Nylander breaks neck in AHL; coach wonders if his career is done

Michael Nylander was loaned to the Rochester Americans by the Washington Capitals, giving the 38-year-old center one more shot at returning to the NHL while in the Florida Panthers' organization. The AHL Amerks needed a No. 1 center, and he fit that role, with six points in his first seven games with the team. Alas, those will be the only seven games he'll play this season for Rochester, if the diagnosis is correct. He's scheduled for surgery on Monday to repair an injured vertebra in his neck, which was damaged on a hit to the boards during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins. He's expected to miss the season, and according to the Democrat and Chronicle, his coach fears it's the end of his career as well: "He'll definitely have to do some soul-searching when he has recovered," Amerks coach Chuck Weber said. "The little bit I do know him, I don't think this is the way he'll want to go out."Nylander was injured whe...