By now, the talk of Kevin Fiala’s injury during the Switzerland-Canada game on Friday evening has become a major topic. Fiala’s entanglement with Team Canada forward Tom Wilson sent the two Olympians to the ice in an awkward collision.
While Wilson has borne the brunt of criticism, it was actually Fiala who lined up Wilson for the hit. Unfortunately, the play unfolded terribly. Fiala left the ice on a stretcher amid the gaze of stunned fans at the Santagiulia Arena.
Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Fiala will be out for the remainder of the Olympics. While it’s quite evident that the injury is of a lower-body nature, it’s unclear what the precise ailment could be.
That’s where medical expert, Dr. Harjas Grewal, weighed in. The notable physician offered his opinion on the Fiala injury, stating that the Swiss player could have sustained a hip dislocation.
If Grewal’s opinion proves correct, this injury could be a long-term issue for the LA Kings’ forward. Treatment could involve surgery, with a months-long prognosis for recovery.
The worst-case scenario would likely mean Fiala will miss the remainder of the NHL season. Whether he’ll be ready for the start of next season will also be up in the air. The hope is that Fiala’s injury is not nearly as serious as Grewal believes.
In this case, the best thing that could happen is that Dr. Grewal gets it wrong.
Fiala Injury a Cautionary Tale for NHLers at Olympics
NHL players’ participation at the Olympics was a major issue for the NHLPA. In the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman pointed out how NHL players fought for the right to participate in the Olympics as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations.
That situation included gritting through injuries, despite whatever NHL clubs feared. That fear is precisely what came to fruition with the Fiala injury.
The worst part is that it isn’t even the first injury of the tournament. Team Canada lost defenseman Josh Morrissey in the first game against Czechia. While Morrissey’s injury isn’t nearly as serious as Fiala’s, it’s the type of thing that NHL clubs lose sleep over.
NHL Teams Won’t Sleep Well until Olympics Are Over
The Fiala injury will be something that teams can point to and use as a warning on what could happen at tournaments like the Olympics. That’s why every NHL club will not be able to sleep well until every player is back with his respective team.
This is serious business. The loss of a key player like Fiala is something that NHL clubs dread. Of course, the LA Kings will soldier on without Fiala. But that’s a situation that could seriously compromise the Kings’ chances of making the postseason.
Hopefully, the Fiala injury won’t be nearly as serious as it could be. The last thing anyone wants is to see players hurt. But this situation will call the physical nature of the Olympics into question. It wouldn’t be a surprise to hear calls for players to tone it down in international competition.
That prospect, however, has zero chance of becoming a reality. Teams are fighting to the death for a shot at Olympic glory.
Fiala Injury Potentially Devastating, Medical Expert Weighs In