PHILADELPHIA, April 7 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Eric Desjardins will miss the NHL playoffs after reinjuring his right arm, General Manager Bob Clarke said Wednesday.
Desjardins, who broke the arm earlier in the season, had recently returned to the lineup. But Clarke said a metal plate that doctors inserted to protect the arm broke while Desjardins played catch with his son.
Clarke said the player will need a bone graft, scheduled Friday.
"He's done for the season," Clarke said. "The doctors said it doesn't happen very often, but it happened to Eric."
The Flyers open their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series with the New Jersey Devils Thursday night.
The 34-year-old Desjardins had surgery for a broken right forearm in January, had returned to the team for the final three games of the regular season and expected to be in the playoffs.
"Someone else with have to step up," Clarke said.
Desjardins, who has been with the Flyers nine years, had one goal 11 assists in 48 games this season.
He is the third Flyers' defenseman on the injured list. Vladimir Malakhov is out with a jaw injury while Dennis Seidenberg with a leg problem.
