Nielsen Out 2-4 Weeks

Per Arthur Staple, "One last bit of Isles news: Frans Nielsen suffered a broken hand on slash from Avs D Erik Johnson on Saturday. Non-displaced fracture..."

"So Nielsen may be able to play 2/27. More likely he'll miss the first week of Isles games after Olympic break."

Frans Nielsen's hand was broken on Saturday night when Johnson's two-handed slash found its mark late in the third period.  The lingering effects of the slash was enough to force Nielsen to remain on the bench for the rest of the game.

 

Staple adds, "According to Islanders GM Garth Snow, Nielsen may be out a month -- which, given the current break, would mean missing perhaps 4-5 games once the team reconvenes."

 

Johnson was given a two-game suspension by phone Tuesday for the infraction.

 

Per Butch Goring, "Franz Nielsen could be out with hand injury for 4 to 6 weeks, 2 game suspension for Erik Johnson hardly seems fair."