Jan Hejda Injury: Avalanche Defenseman Undergoes Wrist Surgery

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jan Hejda had wrist surgery earlier in the offseason and is expected to need four to six months of recovery time, reports Eurolanche (via Adrian Dater of the Denver Post). This kept Hejda out of the World Hockey Championships for the Czech Republic back in May and could delay the start of his 2012-13 season. Camps open in September.

As Dater explains, this injury helps explain Sunday's signing of Greg Zanon to a two-year contract (and the earlier, failed pursuit of Matt Carkner, as well). Dater speculates a trade could happen before the season begins, but for now the Avalanche are deep on defensemen.

Hejda joined the Avalanche as a free agent during the 2011 offseason, signing a four-year, $13 million contract on July 1, 2011. Hejda played in 81 games and scored five goals and 19 points. He played the previous four season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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