Patrik Nemeth

“Patrik is done for the year. Maybe a possibility would be playoffs,” said Ruff. “It was a severe laceration.”

Nemeth was injured when he and Flyers forward R.J. Umberger got tangled up along the benches and Umberger’s skate came up and cut Nemeth. The Dallas defenseman underwent surgery on Sunday. Ruff said he couldn’t go into detail on the damage but said it was significant.

“I think it involved everything,” Ruff said. “When I said severe that was probably an understatement. I don’t want to go into detail because I don’t know exactly, but it involves everything. First and foremost, I hope for his sake that it is a full recovery.”

Nemeth, 22, made the Dallas roster out of training camp this season after a strong showing with the Stars late last season. He helped the Texas Stars win the AHL’s Calder Cup last season, scoring the Cup-clinching goal in overtime in Game 5 vs. St. John’s.

With Nemeth out, Jamie Oleksiak is expected to fill that spot in the lineup. Oleksiak, Dallas’ first round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, has played in one game this season and has a total of 24 NHL games under his belt. He was a big part of the Texas championship team last season.

“He’s matured and with young players it takes time,” said Ruff. “I think them winning the championship last year was huge for him. I think he gained a lot of confidence going down there and playing a real big role for them. I think with a bigger role here now, the confidence will come.”

Oleksiak said he is ready to step in and help the team, but expressed concern about the injury to his teammate.

“It is tough to see what happened to Nemeth,” said Oleksiak. “It is just one of those freak accidents and we are wishing him the best. Hopefully, he gets back soon, gets rested up and everything is OK.”