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Flyers Notes: Final decision on Timonen coming soon

When discussing Kimmo Timonen's health and his possible return, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall seemed more upbeat Wednesday than at any time since it was announced that the veteran defenseman had blood clots.

Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

When discussing Kimmo Timonen's health and his possible return, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall seemed more upbeat Wednesday than at any time since it was announced that the veteran defenseman had blood clots.

Hextall, for the first time, even talked about salary-cap implications if the 39-year-old Timonen returns.

"We'll have to make a move if Kimmo comes back," he said.

Timonen's blood clots cleared from his lungs but not his legs, Hextall said on Jan. 17. He has missed the entire season.

Hextall said Wednesday that the Flyers' place in the standings when/if Timonen is ready to play would affect the decision on whether he returns.

"That's going to come into play, for sure," said Hextall, adding he would have "something definitive" about Timonen's situation in a few days.

"Things are moving along," Hextall said. ". . . There's a process . . . with a number of things - getting doctors together, and trainers, and Kimmo. There's a lot of different avenues we have to explore here and dot all the i's and cross all the t's. It's gone a little slower than I maybe would have hoped. He's still on [a blood-thinner] medication for a few more days, so there's a little bit of time."

The Flyers have about $1.5 million in available cap space, according to nhlnumbers.com, and Hextall acknowledged that the team would have to make a roster move to make Timonen ($2 million cap hit) fit under the cap.

"That's space that we've used all year for call-ups," Hextall said about Timonen's being on the long-term-injured list this season, thereby freeing cap room.

Earlier this month, Hextall said, "I'm not putting him at risk. 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 has said that if doctors give him the go-ahead, he wants to play.

"I want to retire with my skates on, not my shoes," he said recently.

Hextall also said that center Scott Laughton (suspected concussion) skated before practice Wednesday and was making progress, and that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (partially torn ACL) was on schedule to play for the Phantoms late next month.

Defenseman Braydon Coburn, who is wearing a boot on his injured left foot, is still unable to skate, Hextall said.

Breakaways

Goalie Rob Zepp (3-1, 2.92 GAA, .889 save percentage) was sent to the Phantoms, so Ray Emery (8-9-1, 3.38, .887) will remain as the backup goalie. . . . Burly defenseman Nick Grossmann, who missed the last eight games because of an injured right shoulder, took part in a full practice, but coach Craig Berube said he would not be ready for Thursday. Saturday is the earliest he could return. "He's one of those underrated guys who, for a goaltender in particular, is invaluable. He blocks shots almost more than the goalies do," Steve Mason said.