed the Devils’ last four games with the injury — prior to, he’d scored 1G-3A-4PTS in nine games, averaging over 18 minutes per contest.​

It’s safe to assume that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello knew Zubrus would be out for an extended period of time yesterday, as he swung a deal to bring back forward Alexei Ponikarovsky.​

New Jersey sent Winnipeg a seventh-round pick in 2013 and a fourth-rounder in 2014 for the 32-year-old forward, who scored scored 18 points in 33 regular season games and nine in 24 playoff contests for the Devils in 2011-12.​

Lamoriello told the Bergen Record’s Tom Gulitti the team wanted to bring Ponikarovsky back as a free agent this summer but was usurped by the Jets, who gave Poni a one-year, $1.8 million contract.​

As for Zubrus, this injury couldn’t come at a worse time.​

He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer and now in the 35-and-over designation, meaning his next contract will count towards the team’s salary cap regardless of whether he’s on the active roster or not.​

 

[A.E]

Tough losing Zubby for as long but I definitely welcome back Poni. Poni played really well for us last season and who could forget the playoff OT goal in Philly? Of all positions, we're actually deep at center so while Zubrus will be missed, Poni re-addition will make up for lost offense.

Henrique back to playing center full-time while Poni most likely pairs with Josefson and Bernier on the 3rd line again.