The Avalanche will likely begin its season Oct. 8 against Detroit without forward Brandon Yip and defenseman Jan Hejda.

Yip broke a forearm blocking a shot Friday night in the preseason home opener against the St. Louis Blues, and afterward Avs coach Joe Sacco announced that Hejda will miss two to four weeks with a knee injury.

Hejda didn’t play Friday and Sacco isn’t sure when the 6-foot-4, 237-pound defenseman injured his knee. Hejda played 77 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets and signed a free-agent contract with the Avs on July 1.

Sacco said he will have an update on Yip’s injury Saturday.

Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com