Flyers' Meszaros out 4 weeks
Thursday night's win over the Rangers cost them defenseman Andrej Meszaros, who went down with a left shoulder injury. He was re-evaluated by team doctors on Friday - and though the exact injury was not specified - Meszaros is expected to miss "about a month" or more.
Flyers' Meszaros out 4 weeks
Paul Holmgren does not believe the Flyers are snakebitten by injuries.
He would, however, like this whole “injury per game” streak to end sometime soon.
Thursday night's win over the Rangers cost them defenseman Andrej Meszaros, who went down with a left shoulder injury. He was re-evaluated by team doctors on Friday - and though the exact injury was not specified - Meszaros is expected to miss “about a month” or more.
“He’s going to miss some time here,” Holmgren said. “We’re hoping it’s about a 4-week rehabilitation of the injury. It’s a muscle injury in and around the shoulder joint. We just need to strengthen the area and we believe he’ll be out around a month.”
Meszaros left the game at the end of the second period, suffering the injury on a hit from Ryan Callahan on the last shift of the period.
With Meszaros out of the lineup, the Flyers re-called defenseman Andreas Lilja from AHL Adirondack.
Lilja, a veteran of 576 NHL games, will join the team in Florida. He is expected to be the extra, healthy defenseman, with Kurtis Foster re-joining the lineup. Bruno Gervais skated as the 6th man in Thursday’s first win of the season; Foster was a healthy scratch for the second game in a row.
Meszaros, 27, had surgery in the same shoulder on March 3, 2009, while with Tampa Bay, to repair a torn labrum. He was out of action for nearly 6 months, returning just in time for the start of the 2010-11 season with the Flyers. The Flyers acquired him in a trade on July 1, 2010, while he was still rehabbing.
“We’ve lost I believe three players, Rinaldo, Scott Hartnell and now Meszaros to significant injuries,” Holmgren said. “I’m not sure that we’re all that different from other teams in the league. We’ve just got to fight through it and take the approach that it’s opportunities for other players. We’ve got to deal with it on a day-to-day basis.”
SLAP SHOTS: Danny Briere remains a “50/50” shot to play this weekend in Florida ... Zac Rinaldo (leg laceration) is eligible to return to the lineup on Sunday in Tampa Bay ... The Flyers are still mulling surgery options with Scott Hartnell (fractured left big toe) ... The Flyers did not skate on Friday before boarding their charter flight to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Read more in Saturday’s SportsWeek, powered by the Daily News.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Ok, so this must mean that Ryan Callahan will be suspended right Shanny? Huh, didn't think so.— mike- You gotta wonder if having no training camp or playing exhbition games and starting the regular season in January, doesn't have the players off their games just a little. Whether it's the timing on blocking a shot or the angle of absorbing a hit along the boards...everything seems just a little off. That's how injuries happen.— Mark1npt
- I think based on the W yesterday, the Fly boys believe they can beat anyone, with just about any players. And I'd agree. It's more style than players I think, at least for now. Although I would like to have Mezz playing. I think we'll get a huge boost from Briere when he joins. He is a true pro, and he'll slink around and bang in a few rebounds. So we may be Ok. I look for the NYR to really be chapped when we play em in NYC in a few days though...that'll be a good test.— Poppys
- Not a good news. Meszaros was playing well especially Gervais. I wish Gus was healthy. I do not like Forster or Lilja.— Nitroglycerin
Who would've thought that the Flyers could be dead in the water already in a 48-game season??- Once Holmgren wakes from his nap, he may call free agent Colin White to address his defensive depth problems.— Claudio Vernight
- I live in Houston and have seen all 4 Flyers games so far. They're as exciting as ever. I hope they do well and make the playoffs.— stryke2
- Also have to wonder if Mez is feeling the effects of the achilles repair and realizing he can't hold up yet on the ice. This shoulder injury may be partially to give the achilles more time to strengthen as well.— Mark1npt
- This guy just cant stay healthy...too bad...huge test with 3 games on the road coming up...play like we did yesterday and we will get 2 of 3 and be alright..cant use injuries as excuse and I am sure the lack of training camp has a lot to do with the injuries and the style of play. Rangers looked awful and have in all 4 of their games....Its going to take a few weeks for players to get their legs and get in shape then it will be a race to the finish and much better hockey— flyers1000
