Flyers D Kimmo Timonen's future still uncertain after blood clots
In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen offered a status update on his health after blood clots were discovered in his leg and lungs in early August. Timonen hopes to be able to avoid retirement for now, but when he can return to action, if at all, remains to be seen.
According to Timonen, it is likely to take months before he'll know if he’ll be able to play again.
“My desire is, I want to play,” Timonen said while addressing the media. “The chance of me playing is really slim. That’s the fact, but I’m ready to wait to see if I still have those clots.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of doctors and there’s different opinions. I have a blood disorder in my family. My desire is to play, but I have to listen to doctors and see what’s safe here.”
General manager Ron Hextall said the Flyers will be waiting right along with Timonen.
“We’re concerned about Kimmo, his health and his family first,” said Hextall. “Hockey is second. We would never put him in danger. If he feels he is capable of playing, we will certainly welcome him back later in the year.”
Timonen said that he can do everything but play contact sports at this point. He can do full workouts and run, but won’t skate for a while and can’t get hit until the clots clear up. Timonen is also likely to have to remain on blood thinners for the rest of his life.
The good news is that Timonen doesn’t have to make a decision about his career yet, but these next few months are going to be tense as he waits to find out if he can return. The 39-year-old also said that regardless of what happens, this season will be his last in the NHL.
Losing Timonen for a length of time is going to definitely hurt the depth of the Flyers’ defensive corps. Timonen put up 35 points last season and averaged 20:20 of ice time per game. He is a key defender and his experience will definitely be missed.
The Flyers did bring in Michael Del Zotto in the offseason as a free agent to help get a little more depth on the blue line, but losing Timonen’s minutes is certainly not ideal.
Hopefully the veteran of 15 NHL seasons can go out on his own terms, but more than anything else, hopefully Timonen is able to make the right decision for his long-term health and wellbeing.
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