AZ Republic - KNEE INJURY ENDS SEASON FOR NASH

KNEE INJURY ENDS SEASON FOR NASH

David Vest
Apr. 11, 2006
© The Arizona Republic

Left wing Tyson Nash's season is over.

General Manager Mike Barnett said Monday night Nash likely would undergo surgery to correct a bone defect in his right knee and miss the last four games.

Meanwhile, left wing Ladislav Nagy, already out for the season, underwent surgery on Monday for a minor meniscus tear in his left knee. The procedure was performed in the Valley, and Barnett said it would not disrupt Nagy's rehabilitation from the season-ending surgery on his right knee in February.

Nash left Saturday's game vs. Dallas because of a thigh bruise. After examining Nash for that, team doctors decided to check out Nash's knee because it had been bothering him for a while and found the defect.

Nash, who did not play Monday, plans to seek a second opinion before undergoing surgery, which Barnett said would be very similar to the operation that ended Nagy's season.

If he has surgery, Nash, 31, would be facing three to four months of rehabilitation.

Center Oleg Kvasha also is out for the season because of a knee injury, but he is not facing surgery.

Scatchard almost ready

Center Dave Scatchard, who has been battling a bronchial infection for a few weeks, likely will play again before the season ends Sunday.

"Today is the best I've felt in two or three weeks," Scatchard said after Monday's morning skate. "The training staff just wants to make sure I have my strength and I'm not vulnerable out there, but I feel like I'm almost back to 100 percent."

Ice chips

The Coyotes presented center Geoff Sanderson with a commemorative stick and a trip to Hawaii before the game in honor of Sanderson playing in his 1,000th regular-season NHL game on Saturday night.

* The Hanson Brothers from the movie Slap Shot appeared at the game and signed autographs.

Tonight's game

Coyotes at Avalanche

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Pepsi Center, Denver.

TV/Radio: FSNAZ/KDUS-AM (1060).

Avalanche update: Colorado entered Monday's games in sixth place in the Western Conference standings with four games to go. G Jose Theodore is expected to make his first start for the Avalanche since being acquired from Montreal on March 8. Theodore, who fractured a heel earlier this season, made his Colorado debut Sunday and gave up three goals on 19 shots in relief of Peter Budaj. Points leader Joe Sakic has registered at least one point in 13 straight games, one game short of his top point streak. The Avalanche have alternated wins and losses in the past 11 games. If the pattern holds, Colorado will win tonight.