Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno is expected to miss two to four weeks with a lower-body injury, a major development in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced a timeline Monday in which Foligno could be out for the rest of the regular season and some of the playoffs. He was hurt during Saturday's game against the St. Louis Blues.
With six games left, Columbus is third in the Metropolitan Division, tied with Philadelphia and three points behind two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh. The Blue Jackets are three points ahead of New Jersey, which is in the final playoff position in the East.
Foligno has 15 goals and 18 assists. With Foligno out, Brandon Dubinsky will be counted on to play more minutes. Columbus also recalled center Alex Broadhurst from Cleveland of the AHL.
The Blue Jackets also announced that they have signed Princeton captain Eric Robinson to a two-year entry-level contract. Robinson had career highs of 17 goals and 14 assists for the Tigers this season.
"Eric is a power forward with excellent speed who plays a very reliable two-way game and brings the type of character and leadership we value as an organization," Kekalainen said in a statement. "He will join our team for the rest of the regular season and we are excited about his future with the Columbus Blue Jackets."
Robinson will make $925,000 per year as part of a deal that includes maximum bonuses available to entry-level players.
Columbus begins a three-game Western Canadian road trip at Edmonton on Tuesday night.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.