Lindros not cleared to scrimmage yet
ESPN.com news services
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Flyers center Eric
Lindros, sidelined for more than a month because of a
concussion, has been cleared to skate -- but it is highly unlikely that he'll
participate in the Flyers' upcoming playoff series with the Pittsburgh
Penquins.
| |  | |
| Lindros |
Lindros can skate alone, gradually increasing his ice time, but he has not been cleared to participate in scrimmages yet. Dr. James Kelly said Lindros is at least two weeks from being able to scrimmage.
Lindros suffered a Grade II concussion at Boston on March 4.
Since then, he has had a public dispute with general manager Bob
Clarke, blasted the organization for the handling of his injury
and had his captaincy taken away on March 27.
"I spoke with Eric today by phone," said Kelly on Tuesday. "He tells me that he has been engaging in
stationary bicycle and other aerobic exercises for each day of
this past week without any headache or concussive symptoms.
"He states that he is sleeping well, that his energy level is
improving, and that he is eager to take the next step of
increasing his workout regimen."
Without Lindros in the lineup, the Flyers beat the Buffalo
Sabres in five games in an Eastern Conference first-round
series. They open the Eastern Conference semifinals against the
Penquins on Thursday.
"I told Eric that the next step would be to go out on the ice
alone, using his hockey stick to handle the puck and shoot on
goal," said Kelly, who is associate professor of neurology at Northwestern University
Medical School. "I explained that we are looking at a
minimum of two weeks from this point forward before he can
re-enter scrimmage practices if all goes well."
One of the most imposing players in the NHL at 6-4 and 238
pounds, Lindros also has proven to be one of the most fragile.
He was limited to 55 games this season due to concussions,
post-traumatic migraine headaches, back spasms, a bruised left
hand and a viral infection.
A six-time All-Star, Lindros also missed the final seven games
last season and all six playoff contests after suffering a
collapsed lung on April 1 at Nashville.
He has missed at least nine games in each of the past four
seasons, sitting out the first 23 contests in 1996-97 with a
groin ailment. Two seasons ago, Lindros sat out 18 games due to
post-concussion syndrome.
Lindros was third on the Flyers in scoring with 27 goals and 32
assists during the regular-season.
|
Lindros says he just wants to concentrate on hockey.
Eric Lindros is ready to get on the ice.
