Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Posted: 12:16 p.m.Updated: 1:37 p.m.
By Sarah BaickerCSNPhilly.com
Five Flyers, including captain Mike Richards, will undergo off-season surgery, while three others will be evaluated this week for potential surgical needs.
Richards (torn wrist ligament), Blair Betts (finger), Andrej Meszaros (wrist), Kris Versteeg (stomach muscle wall) and Michael Leighton (hip) are all scheduled to have their injuries repaired surgically in the coming weeks.
Richards' injury could explain what was generally considered a disappointing postseason performance. According to a tweet, he will undergo surgery Wednesday.
Mikes dealt with this wrist injury since training camp, general manager Paul Holmgren said. It hasnt kept him out of the lineup, but I think it has affected him in his play. Its affected his performance in the face-off circle.
Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter will meet with specialists on Friday to determine whether they will require hip surgery. Chris Pronger was scheduled to be evaluated by doctors Tuesday to address the hip and back issues that kept him from playing three of the four games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Bruins.
Though the Flyers are still unsure as to the exact issue thats plaguing Pronger (Holmgren said only that it caused some diminished leg strength), the Flyers' GM said nothing about the issue caused him to worry about whether Pronger could be in danger of missing time next season.
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Well get to the bottom of this eventually, Holmgren said. But none of the information I have so far has been cause for concern for next year.
While the injury list at first appears rather lengthy, Holmgren wasnt concerned.
We seem to have a laundry list like this every year, he said.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com
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