UNIONDALE, N.J., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The New York Islanders announced Saturday that center Frans Nielsen will be out up to three months with multiple leg injuries.
He was injured in the third period of the Islanders' contest against the New Jersey Devils Friday night when he was on the receiving end of an open-ice hit by Devils defenseman Mike Mottau.
"I know it was to the head," Coach Bill Guerin told New York Newsday after the contest. "It's easy to see. I came in and I watched it on video just to make sure I wasn't speaking out of line. I know Mike Mottau. He's not a dirty player, but it was a dirty hit."
Nielsen, a third-round pick by the Islanders in the 2002 NHL draft, has two goals with seven assists in 19 games this season.
The center, who was helped off the ice after being attended to for several minutes, is expected to be out 8-12 weeks.
Late Saturday, the league suspended Mottau two games for elbowing.
