Stars defenseman John Klingberg may be out longer than initially expected.
Klingberg, who broke his hand against San Jose on Nov. 8, had surgery last week and was to miss at least four weeks. On Friday morning, Stars coach Jim Montgomery said Klingberg would be out for at least five weeks.
"If it's six weeks, I'd take the deal right now," Montgomery said.
Klingberg is the Stars' Norris Trophy candidate and No. 1 defenseman, the player who ran the Dallas power play and already scored five goals in the season's opening 16 games. He was earning more time on the penalty kill and was a perfect fit with partner Esa Lindell's more defensive game.