Flyers D Hatcher eyes return

Apr 6, 2008 - 12:54 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher has not given up on playing again this season.

After sustaining a fractured right tibia in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on March 15, it looked like it spelled the end of the campaign for the veteran blue-liner.

The 35-year-old returned to the ice on Saturday, skating briefly prior to the practice and announced his intentions of returning for the first round of the playoffs.

"When I went in (to see the doctor) 10 days ago, the X-ray really looked good. The doctor was really, really encouraged by that," Hatcher said. "I think from there on, we kind of almost starting planning (that) in another 10 days, I'll be able to (skate). We've been kind of preparing for it quietly, but it's still definitely good news when you're officially able to start rehabbing it the right way.

"It healed relatively fast, and I've been putting weight on it and working out for two days now and the bone feels good. It's just a matter now of getting the strength around the ankle and the leg back to where it needs to be."

Although the injury has sidelined Hatcher for seven games, it has not prevented him from providing a presence for the team. Hatcher celebrated with his teammates after the Flyers clinched a postseason berth on Friday with a 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes' 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.

"He ended up showing up down in the locker room and (was) high-fiving guys on the way out," coach John Stevens said. "I thought that was just great. I think his presence and the fact he was around really pumped the guys up. Whether you're a young guy or an old guy, you can't help but respect Hatch.

"He's got such a presence on our team and such respect. If we could ever get a guy like that back, it would be huge for us."

Hatcher recorded 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.