The Nashville Predators have placed forward Tommy Novak on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. According to the team, Novak is expected to miss four to six weeks.

It’s a huge loss for the struggling Predators, and a particularly ill-timed one for Novak. The 26-year-old winger has been one of the Preds’ most consistent scorers this season. He’s tied for second on the team in both goals (6) and points (12), and has six points in his past five games, including a two-assist effort in Nashville’s 7-5 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.

Novak’s chemistry with linemates Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista have also been a high point for the Predators this season, one that coach Andrew Brunette will now need to address. For now, it’s safe to assume Cody Glass, who himself just returned the lineup after missing three weeks of action with an injury, will be elevated into the 2C spot. Colton Sissons will likely slot back into the 3C spot, and either Michael McCarron or Juuso Parssinen should handle the 4C spot.

Curiously, the Predators did not recall a forward to take Novak’s spot, but instead brought up defenseman Spencer Stastney from the Milwaukee Admirals. Stastney impressed in his debut eight-game stint for the Predators at the end of last season, and is off to a solid start with the Admirals this season (1 goal and 3 assists in 10 games.) With Marc Del Gaizo still in the fold, the Predators have 13 forwards and 8 defensemen on the active roster.