A couple weeks ago Keith Primeau started getting post concussion symptoms again. He was expected to go to Finland for training before the start of training camp. Apparently that is not going to happen now. I suspect we are just getting closer to the ‘announcement’. I expect it within a month. Below is a Q&A session with Primeau.
“At the conclusion of our season and with the progress I had made at the end of the year heading into the summer, and after discussions with Ken Hitchcock, we felt it was best that I went to Europe at some point during the summer to do some conditioning having missed all of last year and the year before. So, I made arrangements to go over and practice with Sami [Kapanen’s] Division One team in Finland. Earlier in the summer, that was my plan.”
Q: Did you ever intend to play with them, or just practice?
“Just practice. It was going to be four weeks of just practice in an attempt to get my skating legs underneath me and to venture into some contact.”
Q: Last week you were examined by [Flyers team physician] Dr. Gary Dorshimer. Did that examination influence your decision in any way?
“I had made my decision not to go to Finland before visiting with Dr. Dorshimer. I just felt that the day was fast approaching and that I wasn’t at a point where I was ready to head over there in the middle of August. After visiting with Dr. Dorshimer last week, all he did was re-confirm my decision.”
Q: How can you describe your feelings heading into the season?
“It’s cautious. I don’t like to use the word concerned, but I’m nervous. I have some residual pressure in my head and I continue to feel as though I get better, and I believe I’m on the last stretch of my concussion symptoms, but I just don’t know when the remainder of my symptoms are going to disappear. I’m still under no timeframe, but from a return standpoint I do feel the pressure to make a decision in order for the team to be able to move forward.”
Q: What is the decision you have to make?
“Basically, what happens now? I am going to make one more attempt to get myself prepared to play this season, but I also understand that I’m running out of time for opportunities or chances to get myself ready to play. Not from a physical standpoint, but from a health standpoint. I won’t make any decisions one way or the other until I give myself that one more opportunity.”