Atlanta G Lehtonen out 6-8 weeks after second back surgery

ATLANTA -- Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen is expected to miss six to eight weeks after having a second surgery on his back.

Lehtonen has not played this season after having surgery July 20 to repair a herniated disc.

The team said Wednesday that Lehtonen had another surgery on Friday in Rochester, N.Y., to remove edges of bone that were applying pressure to nerve roots in his back at two locations.

With Lehtonen missing the start of the season, 22-year-old Ondrej Pavelec has a 5-3-1 record as Atlanta's starting goaltender.