MTR NHL News: Eight Flyers Facing Off-Season Surgery
Philadelphia Flyers Captain Mike Richards is one of five Flyers facing offseason surgery, a list that could increase to eight depending on pending medical reports.
Center Richards played the entire 2010-11 season with torn ligaments in his wrist.
Forward Kris Versteeg (stomach muscle)
Forward Blair Betts (finger)
Defenseman Andrej Meszaros (wrist)
Goaltender Michael Leighton (hip)
Additional Flyers facing surgery are:
Forward Jeff Carter (hip)
Forward Scott Hartnell (hip)
Defenseman Chris Pronger (back surgery)
All of these injuries could explain the Flyers lackluster performance when they were swept by the Boston Bruins. Richards who played a league high 204 games between the 2010 and 2011 seasons which included the Olympics last year clearly ran out of gas in the playoffs.
The Flyers Coaches and Management must do a better keeping their players fresh as they enter the playoffs. The Flyers are too talented to be knocked out in the second round of the playoffs even with questionable goaltending.
