Ducks' Leo Carlsson (thigh) out 3-5 weeks; Olympics in jeopardy

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson will be sidelined for three to five weeks after undergoing a procedure to address a left thigh injury.

The timeline puts Carlsson's participation in the upcoming Olympics in jeopardy. His native Sweden is scheduled to play its first game of the hockey tournament against host Italy on Feb. 11.

NHL players are taking part in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.

Carlsson, 21, underwent the procedure Friday in Los Angeles on a Morel-Lavallee lesion, an injury in which a fluid-filled space results after skin and fat become separated from fascia tissue.

"I haven't heard exactly how he's doing right now, but I'm sure he's in the situation where he's going through the process and the procedure that he went through," Anaheim coach Joel Quenneville said following the team's 3-2 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.

"We wish him nothing but the best, and then have a great recovery and come back and help us out."

Carlsson leads the Ducks with 44 points in 44 games. He has 18 goals, second only to Cutter Gauthier (20) on the team, while his 26 assists trail only the injured Troy Terry (29).

Carlsson was selected by Anaheim with the second overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft.

--Field Level Media