Tennessean reporter Nick Cole, filling in for Josh Cooper this morning, brought us the unfortunate news from the Predators’ morning skate:
Preds skate update: No Hornqvist or Forsberg this morning. Both out with upper-body injuries.
— Nick Cole (@ncole6) November 25, 2013
Trotz said he is hopeful to have Hornqvist back at some point over four game/six day stretch.
— Nick Cole (@ncole6) November 25, 2013
Hornqvist was injured in the first period Saturday night vs the New York Rangers, when a Mike Fisher slap shot caught him in the upper body as he worked in front of the net. For a team lacking in consistent goal-scoring, Hornqvist’s absence will present an additional challenge as the Preds try to make up ground on the playoff contenders above them in the standings.
With both Hornqvist and Filip Forsberg out, the right side of Nashville’s forwards lines will likely feature Viktor Stalberg, Craig Smith, Eric Nystrom and Matt Hendricks. No moves have yet been made to either place Hornqvist or Forsberg on Injured Reserve (which requires a week out of the lineup), or call someone up from Milwaukee.