Phantoms captain Ben Holmstrom will undergo surgery on his right knee next Thursday at Methodist Hospital, the team announced today. Holmstrom injured the knee back on December 8 when he got caught in a rut during a game against the Syracuse Crunch.

According to the team, the extent of the injury is not yet known. The worst-case scenario would be some sort of ligament tear, where as cartilage damage seems to be the best case scenario according to the Post-Star.

Beyond the fact that he's their captain, Holmstrom's a huge piece of the Phantoms roster. He's a defensive-minded forward and beyond regular everyday NHLers Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier, he's probably the best defensive forward the Phantoms have. If the lockout ends and Holmstrom is still out, the Phantoms will absolutely suffer without all three of those guys.

The Flyers could suffer too if this injury becomes a long-term one. Holmstrom is lined up to be one of the top call-ups for the big club once (if ... ugh) the season begins. He signed a one-year, two-way contract back in July.