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In an interview with CSN on Tuesday and confirmed by CSNPhilly’s Sarah Baicker, Flyers center Blair Betts hinted that he may miss training camp and the start of the regular season as he recovers from major offseason shoulder surgery.
“It’s probably closer to four months before I’m able to play again,” Betts said, which would set him up for a Nov. return. “So we’ll see what the doctor says in a couple weeks.”
Betts, 30, missed 19 games last season with shoulder issues. The most notable injury came in the Eastern Conference semifinals game 6 against the Boston Bruins, when after an attempted hit, the veteran forward’s arm dangled lifelessly to his side as he went off the ice.
Betts recently had surgery to repair and strengthen the ligaments in his shoulder, but it is rumored that the shoulder had more damage than expected.
If the fourth-line defensive specialist, who scored eight goals and 10 assists in 63 games, were to miss the start of the regular season, still unsigned RFA Darroll Powe could take over that duty. However, should the Flyers walk away from Powe, the team could be in the market for a utility center to take over as the 13th forward.
Phila.Bright 