Yesterday, Ron Hextall mentioned that he anticipated an update coming in the next couple of days regarding Kimmo Timonen’s status and potential availability for the remainder of this season. The people who were there seemed to interpret it as a sign that Timonen — who, of course, has been sidelined with blood clots in his leg and lungs — was, in fact, likely to return this year.
Then, before tonight’s game against Winnipeg, Craig Berube apparently told the media the following:
GM Ron Hextall hinted yesterday positive news coming on Timonen. Berube said pre-game to reporters he will return this season
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) January 29, 2015
Some more of Berube’s words, via CSN Philly:
“I’m excited for him to be healthy and also excited for him to be coming back,” Berube said. “He’s been a good player for this hockey team and this organization for a while.”
Timonen has been on long-term injured reserve all season with blood clots.
He made it clear weeks ago he wants to play out the remainder of the Flyers‘ season, regardless of their position in the standings or whether they are a playoff team.
“It’ll definitely be a big boost,” Berube said.
Berube mentions in that piece that they don’t know how long it would take Timonen to get in shape and be ready to play in actual games, but either way, it is fantastic news that Kimmo, with all that he’s been through, would be able to come back and play for the Flyers this …
… hang on a second.
Hextall says “no definitive decision” on Timonen “yet” but should know this weekend. He’s not sure where Berube got his information
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchCSN) January 29, 2015
Well, there’s your word from the general manager: it sounds like we’ll know for sure pretty soon, but Ron Hextall is unwilling to commit to saying that Timonen will be ready to play just yet. Maybe he means that. Maybe he knows Timonen will play but doesn’t want it out there yet for whatever reason, and Berube just spilled the beans a little early. I don’t know.
But couple what we’d been hearing for the past couple of days with what Berube did say, and it sure does seem likely that Timonen just might be playing for the Flyers this season after all, doesn’t it?
Stay tuned.
