The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the favorites this season to take home the Stanley Cup trophy. Those hopes took a big hit on as the Hurricanes appear to have lost defenseman Tony DeAngelo for an extended amount of time.

During Monday’s 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, DeAngelo suffered an upper body injury and did not return. The injury initially did not appear too serious, but on Friday news surfaced that DeAngelo could miss a month, if not longer.

During the 2nd period Monday, DeAngelo attempted a slap shot and then skated off the ice, never to return. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour talked about the injury to the media, according to News Observer’s Chip Alexander. Brind’Amour noted that the injury likely took place before the slap shot, but the force of that pushed it over the edge.

Live and breathe sports?

🚨 Get viral graphics, memes, rumors and trending sports news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter.

“It’s a tough blow because he’s obviously a big part of what’s going on,” Brind’Amour said after practice Thursday. “But every team seems to have it and you’ve got to deal with it. It’s next guy up and you’ve got to step in.”

DeAngelo was one of the NHL’s leading defenseman in scoring this season with nine goals and 31 assists. He was a stalwart on the ice, paired alongside Jaccob Slavin as the top defensive pairing. DeAngelo also led the Hurricanes in power play minutes this season.

Carolina is already without defenseman Brendan Smith who took a puck to the ear Sunday night. Brind’Amour mentioned that the Hurricanes were more optimistic on Smith’s imminent return.