Voracek may return Thurs.; Jagr is doubtful

Jakub Voracek and Jaromir Jagr, wingers who were injured in the Flyers' 3-2 win Tuesday over Detroit, won't know until Thursday morning whether they can play that night against visiting Florida.

Neither was among the handful of players who took part in Wednesday's optional skate in Voorhees.

Jagr, who injured his hip, said he would know after Thursday's morning skate, but general manager Paul Holmgren said he didn't expect the 40-year-old forward to be able to play against the Panthers.

Voracek was drilled in the face by an open-ice, second-period hit by Detroit's Niklas Kronwall; he received stitches on the upper and lower part of his mouth.

The winger may undergo a baseline test, performed for concussions symptoms, on Thursday.

On Tuesday, Voracek passed a less-detailed concussion exam.

"I don't want to say I feel too good, because every day is different," said a subdued Voracek.  "Hopefully, I can get back as soon as possible."

Voracek did not fault Kronwall for the hit. Kronwall was not disciplined by the NHL.

"I think it was clean," he said. "I had my head down…..I saw him standing on the blue line and I was kind of naive and thought he was going to back up. It was a tough hit to take, but I think it was a clean hit from my side. It was my bad, and I think those hits should stay in the game."

Voracek said he has a stiff neck from hitting the ice. Asked if he felt foggy, he said, "I feel different, but I think anyone would feel different after that hit. Sometimes you can get slightly hit to the chin and be out a few months;  sometimes you can get run over like I did and you can be back the next game. We'll see."

Defensemen Andrej Meszaros (lower-body injury) and Kimmo Timonen (back) will not play on Thursday, said Holmgren, who plans to recall a forward (Harry Zolnierczyk?) for the game.

* * *

Follow Sam Carchidi on Twitter @BroadStBull