Avalanche’s Smyth is out

Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan Smyth has a broken right ankle and will miss up to eight weeks, the latest blow to a team that already lost captain Joe Sakic to injury.

Smyth was hurt Monday during Colorado’s 4-3 overtime loss at Phoenix. The club said Thursday the fracture was discovered during a follow-up MRI.

Smyth has 28 points, third-best on the team, with 11 goals and 17 assists in 36 games.

Sakic, who underwent hernia surgery last Friday, is expected to be out at least eight weeks.

Defenseman Kurt Sauer (neck) and center Tyler Arnason (wrist) are also on injured reserve. Arnason is expected to join the Avalanche on its upcoming five-game trip.