Leafs' Sundin Out Six Weeks

October 11, 1999 / 10:49 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Center Mats Sundin has been lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs for at least six weeks with a broken right ankle.

The Maple Leafs' captain was injured Saturday night during Toronto's 4-3 loss at the Ottawa Senators when he took a shot off the ankle.

"I'm surprised by it," Sundin said prior to the Maple Leafs' game Monday night against the Nashville Predators.

"It was on a 3-on-2 and (Magnus) Arvedsson was going wide and I went wide with him. He dropped a pass and I stopped. I think it was (Marian) Hossa, who took a one-timer."

It was initially thought Sundin only had a bruised foot, but he didn't practice Sunday and had a series of X-rays Monday morning, when the nondisplaced break was discovered. No surgery is required.

"Any time you get hurt you're not pleased," Sundin said. "There's a first for everybody. I've been fortunate in my career not to get hurt so we'll have to see."

The nine-year NHL veteran had played 259 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the league. The 6-foot-5 native of Sweden was off to a great start this season, leading the Maple Leafs to a 3-1-0 record with three goals and four assists.

Todd Warriner was given the duties of filling in for Sundin on the Maple Leafs' No. 1 line against Nashville, centering Jonas Hoglund and Steve Thomas.