Predators' Scott Hartnell, Yannick Weber out weeks with lower-body injuries

The Predators announced Tuesday morning that forward Scott Hartnell and defenseman Yannick Weber will miss significant time because of lower-body injuries.

Hartnell will be out three to five weeks. Weber has a slightly shorter timetable at two to four weeks. They were injured Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins and are on injured reserve.

Hartnell, who has four goals and seven points this season, exited Saturday's game after three first-period shifts. Weber left in the second period after his right leg awkwardly buckled as he made contact with Penguins forward Riley Sheahan. Neither player displayed visible discomfort as he left Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday morning.

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The Predators have several options to replace them. At forward, Pontus Aberg and Frederick Gaudreau are the likeliest candidates. Aberg is playing for the Milwaukee Admirals on a conditioning assignment, a provision that allowed him to go to the American Hockey League without clearing waivers. He has three goals in two games since being loaned to the Admirals on Saturday.

Nashville has six healthy defensemen on its roster after trading Samuel Girard to the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 5 as part of the three-team trade that included center Kyle Turris.

Alexandre Carrier, who has four points in 13 AHL games this season, appeared in two NHL games last season and is one of the Predators' most promising defensive prospects.

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.