Zednik to be discharged within 48 hours

Feb 14, 2008 - 6:50 PM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - Florida Panthers left wing Richard Zednik is likely to be discharged from hospital in the next 48 hours, according to his attending surgeon.

Sonya Noor, M.D., released a statement Thursday saying that Zednik continues to improve and "should be discharged sometime over the next 48 hours."

Noor revealed that Zednik is in good spirits, four days after he underwent emergency surgery at Buffalo General Hospital after getting cut in the neck by the skate blade of teammate Olli Jokinen during Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

"He asked if he could eat Buffalo chicken wings yesterday - so we let him," Noor said.

Zednik was moved out of the intensive care unit to a private room on Tuesday.

Zednik had his carotid artery nearly severed in the accident, which was described as life-threatening.

Doctors are optimistic that Zednik will make a full recovery and possibly resume his career as early as next season.

Noor said Monday that because Zednik received a "clean" cut, there were minimal complications during the surgery. She estimated that he would be able to resume normal activity in six to eight weeks.

The play brought back uncomfortable memories of when then-Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk had his jugular sliced in a 1989 game against the St. Louis Blues.

Zednik has 15 goals, 11 assists and 43 penalty minutes in 54 games this season.

Zednik has collected 183 goals and 346 points in 675 career games with Washington, Montreal, the New York Islanders and Panthers. He also represented his native Slovakia in the 2006 Winter Olympics, scoring one goal in six contests.