Doctors upgrade Zednik’s condition to good

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Upon hearing Richard Zednik’s recovery from a life-threatening neck laceration could last six to eight weeks, Olli Jokinen checked his calendar.

That would be playoff time in the NHL.

Suddenly, the Florida Panthers have a huge source of postseason motivation.

Zednik continued what some termed a remarkable recovery Tuesday, when his condition was upgraded to good and he was moved out of the intensive care unit at Buffalo General Hospital. That was just two days after Jokinen’s razor-sharp skate blade sliced the 32-year-old forward’s neck, cutting his carotid artery and stopping just shy of his jugular vein.

As Zednik recovers, so do the Panthers, who returned to the ice Tuesday, albeit still somber and shaken, yet somewhat uplifted by the continued good reports about their teammate.

“We’ve got 24 games to go,” Jokinen said. “If we do our jobs, there is a possibility Richard’s going to play with us and join the team in the playoffs. The doctors say six to eight weeks … there’s a possibility he could play this year. So every game now, it’s going to be big, big for us.”

Zednik playing again this season is a real long shot. Doctors in Buffalo have already told him next year is the realistic return target, and on Tuesday, Dr. Sonya Noor – who operated on the forward Sunday night – said she’s recommending he not resume strenuous activity for three months.