New Jersey Devils defenceman Paul Martin placed on injured reserve

NEWARK, N.J. - The New Jersey Devils placed defenceman Paul Martin on injured reserve with upper back soreness on Monday.

Martin is the sixth Devils player on the injured list, joining goalie Martin Brodeur, centres Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik, winger Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond and defenceman Andy Greene. A player on IR is ineligible to compete in games for at least a week.

The injury bug also has hit the Devils' affiliate at Lowell of the American Hockey League.

Forward Matt Halischuk, who recently played a game with the Devils because of all the injuries, will be out three to four weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

New Jersey returned right wing Patrick Davis to Lowell on Monday.