Nashville Predators right wing Patric Hornqvist sprained his knee in a collision with Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf.(Photo: Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports)
GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Nashville Predators will need to find some goals in the next three to four weeks.
That’s because forward Patric Hornqvist, their leading goal scorer from last, year will be out that long with a sprained knee.
Hornqvist suffered the injury in the third period of Saturday’s game at Anaheim. He left the Predators’ seven-game, 15-day road trip on Sunday and returned to Nashville for evaluation.
“It’s not a good thing to be missing any player and player of his caliber,” general manager David Poile said. “But all in all, we didn’t know what the situation would be, so it could have been worse.”
Poile said there was no structural damage.
Hornqvist’s left knee twisted in an awkward position when Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf fell on it. Hornqvist left the ice in obvious pain and had to be helped off by teammates.
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After the 4-0 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday night, coach Barry Trotz said the Predators might look to their minor league affiliate in Milwaukee for a spark.
“If you’re not getting it done, you have to change the people,” Trotz said.
He added that Hornqvist was the type of player, who, at the very least, would have tried to drive the net on little-used Coyotes goaltender Chad Johnson.
“He’s a guy who has no problem getting into the interior,” Trotz said.
Hornqvist, 26, has a goal and three assists this season. He is in the final year of a three-year, $9.25 million contract. He will be a restricted free agent when the deal expires.
He led the Predators with 27 goals last season and had 30 goals two years ago.
Josh Cooper also writes for The (Nashville) Tennessean
References
- ^ http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nhl/rankings/ (www.usatoday.com)
