Kimmo Timonen’s career may be done due to blood clots
Kimmo Timonen signed a 1-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this summer, as the 39-year-old defenseman and all-around class act may have been in his NHL swan song.
Alas, it appears he may never get a victory tour.
The Flyers announced on Tuesday that Timonen has been diagnosed with blood clots in his lower right leg and in both lungs.
He’s being treated back in Finland. Whether or not he plays this season “is yet to be determined.”
This isn’t his first time dealing with blood clots. He had them in his legs before the Flyers’ 2008 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference playoffs, missing the series.
According to Tim Panaccio, GM Ron Hextall sees the injury for Timonen as “long term” and will add a veteran to the Flyers’ D-crops via signing or trade. (Hello, Michael Del Zotto…)
Without Timomen, the Flyers’ defense will feature Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Braydon Colburn, Nick Grossmann, Luke Schenn and Nick Schultz. Which isn’t exactly a collection of names you’d expect to see on the Stanley Cup next summer.
The Flyers’ fate aside, it’s a bummer to hear that Timonen might be at the end of his career, after a 2013-14 resurgence -- skating 20:20, with 35 points in 77 games and a possession monster -- earned him another 1-year deal in Philly.
He’s a pro in every sense of the word; his absence off the ice will be felt as much as the hole he leaves in the Flyers’ lineup.
