Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik is continuing his recovery after his neck had been slashed by a team-mate's skate.

Officials at Buffalo General Hospital said the 32-year-old Slovak was in good condition and had been moved out of intensive care into a private room.

Zednik, who was described as stable on Monday, needed emergency surgery after being slashed across the neck by the skate of Olli Jokinen in Sunday's 5-3 defeat at the Buffalo Sabres.

Sonya Noor, the attending surgeon, said there appeared to be no nerve, neck or brain damage.

"This was a remarkable injury in that the common carotid artery was severed almost completely in half but nothing else was really injured by this skate blade that went through his neck like a knife," said assistant surgeon Richard Curl.

It is hoped Zednik will be able to continue his career. Provided there are no complications, the player should be able to start physical activity within six weeks.

The Panthers said Zednik, who had scored six goals in four outings before Sunday's game, had received more than 14,000 get-well wishes since the incident.

Reuters