The Predators are going to be without one of their key depth forwards for the remainder of the playoffs as Kevin Fiala is out with a broken femur in his left leg. Fiala sustained the injury after awkardly sliding into the boards following a hit by Robert Bortuzzo. Fiala had to be stretchered off the ice following his collision in the boards as his left leg bent quite awkwardly.
Another look at Kevin Fiala’s injury. Not good. pic.twitter.com/NCQbfEjbVt
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 27, 2017
Nashville Predators Forward Kevin Fiala Out For Season
Losing Fiala will be a bit of a blow to the Nashville’s bottom six as he had not only a decent regular season but also scored a couple clutch goals in the previous series against Chicago. He had 11 goals and 16 points in 54 games during the regular season in Nashville and he got the overtime winner in game three against Chicago to put the Predators up 3-0 in the series. Fiala also added his second goal of the playoffs in game four against Chicago when the Predators finished off the sweep.
Predators general manager David Poile released a statement and he said (via the official website), “He underwent successful surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and is resting comfortably. He is extremely disapointed that he will not be able to help his teammates in their quest for the Stanley Cup, but is looking forward to starting his rehabilitation upon his return to Nashville.”
Fiala is expected to make a full recovery and be ready by the start of next season.
Before coming to the Predators and having early success in his NHL career, he spent parts of three seasons grooming with the Milwaukee Admirals, scoring 35 goals and 89 points in 111 career AHL games. Drafted 11th overall in 2014, the 20-year old showed out at the 2015 World Junior Championships assuring the Predators made a solid selection, scoring four goals and five points in six games.
Main Photo:
