Kimmo Timonen and the Philadelphia Flyers aren’t ready to close the door on him playing in the NHL again, but the defenseman admitted on Thursday that his chances of playing are “really slim.”
“My desire is I want to play. But the chances of me playing are really slim. That’s a fact. But I’m ready & waiting to see.” -Kimmo Timonen
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 18, 2014
The 39-year-old isn’t ready to retire outright just yet.
Not retiring YET!
— Kime4kids (@kime4kids) September 18, 2014
Hextall apologized that there isn’t really a “black or white” prognosis as of today, yet he at least narrowed things down a bit. He said Timonen will be out for months and that the team will probably take another look at his condition in early 2015.
Timonen notes that blood clot issues run in his family and that he might need to stay on blood thinners for the rest of his life.
Kimmo Timonen says his mom and all of his brothers have a blood disorder which makes them susceptible to clots.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 18, 2014
The experienced blueliner notes that he can participate in exercise-like activities, but isn’t allowed to participate in contact sports if he’s still on blood thinners. He also noted that he won’t be skating anytime soon.
Kimmo Timonen says docs told him that he will probably need to be on blood thinners for the rest of his life. If on thinners, he can't play.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 18, 2014
Timonen admits that it would be really frustrating if his career ends this way - “it wouldn’t be the way I wanted to leave” - yet obviously his health is the top priority. The best news is that he sounds pretty healthy overall.
For a look at how the Flyers will look without Timonen (for at least a few months), click here.