Vaananen, who had surgery on his right index finger, tried to play in Pittsburgh on Thursday night, but popped the stitches open on his incision and had to leave the game.
"He feels he's definitely out of the games this weekend," general manager Paul Holmgren said. "The stitches came out in the first period and he had to come and have it closed and now the worry is infection."
I'm definitely agreeing that we should try to resign Ossi soon. He's been very steady, is cheap, and should be easy to lock up for two or three years with a slight raise
Vaananen missed three games after having surgery to repair his broken right index finger. He returned to the lineup Thursday night in Pittsburgh, but was reinjured when the incision popped open. Now the team is worried about infection, but the Finnish defenseman could play against the Sabres if the incision heals by Friday.
I didn't know anything about this guy when we got him. I didn't expect much from him when the season started. When we were a few games in and he was as solid as he was, I figured it was flukey.
He's not the second coming of Mark Howe or anything, but he could really compete for the Ashbee this year and beyond.
It's this kind of solid D that unfortunately goes unrecognized by NHL fans on a regular basis. Myself included.
Ossi is quickly becoming one of my favorite Flyers, just the way his interviews go is great. I love his English and mannerisms, not to mention his brand of hockey.
Would you guys say, Ossi is the new(younger) and improved Hatcher?
I'd say he's a similar player to Hatcher, plays the puck better instead of taking the body everytime. Both pre-lockout type defensemen, Hatcher brought good leadership, hopefully Ossi will show those signs of leadership.
Last edited by curtisinpa: 11-21-2008 at 01:02 AM.
One of the reasons so many of the young AHL players have come up are the injuries to Danny Briere. The Flyers' top center is out with a groin injury, suffered only a few games after coming back from abdominal surgery.
Briere skated with the team at practice yesterday but will not make the trip to Buffalo.
"I was hoping this weekend was a possibility but it didn't improve enough so I'm looking at Monday [against Dallas]," Briere said. "But once again it will depend on how it goes over the weekend.
Ossi Vaananen, out with a surgically repaired right index finger, is going to be a game-time decision. He said he is getting closer after having returned against Pittsburgh too early and popping the stitches in his incision.
He probably will play in at least one of the games this weekend. *
Minä opiskelen suomea, mutta olen vasta-alkaja.
