Oct 9, 2008 - 8:37 PM
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Defenseman Randy Jones on Thursday told the team he may need surgery on a labrum in his hip. Should he opt to undergo the procedure, Jones estimates he will be sidelined six to eight weeks.
"This is very disappointing. I was really looking forward to this camp and the start of the season, and getting off to a good start," Jones said. "It's a little setback, but I'll hopefully get this fixed and come back healthier than before."
"It doesn't sound too good," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said of Jones' injury. "I would assume (he's) going to need some work done."
Coupled with veteran Derian Hatcher and fellow blue-liner Ryan Parent being placed on injured reserve on Thursday, the Flyers already are thin at the position.
As for whether Jones would opt for surgery, the 27-year-old certainly seems to be leaning that way.
"Surgery would be the best thing to kind of get this fixed and take the discomfort away and not have any pain," he said. "That's the one main thing that would take the pain away. It's either that, or just bite the lip for the rest of the season and get it (repaired) when the season is done. We're just kind of looking at different scenarios and get the best one done."
Undrafted out of Clarkson University, Jones signed with Philadelphia as a free agent on July 24, 2003, one day after his 22nd birthday. The 6-2, 200-pound native of New Brunswick made his NHL debut in 2003-04 and became a regular on the Flyers' blue line in 2006-07, when he recorded four goals and 18 assists in 66 games.
Last season, Jones registered five tallies, 31 points and 58 penalty minutes in 71 contests. He has amassed nine goals and 52 assists in 170 career games.
Eighteen-year-old defenseman Luca Sbisa will be on the Flyers' opening-night roster when they face the New York Rangers on Saturday.
The 19th overall pick of the 2008 draft, Sbisa spent last season with Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League, recording six goals and 27 assists in 62 contests.
