Training camp hasn't opened.
Few players are even around.
And already, the Flyers are facing some bad news.
Back in November and even last month, Andrej Meszaros was all smiles about likely being cleared to play when the lockout ended.
Today, he was not smiling. And while GM Paul Holmgren did everything he could to downplay what is going on, I always trust the athlete first because ... the athlete knows his body the best.
Meszaros said that even if he gets medical clearance to rejoin the team as a healthy player, he feels he is not 100 percent. And that he could miss the start of the season.
Twist and turn. Start and stop. Push-off. Three things that every hockey player needs, especially, on defense where transition to backpeddling is so pivotal.
Especially one coming off Achilles tendon surgery.
Meszaros even said he often doesn't feel very good after workouts and he wonders how long it will take him to get u p to speed on scrimmages and full games.
You already know how average the FLyers defense is now without Chris Pronger and Matt Carle. Take away Meszaros and you're at crisis management.
Erik Gustafsson has a deep bone bruise. Marc-Andre Bourdon has post-concussion symptoms. Brandon Manning? He hasn't looked very good with the Phantoms. There's your Flyers depth and it's all GONE.
Holmgren thinks Meszaros biggest problem is his mental outlook and lack of confidence to get started again. I tend to go with it's a little of both but the physical end of it is more important to me, at this point.
Meszaros was to see his doctor on Monday but again, just because he has medical clearance to join camp, doesn't mean he will be ready to play on Jan. 19.
And on the subject of injuries, Danny Briere's left wrist, Holmlgren said, was a concern and he could miss a few games t start the season.
*
Holmgren confirmed to me an internet repport that goalie Anthony Stolarz has left Nebraska-Omaha to join the London Knights but will NOT be in Flyers camp.
Here's more on CSNPhilly.com:
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