Calgary Flames backup goaltender Henrik Karlsson will be sidelined for a minimum of six to eight weeks with a high-grade MCL tear.
The Stockholm native was injured during the third period of Calgary’s 5-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 4.
Karlsson is 0-4-1 this season with a 3.48 goals against average and .895 save percentage in six games this season. The Flames have placed the wounded goalie on the injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 5.
Replacing Karlsson will be 2006 first-round draft pick Leland Irving of the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat.
Irving has yet to make his NHL debut, but has posted a 15-7 record and .914 save percentage with the Heat this season.
