Eric Belanger Placed on IR, Magnus Paajarvi Recalled From Oklahoma City

It's not totally unexpected, but the Oilers Twitter account announced that Eric Belanger went on Injured Reserve today. Magnus Paajarvi will replace him on the 23-man roster.

#Oilers place forward Eric Belanger on IR and recall forward Magnus Paajarvi from the #OKCBarons.

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 3, 2013

Belanger blocked a pair of shots against Colorado, the first with the outside of his left foot, the second with his hand or forearm. Belanger went to the locker room both times, but didn't return after the arm injury. Paajarvi, returns to the NHL after a brief stint in Oklahoma City due to a roster squeeze.

Belanger's injury leaves the Oilers without an experienced faceoff centre - Shawn Horcoff's "stiff neck" (concussion) has kept him out of the lineup twice thus far. The Oilers may move Lennart Petrell to centre Ryan Smyth and Teemu Hartikainen, leaving Paajarvi to skate with Lander and Hordichuk.