Kings' Edler out long term with apparent leg injury

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alexander Edler had to be helped off the ice early in Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild after getting hit hard into the boards.

The 35-year-old landed awkwardly and couldn't put any weight on his left leg after Wild forward Brandon Duhaime checked him along the wall less than three minutes into the first period.

Edler got to the bench with the assistance of the Kings' medical staff and immediately went to the dressing room.

The team later ruled him out for the rest of the game, and head coach Todd McLellan said postgame that Edler would be out "long term," according to Kings editorial content manager Zach Dooley.

Los Angeles has dealt with numerous injuries to blue-liners this season. The Kings' No. 1 rearguard, Drew Doughty, missed 16 games with a knee issue before returning Nov. 30. Top-four defenseman Sean Walker is out for the campaign after tearing the MCL and ACL in his right knee on Oct. 25.