610 WIP reported Monday morning that Flyers’ backup goaltender Antero Niittymaki aggravated his hip in practice on Sunday, and will miss 4-6 weeks to recover from surgery. Niittymaki has a history of hip problems, stemming from a torn labrum he suffered in the 2006-07 season. He had the hip surgically repaired at the end of that season. Last year Niittymaki was 12-9 in 28 games, with a 2.91 GAA. No word yet on who his replacement will be for the start of the year.
Also on the injury front, newly acquired center Glen Metropolit will miss a few days while he recovers from a freak palm tree incident. While in his yard in Florida, a palm branch fell from the tree and pierced his foot, causing a laceration. Unbeknown to Glen, a small piece of the branch remained in his foot causing infection. Metropolit had the piece removed just days ago and will be ready to go for the start of training camp.
“Strange cut,” Flyers coach John Stevens said about the incident.
While on the topic of injuries, Flyers’ top defenseman Kimmo Timonen has not had any setbacks with the blood clot in his ankle that caused him to suddenly miss four games of the Eastern Conference Finals.
“I saw a doctor a few days ago, and he says it’s almost back to normal,” Timonen said. “It probably will never be back to “normal,’ but it’s [at a place] where he could say normal.”
Also fully recovered from an injury in the Eastern Conference Finals is Braydon Coburn. After taking a deflected shot to the eye area that immediately ended his season, Braydon has been skating well and leading the team in unofficial skates sessions. Coburn has seemingly learned from his mistake last season, as he is now sporting a brand new visor.
Phila.Bright 