Devils' Martin, Pandolfo out 4-6 weeks with injuries

New Jersey defenseman Paul Martin and left wing Jay Pandolfo will be sidelined four to six weeks after being injured in the Devils' game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.




The Devils said on Monday that Martin, possibly their top defenseman, has a broken left arm that will not require surgery. New Jersey said Pandolfo has a shoulder injury without being more specific, though team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello seemed to indicate it had been dislocated when he was asked about a timetable for Pandolfo's return.

"Everybody's body is different," he said. "You have players that pop out, go back in, they play within five minutes. Other players, they pop out and it takes a long time because of just their body makeup or just the way they are."

Martin leads the Devils in ice time, while Pandolfo is one of the top defensive forwards and a key penalty killer.

"There's no question what they bring to the lineup," Lamoriello said. "Paul, certainly, what he brings to defense, and Jay, what he brings to penalty killing and leadership and 5-on-5 defensive situations. But you just cannot put it as anything other than, it's a part of the game. When these things transpire, other people get opportunities."

The team recalled defenseman Cory Murphy from Lowell of the AHL.

Forward Patrik Elias, who has not played this season because of groin surgery in mid September, is close to returning to practice.

Pandolfo has a goal and an assist in nine games, while Martin has two assists in nine games, averaging almost 24 minutes a game. The 28-year-old plays on all of the Devils' special teams as well as defense.

Lamoriello said Martin will wear a cast.

"When it's non-displaced, that means it's already in place, so it's just the healing," Lamoriello said. "And everybody's body is different. They put machines now in the cast for calcium so it doesn't take as much time."