Fischer Out 4-6 Months

Jiri Fischer, the Red Wings’ highly-touted young defenseman, will be out for four to six months with a torn knee ligament.

Fischer was injured late in Detroit’s 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators Tuesday night. Tests on Wednesday morning revealed the extent of the injury.

The twenty-two year-old Fischer is coming off a career year. He scored two goals and added eight assists in eighty games last season along with three goals and three assists in twenty-two playoff games. Fischer spent most of the season paired with Norris Trophy runner-up Chris Chelios.

The Red Wings are already without center and captain Steve Yzerman, whose off-season knee surgery will keep him out of action until early 2003.

Fischer’s return could come as the start of the playoffs in mid-April.