Tuesday, October 24 Stefan apparently OK after scary incident By Al Morganti Special to ESPN.com

The Atlanta Thrashers got a real scare last week when franchise rookie Patrik Stefan suffered a couple of big hits, which led to what was diagnosed as a very mild (grade 1) concussion.

	Patrik Stefan has three goals and four assists in 16 games this season.

The immediate future of the expansion franchise was laying on the ice.

"If there is anything good to come out of this," said Waddell, "it's that now we know that he can take the big hit, and he'll be OK. From all of our medical reports after we drafted him, we were confident that he (Stefan) would have about the same risk factors as other players.

"But obviously, with his history, when he did get hit like that, you get a little concerned."

The "hit" was actually a combination of sorts, the first delivered by Jay McKee, and the second a sort of a forearm a few minutes later by Richard Smehlik. It was after the second hit that Stefan was on the ice for several minutes, and then helped to the locker room.

"It was just after the first shift of the game, the first three minutes," said Waddell. "He got hit by Jay McKee, and then the second hit, from Smehlik, we could not see from the press box side. But from what their trainer said, it looked like he got caught with what looked like a forearm from underneath. It snapped his head up, and that's the way concussions usually happen, through the jaw."

Stefan is fitted with one of the state-of-the-art mouth guards, which are supposed to absorb some of the impact through the jaw. However, there is only so much that can be absorbed.

"He had no memory loss, didn't pass out, nothing like that," said Waddell. "If it was another player, he might go out and finish the game. But, obviously with him, one game doesn't mean anything versus our future.

"We sent him out that night for an MRI, and it confirmed what our doctors thought -- that there was no problem."

So, why didn't Stefan play on Monday night when the Thrashers hosted the Vancouver Canucks? "That was our decision," said Waddell. "I talked to (coach) Curt (Fraser) about it. We just wanted to be safe, and more of a confidence thing.

"I think the kid was scared to death. You know ... 19-years old, and the history. I think he will now feel better that he can deal with it. The positive thing is that he took two big hits and responded well.

"The way I look at it now, it was only a matter of time in this league before he would have to be tested with a hit like that. The positive side to this is that we're all truly confident now about his ability to take those hits, both us and Patrick (Stefan)."

Dallas got immediate help this week when Richard Matvichuk, and Brian Skrudland returned from injuries, and the real key should be when Jere Lehtinen returns. He's expected back as early as this coming Friday.

So, a heads-up to the rest of the league -- Dallas and Colorado are about to get serious.

So, despite public denials to the contrary, there is no doubt that the Flyers have talked to NHL clubs about a move involving Lindros. The persisting rumor is a deal with Carolina which involves unsigned free agent Keith Primeau, but there are others.

If it was not for the fast start by the San Jose Sharks, they could be interested in a deal for Lindros. Others who might be willing to listen are Chicago, Los Angeles and perhaps Phoenix.

The Coyotes continue to insist they won't trade the free agent, but the Chicago Blackhawks remain a potential landing spot.

General manager Darcy Regier has confided to friends that it is not likely Ward will be traded. The Sabres have been very healthy in terms of forwards, and the organization does not want to start dealing away players, knowing full well the injury bug is eventually likely to catch up to them.

Then again, with Dominik Hasek down for so long, maybe that counts for several players being injured.