Broken toe to sideline Andreychuk 4-6 weeks

TAMPA -- The Lightning is about to learn just how much of veteran Dave Andreychuk's teachings have been absorbed by its young players during the past year.

Andreychuk, the team captain and inspirational leader, will miss 4-6 weeks with a hairline fracture of the big toe on his right foot, the team said Thursday.

The loss of Andreychuk comes during a difficult stretch. Tampa Bay is 2-4-1-1 in its past eight, including Thursday's 3-2 victory against Edmonton, and leaves today on a four-game road trip. The injury sparked a debate about which will be harder to replace, the 39-year-old's play or presence.

"This really hurts," coach John Tortorella said before the game. "It hurts more for his influence in the situation we're in right now than on the ice. We'll miss him."

Andreychuk was hit by a slap shot Nov.23 against the Devils, but the left wing played the next four games. Knowing the injury was serious, he refused to give in until skating became a struggle during Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss at Toronto. An MRI on Wednesday revealed the fracture.

"I pretty much knew something was wrong," said Andreychuk, who played in the first 25 games. "I tried to delay the process, hoping it would get better, but I knew. I'm going on the road trip, and I'll try to be around the guys as much as I can."

Andreychuk and center Tim Taylor, in his ninth season, were acquired before last season to mentor Tampa Bay's developing stars and unify the locker room. When the team was besieged by late-season injuries, Andreychuk also became a force on the ice, scoring nine goals during the final 18 games and taking key faceoffs.

A captain for the first time during his 21-year career, Andreychuk was instrumental in the team's 7-1-2 start. He had eight goals and four assists, averaging 14:33 of ice time. His six power-play goals lead the team, and his 62.8 faceoff percentage was tied for the league lead entering Thursday's games.

Andreychuk recently reached two milestones: the NHL record for power-play goals (251) and 600th goal.

"It's a huge blow to our power play, and he takes faceoffs on the right-hand side in our defensive zone," Taylor said. "Plus, he's a big leader on this team. It's going to be tough, but we'll see if this team is growing and if this team can handle it."

Taylor, Brad Richards and Vinny Lecavalier will take additional faceoffs, and Sheldon Keefe and rookie Alexander Svitov, recalled Thursday from Springfield, will get the chance to take Andreychuk's spot in front of the goal on the power play.

"He's been contributing with scoring, and he's the leader of the club. So it will be tough," Lecavalier said. "We'll all have to work harder."

Tortorella said he is eager to see how his team responds.

"It falls onto the younger guys," he said. "I think the players have matured enough in the past year that some of the responsibility needs to go on their shoulders. And they need to do it on the job now. This is a really good test for our team."