Sports: Modin wrist fixed; he's out 4-6 weeks

Modin wrist fixed; he's out 4-6 weeks

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer

TAMPA -- Forward Fredrik Modin will miss at least 4-6 weeks after successful arthroscopic surgery Tuesday to repair torn cartilage in his right wrist.

That's especially bad news for Tampa Bay's struggling offense, which also is without leading scorer Martin St. Louis (broken leg) for the season and Vinny Lecavalier (ankle) indefinitely.

Modin, the team's third-leading scorer with 14 goals and 16 assists, missed seven games before the Olympic break. The injury initially was diagnosed as a bone contusion.

The surgery was performed by wrist specialist Gary Poehling at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina. Modin will wear a splint for one week.

IRONMAN SITS: Even Nikolai Khabibulin gets tired.

The goaltender, who played in 50 of Tampa Bay's first 58 games with little evidence of fatigue, rested Tuesday after playing six games in nine days at the Olympics for Russia's bronze-medal team. He was worn out emotionally and physically.

"There certainly was a lot of emotion," Khabibulin said of the pressure playing for his country in the single-elimination medal rounds. "It was like playing three Game 7s in a matter of days. The last three games all meant something, and it takes a little bit out of you."

Khabibulin returned Sunday night from Salt Lake City and met Monday morning with coach John Tortorella. Though the conversation was to discuss Khabibulin's Olympic experience, Tortorella sensed his goaltender could use a rest.

"He was everything for Russia," Tortorella said. "He played six games in nine days. If he had grabbed us by the scruff of the collar and said, "I want to play,' we probably would have played him. But he didn't."

THUMBS UP: Detroit wing Brendan Shanahan did not seem hampered Tuesday night by his right thumb, which was broken while playing for Canada's gold-medal team in the Olympics.

Shanahan, who shoots left-handed, took one on-target slap shot and made several crisp passes in the first period. The break is near the end of his thumb.

"I can't really grip my stick with my right hand," said Shanahan, the Red Wings' leading scorer. "Certain shots I can get off, but others I lose some control."

FORE!: A few spots remain for the Tampa Bay Lightning Celebrity Golf Classic at Saddlebrook Resort on Monday. Each group will include at least one player, coach or broadcaster. Cost is $400 per player, with proceeds benefitting the Moffitt Cancer Center.

SLAP SHOTS: LW Gordie Dwyer dislocated his left shoulder in the first period and did not return. ... D Grant Ledyard was a healthy scratch. ... Detroit C Steve Yzerman (knee) will miss at least two weeks.