Theo Fleury Out Indefinitely

(CBS Sportsline) 
Theo Fleury's impact on the Colorado Avalanche may not be so instant.

Acquired Sunday from the Calgary Flames, the feisty Fleury will be out indefinitely after suffering a sprained right knee in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

The injury occurred on the first shift of the third period, although Fleury continued playing and scored in his Avalanche debut at 6:57. He also was on the ice for the game's final shift.

"He didn't think much of it, but at the end of the game, the thing got sore and swelled up," said Damen Zier, a team spokesman.

Fleury accompanied the team to Florida, where Colorado will face the Panthers on Wednesday.

"We won't know anything more until (Wednesday) or the next day as far as a specific prognosis," Zier said.

Fleury's acquisition was expected to tilt the balance of power in the Western Conference. Because of his impending unrestricted free agency, the 30-year-old winger came at a seemingly low price, arriving in Denver with left wing Chris Dingman for left wing Rene Corbet, defenseman Wade Belak and future considerations.

A 5-6, 180-pound sparkplug, Fleury has vowed to test the free-agent market, beginning July 1.

Fleury is having one of his best seasons with 31 goals and 39 assists in 61 games. Despite his size and his fearless playing style, he has remained remarkably durable, missing only seven games since his rookie season in 1988-89.

Fleury left Calgary as the team's all-time leading scorer. He has 365 goals and 466 assists with 1,339 penalty minutes in 792 NHL games. He also has 29 goals and 33 assists in 59 playoff games, helping the Flames win the Stanley Cup in 1989.

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