Flyers D Hatcher eyes next season

Mar 17, 2008 - 10:31 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher seems to have his sights set on next season.

"I still have another year on my contract, and as of now I plan on playing," said Hatcher, who sustained a fractured right tibia in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. "I want to play, and I enjoy playing."

Hatcher didn't enjoy playing on Saturday when he suffered the injury while blocking a shot by Bruins blue-liner Andrew Ference.

The 35-year-old Hatcher, who had recently returned from a three-week absence due to a sore right knee, had his leg placed in a cast on Saturday night.

Hatcher has two goals, five assists and 33 penalty minutes in 44 games this season.

The 6-5, 235-pound Hatcher has 80 goals, 331 points and 1,581 penalty minutes in 1,045 career games with the Minnesota North Stars-Dallas Stars franchise, Detroit Red Wings and Flyers.