Penguins' Gonchar to miss season opener

High-scoring defenceman Sergei Gonchar will miss the Pittsburgh Penguins' season opener and possibly more games due to a dislocated left shoulder.

Gonchar, who finished third on the Eastern Conference champions with 65 points (12 goals) last season, was hurt during Pittsburgh's exhibition opener on Saturday.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero said surgery is an option for Gonchar, who is entering his 14th NHL season.

Shero, though, wouldn't speculate on when the 34-year-old will return.

"I think Sergei is at a point right now where he just needs to gather as much information possible through the doctors and make a decision when he's comfortable making a decision," Shero said.

The Penguins open the regular season on Oct. 4 in Stockholm against the Ottawa Senators (CBC, 2:30 p.m. ET).