Oilers' Weight Out 10-12 Weeks

Injured center Doug Weight will be lost to the Edmonton Oilers for about three months, the team announced Saturday night.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Reid will perform arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair a suspected torn medial collateral ligament.

The damage to the anterior cruciate ligament isn't as serious as was first thought and won't require the major reconstructive surgery originally feared, Reid said.

"The MCL is torn," Reid said. "We'll make sure there is no associated damage. We'll make definitive decisions during surgery."

Weight, who had an MRI done on Friday, is projected to miss 10-12 weeks, Reid said.

"I think attitude will make a difference, and the intangibles," said Reid, when asked how he determined Weight's projected absence." "He's got the right attitude. That will minimize the time."

Doug Weight will undergo surgery Tuesday. (AP)

Weight has been the Oilers' leading scorer in each of the last five seasons. He had five assists in four games since returning from his contract holdout.

"I think, short term, we can put a brace on it and send him back," Reid said. "But that's not the way we want to go."

The Oilers' star admitted Saturday night he was relieved to hear he wouldn't miss the whole season.

"I've been through peaks and valleys the last few weeks," Weight said. "Obviously, this is one of the peaks. ... I'll work hard every day to return as soon as possible."

Weight sufferethe injury in the first period of Wednesday's game against Washington after a collision with Capitals defenseman Mark Tinordi, nine days after signing a two-year contract for $7.8 million.

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