Timonen, older players hurt most by lockout
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Timonen, older players hurt most by lockout
One has to admire Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen. He is in the final season of a six-year $38 million deal, the odometer on his hockey career is ticking away and yet during these early stages of the lockout, he continues to be a team player.
After nine players worked out on Wednesday at the Skate Zone, including eight affiliated with either the Flyers or Phantoms, Timonen talked about the lockout, which reached its fourth day.
“It’s not just for us but for the future,” Timonen said. “Seven years ago we missed a year and we pretty much lost that time.”
Timonen said that this time the players appeared more engaged in the issues.
“I feel we are more educated this time and know what is going on,” he said. “Hopefully they can get together and get the deal done.”
Timonen wouldn’t say he would go play in Europe as he did the previous lockout if this one is extended. Yet he didn’t rule it out either.
At 37, he said he understands that his hockey playing days won’t go on forever.
He even suggested that this could be his last season playing hockey if there is a long lockout or no season at all. Timonen then expanded on the issue.
“I feel like I am in great shape, but to be honest if this thing drags on another two or three months who knows, I might lose my motivation and we will see what happens after,” he said.
The lockout affects different players in different ways, but the older ones are hurt the most.
Still, it’s early and for now everybody is sticking together, but one can sense the frustration.
Defenseman Nick Grossmann was asked if the lockout was long if he considered playing this year in his native Sweden.
“If it gets to that you want to play hockey,” Grossmann said. “It gets old practicing, whatever time it will be. If it takes a long time, I may have to go home.”
Forward Matt Read was one player trying to put a positive spin on things.
“You know what is going on, and what is going on in the media may not be happening behind the scenes,” Read said.
Really?
Read spoke after Wednesday morning’s workout. In the afternoon the NHL announced the cancellation of the 2012 preseason schedule through Sept. 30, along with the Oct. 3 preseason game in Belleville, Ontario.
And not all the Flyers are being patient. Published reports say that the long-rumored signing of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to play in Russia’s KHL has taken place.
More undoubtedly will follow if this lockout drags on.
Regardless of what the players say about sticking together, and they may be as unified as ever, the frustration level is already high. That’s because even now, the players are trying to keep themselves motivated for a season that they wonder will ever take place.
I'm betting we've seen the last of Teemu Selanne, which is a shame. Was looking forward to seeing him play for one more year.
I think maybe a year off might rejuvenate Timonen. He takes a pounding game in and game out and it takes longer to heal the older a player gets.
I sure as heck won't be buying anything further from shop.nhl.com. I will continue to pay for NHL Center Ice and for the iPhone app, but no more fan gear directly from the NHL.— backhand- Bryz signed with the KHL? Does that mean he can't come back if the lockout ends? That he has to stay in Russia for the whole season? Please say yes...— backhand
Sam there's another aspect to this. Kimmo sure looked beat up in last year's playoffs. Considering his age, it could be a bonus for him to miss 20 games or so...It would help him finish stronger and be more ready for the post season.
You idiots! COME TO AN AGREEMENT NOW!!!!! Such foolishness.— Truth B. Told- Might have seen the end of Jagr as well, although he could come back for a partial season.
Just like the 04 lockout, it will result in a lot of the older players not returning. Maybe that will open up some cap space for the Flyers -- between buyouts, injury waivers and the like, they should be able to get under the cap quickly.— General Turgidson - Donald Fehr is the main problem. He has a reputation to protect. He must get the final deal on the players side of the 57/49% cavern or he will be seen as a failure who was beaten by ownership.
This is going to be a long lockout.
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— Quixote II - I wish I earned 50% of my employers revenue. Sh*t I'd be tickled with 37%!— Jjrjr16
- Bettman is a sad excuse for a league commissioner.
