Photo courtesy of Amy Irvin/38Photography
For weeks, the Flyers have been waiting out the results of tests on Kimmo Timonen. The veteran defenseman has missed the entire season with blood clots, but has been working his way back in an effort to make a comeback.
On Tuesday, GM Ron Hextall offered a positive report, but would not confirm a full prognosis. Head coach Craig Berube may have let the cat out of the bag.
Berube hinted that Timonen will return to the Flyers this season, saying he's excited for the defenseman's return. But Hextall said to hold the phone on the comeback talk just yet.
"I'm excited for him to be healthy and also excited for him to be coming back," Berube said before Thursday's game. "He's been a real good player and want to play again. He's been a good player for this hockey team and this organization for a while."
Hextall later denied that, saying he didn't know where Berube got the information.
"There’s still a process going on and quite frankly, since I last talked to you guys, it has not moved forward," Hextall said. "It’s at the same spot."
Berube's comments seemed to make sense. Timonen still wants to be on the ice, and has been in the press box for most of the team's home games.
To put in perspective the nature of the reports, Timonen – who was not in attendance at the Flyers 5-2 win over the Jets on Thursday – confirmed Hextall's side of the exchange.
"Kimmo saw what happened. He communicated with us, ‘I’m coming back?'" Hextall said. "I said, 'What do you mean?' 'Well, it’s on TV.'
"Kimmo and myself don’t know whether Kimmo is coming back or not."
So, for now, the story remains the same, but it certainly seems like the signs are pointing towards a return for Timonen at some point soon.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
