Adam Sykora faces four to five months out after Rangers preseason injury

New York Rangers forward Adam Sykora is expected to miss four to five months with a lower-body injury sustained in Monday's preseason game against the New Jersey Devils. The recovery estimate was reported on Wednesday by Andrew Crane in coverage carried by AOL and by Jim Cerny of Forever Blueshirts, whose report appeared on Yahoo Sports.

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The 22-year-old was hurt in the first period at Prudential Center after a hit from Devils defenseman Mikael Diotte. Sykora fell awkwardly into the boards and needed help leaving the ice. Crane reported that teammates Anton Blidh and Liam Greentree, along with a trainer, assisted him after the collision.

The setback interrupts Sykora's attempt to build on his first NHL appearances late last season. He scored three goals and added one assist in 11 games for New York. He also recorded 12 goals and 29 points in 62 appearances for Hartford in the American Hockey League, giving him experience at both levels before this training camp.

Sykora had been working with the Rangers' AHL group at the start of camp, according to Crane. Although he was not expected to begin the season on New York's roster, he had emerged as an option for a recall if the club needed injury cover. The extended absence removes that immediate route back into the NHL lineup.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan expressed disappointment at the news on Wednesday, Cerny reported. Sullivan praised Sykora's energy and enthusiasm and said the forward had been performing well in camp. He also said the organization would help him recover as quickly as possible and bring him back into contention when ready.

Cerny's report placed the projected return window in late January or February, rather than identifying a fixed comeback date. The absence also affects Hartford, where Sykora had been used in all game situations. He will be unable to continue that work while sidelined by the injury.

There was a less severe update on Vincent Iorio, who also left Monday's game against New Jersey with a lower-body injury. The defenseman is considered day-to-day, according to the reports.