Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek could be out for a month after spraining a knee playing for a Czech team during the NHL work stoppage.

It was initially reported that Voracek, who signed with HC Lev Praha for the duration of the lockout, would only miss a week due to the injury. But CSNPhilly.com is reporting that it could be worse than originally thought -- it's being described as a bad knee sprain -- and could force him out for a month.

Voracek was hurt during the third period of Saturday's game against SKA St. Petersburg.

The Flyers have a lot invested in Voracek after giving him a four-year, $17-million contract during the summer. He had been a restricted free agent.

Last season, the big Czech played primarily on the second line with Daniel Briere, racking up 18 goals and 31 assists along the way, but was expected to take over the spot vacated by Jaromir Jagr, who jumped to the Dallas Stars.

PRED SIGNS WITH OMSK

Sergei Kostitsyn is headed to Russia for the duration of the lockout but he won't be playing with his brother, Andrei.

The Nashville Predators forward signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL Sunday, joining the likes of Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Nikita Nikitin and a handful of former NHLers. His brother, however, is playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL after being let go by the Predators and becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Sergei Kostitsyn had 17 goals and 26 assists in 75 games with the Predators last season.

RED WING FLIES TO SWEDEN

Detroit Red Wings defenceman Jonathan Ericsson will play for a third division team in Sweden during the lockout.

Ericsson will reportedly play for Vita Hasten, at least for the time being. He played with the team in his first season of pro hockey back in 2002-03 when he was 18 years old.

"It feels great to be able to help the parent club now," Ericsson said on the team's website. "I do not know how many games it will be, we follow the league's development and take it day by day. I will at least play home games on (October) 17, 21 and 24. Then we'll see what happens."

Ericsson, 28, is the sixth Red Wings player to bolt to Europe during the work stoppage.