Kimmo Timonen -- the bedrock of the Flyers' constantly shifting defense -- will be out for a period of months as he continues to recover from a diagnosis of multiple blood clots.
In a Thursday afternoon press conference, Flyers GM Ron Hextall revealed that the condition of his veteran blueliner is such that an assessment of Timonen's readiness to return to the ice won't occur until the turn of the new calendar year.
"Kimmo will not play for a period of time here, meaning months. First and foremost we're concerned about him and his family," Hextall stated. "We really don't have any definitive answers. The one definitive we have is that Kimmo will not play ... for many months."
Timonen had been diagnosed with blood clots in his lower right leg and both lungs in his native Finland back in early August, a setback which put his career in jeopardy.
The 39-year-old veteran signed a one-year contract extension in June to stay with the Flyers for an eighth season. Now, it appears likely that won't come to pass, although Timonen is not completely given over to the possibility that he's finished.
"My desire is ... obviously I want to play. But the chance of me playing is really slim. That's a fact," Timonen stated. "I'm ready to wait, and if there's a chance and a safe way for me to step on the ice, then we have a discussion. But we don't know yet."
Timonen has 232 assists and 270 points with the Flyers -- ranking him third all-time among Philadelphia defensemen in both stats. He has 117 goals and 454 assists for 571 points in 1,092 career games with the Flyers and Nashville Predators.
In 77 games last season, Timonen posted six goals with 29 assists for 35 points. Heading into this season, only Brayden Coburn can boast a longer tenure of service with the Orange and Black, having arrived via Atlanta during the disastrous 2006-07 season. His strength and constancy has not gone unnoticed by those whom he's served.
"This guy wants to play hockey so bad. It’s a testament to truly how much heart he’s got as an athlete. I admire him an awful lot," added Hextall, who made his career on heart and desire as much as skill. "I admire him for his passion, his will to play hockey and the professional that he is. It will be a tough time for our hockey team at first. What we'll miss the most is his professionalism."
Like Chris Pronger before him, Timonen sat next to Hextall, in front of the cameras and projected a calm confidence despite the odds. However, it was clear during the 15-minute salvo that the writing was all over the wall behind him. This is it. Yet, the 2014 Bronze medalist has earned the stripes to call his shot on the day it's clear to him that it's over.
Still, hope is a tricky thing when shaded with medical uncertainty. An athlete's best investment is how he projects both confidence and health to fuel his performance. The most crushing aspect of what Timonen said, was that he has a clotting disorder within his own family, an outcome which doesn't usually permit a positive outlook for series athletic endeavors.
Yes, half a season is better than none, but when you're weighing the benefits of playing against the benefits of life, the answer is usually quite clear.
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