Needless to say, I was surprised by Johan Backlund's interview with Euroflyers.com about being behind schedule in his rehab for his left hip.

That account is summarized by Bill Meltzer elsewhere on this site.

I asked Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren about Backlund's remarks and he was nothing short of flabbergasted.

Holmgren told me that he feels Backlund's remarks were misinterpreted. The reporter involved is well-versed with Swedes, Finns, etc., so I think this is just Backlund making a mistake.

My feeling is, Backlund got his math wrong.

Here's the bottom line: He had surgery on June 25 in Nashville - the weekend of the NHL Draft. He was told by Thomas Byrd - perhaps the best hip surgeon in the U.S. _ that he would be on crutches 5-8 weeks.

Holmgren told me that Backlund will go OFF his crutches this coming MONDAY. That's 7 weeks - one week less than the maximum of 8.

So how could Backlund say he is "behind" on his rehab?

Here's my story with Holmgren's comments on CSNPhilly.com:

http://tinyurl.com/23frjsc

Also, I have an obit on Wayne Stephenson with some remarks from Joe Watson ...

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