4:00 PM
- Frank Seravalli: Kimmo Timonen is resting in Finland right now and not allowed to travel for two to three weeks. Once he’s able too, he head to Philadlephia to meet with Flyers doctors.
- Sam Carchidi: GM Ron Hextall said that he’d rather bring in a veteran than give a regular shift to a young defenseman. Hextall thinks Timonen will be out “long-term.”
- Dave Issac of the Courier-Post: Timonen is expected to be released from the hospital tomorrow. Hextall:
“This could be a long-term thing and we have to prepare as an organization as if it is a long-term thing,” Hextall said. “Can he play at some point next season? I don’t have the answer to that.
“First and foremost, we’re worried about Kimmo Timonen the person, not Kimmo Timonen the hockey player.”
The Flyers have seven defensemen on one-way contracts: Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossmann, Nick Schultz and Oliver Lauridsen. They have rookies like Shayne Gostisbehere, Samuel Morin or Robert Hagg, but Hextall is not comfortable with the young defensemen.
“If I had my choice, yes, I don’t want to throw a kid into a situation he’s not ready for,” Hextall said. “The way to protect yourself is to add a veteran, if possible.”
2:35 PM
- NHL.com: Statement from Flyers GM Ron Hextall on defenseman Kimmo Timonen.
“Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen has been diagnosed with blood clots in his lower right leg and in both lungs,” Hextall said. “Kimmo is currently being treated for this disorder back in his home country of Finland. His return to play is yet to be determined.”
- David Strehle: Timonen had a blood clot in his left ankle that sidelined him for the 2008 postseason. He suffered it after he blocked a shot from Andrei Markov.
- Sarah Baicker: Hextall will be updating the media in a bit.
- Dan Rosen: There are lots of moving parts for the Flyers, but if they would have to put Timonen on the LTIR, some intriguing UFA defensemen include Michael Del Zotto, Jamie McBain and Raphael Diaz.
