The NHL season is less than 10 games old, but already major injuries are reshaping some teams.

Blues power forward David Backes knocked Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar out of action for at least four to six weeks with a broken wrist. Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma didn’t notice the hit during the game, but was able to detect it on tape.

“You can see what’s happening, but the camera is going away from the hit,” Bylsma told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “It wasn’t a hard hit. It wasn’t a late hit. It was just a normal kind of riding the guy out [of the play] and finishing your check.

“It must have caught him in an unfortunate spot.”

This is a huge hit for Pittsburgh. Gonchar has been playing 24 minutes per game and he provides the blue-line hammer on the power play.

Kris Letang will move up to join Alex Goligoski on the first power play unit. And Martin Skoula figures to join the lineup after opening the season as a healthy scratch.

“There will be an adjustment in the game,” Bylsma told the Post-Gazette. “It might last a period, maybe a full game. But I think he’s practiced hard. He’s been diligent. A veteran guy. The pace is going to be a bit quick, maybe, to start, but I don’t think it’s a real serious concern.”

The Blues have their share of missing players, with defenseman Eric Brewer (back, knee surgery), Barret Jackman (sprained ankle) and Alex Steen (broken wrist) on the injured list.

Elsewhere, major early-season casualties include:

Marc Savard, C, Bruins: Boston’s top pivot suffered a broken foot that will sideline him for at least six weeks. This puts more on Patrice Bergeron, trying to reestablish himself after bouts with post-concussion syndrome, and David Krejci. Also, former Blues fill-in Trent Whitfield could play a major role as well.

“Guys have stepped up for me in previous years,’’ Bergeron told the Boston Globe. “I guess I’m on the other side now.’’

Daniel Sedin, W, Canucks: He is still sidelined by a broken football, leaving his twin Henrik on his own for the next few weeks. The Toronto Globe and Mail suggested that Henrik was actually looking to shoot the puck in his brother’s absence. “It’s just me trying to play the same way,” he said. “I can’t change anything just because he isn’t there.”

Milan Lucic, W, Bruins: This emerging power forward is out for four to six weeks as well, thanks to his broken finger. The Boston Globe suggested that former Blues fans favorite Brendan Shanahan could become an option.

Johan Franzen, W-C, Red Wings: The “Mule” will miss much of the season after needing major knee surgery. Detroit will miss him on the power play, where Tomas Holmstrom will have to play a bigger role.

Jason Arnott, C, Predators: He will miss a week or two with a left arm/shoulder injury. This is bad news for the sputtering Nashville offense and feckless power play. “It’s tough. It’s part of the game, though,” Arnott told the Tennesseean. “I’m glad it’s not overly serious and it’s not going to be a real long injury. Hopefully I’ll be back soon, playing with the guys and helping them out.”

Sheldon Souray, D. Oilers: He is out indefinitely with post-concussion syndrome. This punches a huge hole in Edmonton’s power play. And the Oilers are also missing defenseman Steve Staios (concussion) and Fernando Pisani (back).

Joe Pavelski, C, Sharks: He is out with the foot injury, but skating back in San Jose while his teammates complete an eastern swing. He could return before the end of the month.

Marian Hossa, W. Blachhawks. He is on the mend from off-season shoulder surgery. He will likely return sometime next month, but Chicago would like to have him sooner than later – especially if dinged- up center Jonathan Toews has to miss much time.

Filip Kuba, D, Senators: Ottawa’s top offensive defenseman has missed seven games and counting with a hip/groin injury. But he IS skating, so perhaps he will return sooner than later.

Patrik Elias, W-C, Devils: He is still mending from groin muscle surgery and hasn’t resumed practicing with the team.

Pavol Demitra, W-C, Canucks. Wait, what — he’s hurt again? Really?

AROUND THE RINKS: Our Town’s Ben Bishop earned high marks for his 4-1 victory over Rockford. The big goaltender is developing nicely . . . Demoted Canadiens forward Sergei Kostitsyn has twice bolted from the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. Montreal GM Bob Gainey will need to deal him soon – perhaps with his brother Andrei – or risk losing him to a team in Russia’s KHL. HockeyBuzz.com suggests the Kings could be a destination, since LA has grown weary of Alexander Frolov’s underachievement. Frolov scored 32 goals last season but has just one this season . . . If you haven’t noticed, the Maple Leafs are dreadful again this season. But GM Brian Burke has a plan and asks that we all give him time to execute it. That’s great, but it doesn’t make coach Ron Wilson feel any more secure in his job . . .  Anybody looking for a play-making center should call the Capitals, who have no spot for veteran Michael Nylander – who is currently doing time in the AHL on a conditioning stint. Washington would like to dump his salary and get some Caps relief . . . Remember when Dany Heatley wanted out of Ottawa because his power-play time diminished? He forced his trade to San Jose, where was recently demoted to the second power-play unit . . . Due to nasty flu outbreaks, a NHL coach is never sure who he’ll have from day to day. Illness has had a big impact in the NHL this season . . . Cristobal Huet’s inconsistency in goal for the Blackhawks has given Antti Niemi an opportunity to gain a foothold in the NHL . . . By scoring 10 points in LA’s first eight games, Kings power forward Ryan Smyth got the attention of the Canadian Olympic team. It seems he isn’t over the hill after all . . . Winger Alexei Shkotov, once a 48th overall pick of the Blues (2002), is struggling to keep his KHL career alive at the age of 25. He flashed considerable skill during his brief time with the AHL’s Worcester Ice Cats but never got close to the NHL . . . Hockey Guy hated to see good guy Don Granato get turfed as Chicago Wolves coach, but former Blues assistant coach Don Lever was a good pick to replace him. Lever brings along former Blues checking forward Ron “Dog” Wilson, a long-time AHL assistant coach.