Predators' GM Poile has third surgery; expected to return to duties soon

How unlucky is it to be David Poile?  Well, with the odds of being struck by a rouge puck square in the face while standing in the relative safety of a tunnel leading to the dressing room being about a gazillion-to-one, that's pretty unlucky.

Some may say he's fortunate that the puck nailed him just above the eye, sparing his vision - but having to endure three surgeries that prevented him from overseeing a Team USA roster that he built from the ground up as General Manager for the squad has to be disheartening, though his charges are one win away from the medal round at the Sochi Olympics.

Poile is expected to resume his duties as the General Manager for the NHL's Nashville Predators at around the same time next week that their post-Olympic schedule commences with an absolutely brutal stretch run that includes seventeen current playoff seed holders in 23 games...

...starting with five straight at home but followed by 12 of 18 on the road, with no more than two in a row at home in that span.  Winners of just two games in the last seven, the hard-luck Preds have just 60 points but sit only four points out of the eighth and final seed in Western Conference.

As for Poile, he issued a statement released by the team on Tuesday at the same time that it was revealed that he had undergone a third procedure:

"I know that I have a challenging road ahead, but am going to embrace the challenge and am eager to get back to work. Thank you, in particular to the medical teams at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., and Vanderbilt Medical Center here in Nashville for the outstanding care and attention I have received and continue to receive. Thanks also to all those in Nashville and throughout the hockey community who have reached out to offer support and encouragement. It has been uplifting and most appreciated. I'm looking forward to watching USA's quest for the Gold Medal in Sochi and the Predators resuming the playoff race."

At the time of the injury, it was reported by several media outlets that Poile had suffered a fracture orbital bone and fractures to his nose.  The incident with the rouge puck occurred during a morning skate in preparation for his Predators' game against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul.

He was taken immediately to the hospital where he went under the knife twice, and has been wearing a patch over his eye.  The third procedure was designed for "Further evaluation of his injury" according to the statement, "while remaining under observation as the medical team continues to assess his recovery."

Sounds like if he comes out of this without any vision issues, he will be very lucky indeed.