Timonen continues comeback; Flyers re-sign Schultz
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, sidelined all season by blood clots, had his first full practice with the team Wednesday as he continued his comeback.
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen, sidelined all season by blood clots, had his first full practice with the team Wednesday as he continued his comeback.
"He had a good partner who made it easy for him," cracked Carlo Colaiacovo who was paired with Timonen at the Flyers' practice facility in Voorhees.
Timonen, 39, did not have much contact, but was involved in some pushing and shoving with his teammates. Timonen skated with a few teammates after the practice ended.
"It was good getting a good practice in, to be a part of the boys, and have a really hard skate at the end," Timoenn said.
On Tuesday, Timonen said he was hoping to play in seven to 10 days. He didn't rule out returning Tuesday in Carolina, but made it sound like a long shot.
"I feel good, but we'll see tomorrow," he said. "That was a heavy skate, so if I'm really sore tomorrow, that's a sign it's still going to take time. But if I feel good tomorrow, it's going the right way."
Is Tuesday a possibility?
"We'll see. But I'd rather be in good shape and feel confident than go in there and not be 100 percent in my mind," he said. "I need to feel 100 percent. This weekend is off, that's for sure. But once I get more of those three-on-twos, two-on-twos, one-on-ones like today and I start feeling confident with the puck and guys going at you, then it's a game."
Timonen said he would probably make the road trip that starts Tuesday, but that "we haven't talked about it" yet.
Asked if he thought a tune-up game with the AH Phantoms would be beneficial, Timonen said, "That's not an option….I don't feel like going down there. We all know anything can happen in a game, and what happens if I get hurt? There goes my dream, so what's the point?"
Schultz signs. The Flyers announced they had signed defenseman Nick Schultz to a multi-year extension. He reportedly got two years for $2.25 million per season, which seems like a fair deal for both sides.
Schultz, 32, has been arguably the Flyers' top defesneman this season. He has 13 points and is plus-6.
Desjardins ceremony. Eric Desjardins will be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame at 7 p.m. ceremonies Thursday before the Flyers host Buffalo at 8 p.m.
"It's a great honor," said Desjardins, who is part-owner of three spas in Canada and is involved in several business ventures. "I was surprised a little bit when I got the call. For me, it's a nice closure of my career. It means I did a pretty good for the time I was in Philly."
Desjardins said it would be a "great night, an emotional night."
Desjardins is arguably the second-best defenseman in Flyers history for players who spent a large part of their career with the team, behind only Mark Howe.
Some think Jimmy Watson is the second-best. For some reason, Watson is not in the Flyers' Hall.
Timonen, of course, will be in the team's Hall of Fame down the road.
Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.
