B'Hawks Amonte Out With Injury

The Chicago Blackhawks will be without leading scorer and right wing Tony Amonte, who has a hyperextended right elbow, for Saturday's season opener against the New Jersey Devils.

Amonte had the elbow examined on Tuesday, but there was too much swelling to determine the full extent of the injury. He will be re-examined in the next few days after the swelling subsides.

The Blackhawks also could be without defenseman Paul Coffey, a free agent acquisition in the off-season, for the game against New Jersey. Coffey had a cortisone shot in his lower back to relieve a pinched nerve that has caused occasional numbness in his leg.

The 28-year-old Amonte, a 6-foot, 195-pounder, led Chicago last season with 42 assists, 73 points and a plus-21 rating. He tied Eric Daze for the top spot with 31 goals.

Coffey played 57 games for the Philadelphia Flyers last season and scored two goals with 27 assists. He is the NHL's all-time leader in scoring among defensemen with 1,473 points, good for seventh overall.

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