It’s easy to scoff at players pulling out of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey - especially if you’re the cranky type who makes a lot of noise on the Internet - but plenty of guys probably really do need the extra time.
From the way the Philadelphia Flyers are depicting the situation, it sounds like defenseman Radko Gudas is one of them.
The Flyers provided some additional information about the brute beyond Gudas being unable to play for the Czech Republic.
Here’s the statement from GM Ron Hextall:
“Radko Gudas sustained an upper body injury during his offseason training and will be evaluated on a week to week basis. We are hopeful and optimistic that he will not miss any regular season games.”
Week-to-week doesn’t sound especially promising.
Hextall says Radko Gudas has upper body injury from training and is hopeful he won't miss any regular season games
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchRET) September 3, 2016
The Flyers signed Gudas to a contract extension back in June, so they have to hope that any missed time is minimal.
(Unless you’re of the opinion that they’re better off without him ... although it’s a little late for that considering the extension they gave Gudas.)