Just like GM’s around the league are collectively holding their breath hoping their players don’t injured playing for their respective countries during the Olympic hockey tournament, the same can be said about the countries themselves before the NHL schedule breaks for Sochi.
Winter Olympics 2014: Valtteri Filppula out for Finland with broken ankle
Just two days before the NHL schedule halts for the Olympics, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced Valtteri Filppula will miss three weeks with an ankle injury.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Now add Team Finland to the list of participants that will be down an injured skater.
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced forward Valtteri Filppula will miss three weeks after suffering a fracture in his right ankle.
Filppula will be out three weeks and will miss Olympics. #TBLightning
— Missy Zielinski (@Missy_Zielinski) February 7, 2014 Filppula has had a strong season for Tampa Bay, posting 20 goals and 21 assists in 56 games. Finland was already short on offensive firepower, with Olli Jokinen, Tuomo Ruutu, and Lauri Korpikoski the only other NHL forwards on the roster with 15-plus goals this season.
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