Pittsburgh, PA (Best E Casino) - Pittsburgh Penguins executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero announced Wednesday that defenseman Sergei Gonchar will be sidelined indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder.

The 34-year-old rearguard suffered the injury in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay on September 20.

"Sergei will continue to be evaluated as our team medical personnel consider several treatment options," stated Shero. "In the meantime, we will look for our other defensemen to step up and fill the void created by his absence."

Gonchar finished second among defensemen in scoring last season, registering 12 goals and 65 points in 78 games for the Eastern Conference champs.