Anton Volchenkov injury: Devils defenseman breaks ankle while playing in KHL

New Jersey Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov fractured his ankle while playing for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League, according to team general manager Lou Lamoriello. Volchenkov is expected to miss four-to-six weeks while recovering from the injury.

Lamoriello did not know how Volchenkov sustained the injury but had spoken to his agent, who informed him of the situation. As of this time, the general manager has yet to speak to Volchenkov directly.

If the NHL were to resolve the labor dispute with the NHL Players Association sometime during the course of Volchenkov's recovery schedule, the Devils would be able to suspend him without pay until he is healthy enough to return to action.

The league is hoping to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement by the end of the week so that a condensed 82-game schedule could begin on Nov. 2. However, there are no future negotiations scheduled between the NHL and NHL Players Association, as of this time.

This story originally appeared at SB Nation.