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Timonen's blood clots not all gone; future in question

BUFFALO _ Kimmo Timonen's blood clots have cleared from his lungs but not his legs, and it is still questionable whether the Flyers' veteran defenseman will be able to play again.

GM Ron Hextall relayed the doctor's medical report Saturday in Buffalo; he said Timonen was still optimistic about playing, but that a final decision probably will be made after a conference call Wednesday with multiple doctors.

"The biggest thing I want to know is risk _ is there a risk?  I'm not putting him at risk," Hextall said. "And I've talked to Kimmo, and I know he's not putting himself at risk. It's going to be the biggest hurdle, I guess, to try to figure out."

Timonen, 39, is still hopeful of returning, and Hextall said the defenseman had "guarded optimism."

"Kimmo wants to play. If everything checks out right and he wants to play, he can play," Hextall said. "….He's also got a decision to make, too. Even if there's no risk and he doesn't feel comfortable playing, then we'll live with that. If he really wants to play and everything from the doctor checks out, then we'll allow him to play."

Defenseman Mark Streit called it a "tough situation" for Timonen.

"I think first and foremost, his health is the most important thing," Streit said. "He has a family and has kids. The doctors and him will make a decision _ they'll consider everything and I'm sure they'll make the right one."

Streit said he can understand why it difficult for Timonen to leave the sport.

"I can feel for him because you play hockey your whole life  and it's a passion," Streit said. "You love the guys and the team, and then you go through something like that and it's hard....Hockey players are a special breed. You're a hockey player and you just want to play. That's what you do best, and that's the kind of guy he is."

Without Timonen, the Flyers' defesne has struggled.

"He's the piece that we've been missing," winger Jake Voracek said.

But if the Flyers continue to be far from the playoff race, is it worth it to bring Timonen back?

"That's a legitimate question, and that's one of the things that will certainly be discussed," Hextall said.

In other news, winger Matt Read has the flu and it will be a game-time decision on whether he plays Saturday night in Buffalo. Jason Akeson was recalled form the Phantoms in case Read can't play.

Brayden Schenn will go back to left wing on the top line, and Michael Raffl will move to center on another line.

Rob Zepp will get the start in the nets.

Buffalo has lost nine straight; the Flyers have lost two in a row, both on shutouts.

The Sabres are coming off a 7-0 loss to Minnesota.

"It's always dangerous. They're a hard-working team. I talked to our team about how hard they've got to work tonight," coach Craig Berube said. "...You have to go out and work against this team because they're going to work hard and they're going to be hungry, getting beat like that, they were embarrassed. It's going to be a tough game."

Berube staying. Hextall reiterated that Berube is not the reason for the Flyers' poor season and that he has no plans to replace him.

Top prospects. The Flyers were one of two teams that had three players on TSN's list of top 30 NHL-affiliated prospects. Travis Sanheim was No. 10, Sam Morin was No. 14, and Shayne Gostisbehere was No. 19. All are defensemen.

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull.