So it is now official. Keith Primeau will not be back this year in a Flyers uniform.
Here is what Primeau had to say…
In starting, I would like to thank all of those people who really helped me during the course of the winter. I would like to thank Mr. Snider and Bob Clarke for the opportunity to search out whatever medical advice that I needed to search for over the last few months. It’s refreshing to know as an athlete that you have support of the franchise. Their sincerity is genuine and it is much appreciated.
I made this decision with difficulty as I hoped to not get to this point. Although I have made progress in my recovery (and) my vision has cleared up in the last three weeks, which is a nice change of pace, because it was a constant reminder of the difficulty that I was having. I still have symptoms when I do my physical therapy.
At this time I’m not at 100 percent, not symptom-free and will not be able to finish this season. I have made this decision in hopes of prolonging my career and I will continue to strive to return in the Fall.
The reason for this press conference is to put to rest all the speculation about my returning this season and to afford the Flyers the opportunity to do what they need to do in order help our hockey club win a Championship. I discussed with Clarkie the best route to take yesterday and if I was feeling better by the time the playoffs (started), it will have been two years that I have played consistently and that makes me susceptible in itself.
The doctors believe that I am going to get better and they are very pleased with progress albeit slow. In due time, I will recover and I will have the opportunity to play again.
I don’t know if I have fully come to terms with the decision I’ve had to make. I’m a hockey player and that’s what I do. But, speaking to those that are the closest to me, it’s the right decision. It’s the right decision for my health and that is why I made the decision.”
With Primeau’s decision becoming official there is talk about picking up another player. But I have to say who? If the rest of the Flyers ever get healthy here is the lineup. Top line is Forsberg-Knuble-Gagne, Handzus-Nedved -Radivojevic, Carter-Umberger- Kapanen, Richards-Savage-Brashear. That’s 4 lines plus Stevenson.
The other 3 lines were a best guess. With all the injuries those really haven’t been set.
The only forward I can see the Flyers moving and is actually tradable is Radivojevic. But I just don’t see them doing that, Handzus would loss his buddy.
Defensively the Flyers have Hatcher-Pitkanen, Rathje-Meyer, Jones-Desjardins.
I just threw those lines together too.
Johnsson and Therien are both out with ‘head injuries’ and there is no time table at all when they could be back. If the Flyers do pickup any players, I see it on defense. But who do you pickup and who do you give-up?
