Carolina RW Nestrasil out for season with broken vertebra

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes right winger Andrej Nestrasil will miss the rest of the season with a broken vertebra. General manager Ron Francis said

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Carolina Hurricanes right winger Andrej Nestrasil will miss the rest of the season with a broken vertebra.

General manager Ron Francis said Tuesday that Nestrasil broke the vertebra Feb. 25 in a loss at Toronto, but not provide details of the injury. He fell awkwardly into the boards after a hit.

He had nine goals and 14 assists while playing in 55 games this season, his second in the NHL.

The injury leaves Carolina further short-handed heading into the final 1 1/2 months of the season. The Hurricanes traded three skaters - including captain Eric Staal and forward Kris Versteeg - before Monday's trade deadline.