Flyers' Timonen out 'months' while recovering from blood clots

Sep 18, 2014 - 8:11 PM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen will be out for a period of months as he continues to recover from a diagnosis of multiple blood clots.

In a Thursday afternoon press conference, Flyers GM Ron Hextall stated that the condition of his veteran blueliner is such that an assessment of Timonen's readiness to return to the ice won't occur until the turn of the new calendar year.

"Kimmo will not play for a period of time here, meaning months. First and foremost we're concerned about him and his family," Hextall stated. "We really don't have any definitive answers. The one definitive we have is that Kimmo will not play ... for many months."

Timonen had been diagnosed with blood clots in his lower right leg and both lungs in his native Finland back in early August, a setback which put his career in jeopardy.

The 39-year-old veteran signed a one-year contract extension in June to stay with the Flyers for an eighth season. Now, it appears likely that won't come to pass, although Timonen is not completely given over to the possibility that he's finished.

"My desire is ... obviously I want to play. But the chance of me playing is really slim. That's a fact," Timonen stated. "I'm ready to wait, and if there's a chance and a safe way for me to step on the ice, then we have a discussion. But we don't know yet."

Timonen has 232 assists and 270 points with the Flyers -- ranking him third all-time among Philadelphia defensemen in both stats. He has 117 goals and 454 assists for 571 points in 1,092 career games with the Flyers and Nashville Predators.

In 77 games last season, Timonen posted six goals with 29 assists for 35 points.