Flyers’ Kimmo Timonen Has Blood Clots in Both Lungs, Leg

The Flyers’ vexing offseason continued yesterday when the team announced defenseman Kimmo Timonen was hospitalized with blood clots in both lungs, and his leg. Ron Hextall says the team fears it could be a “long-term situation.” Timonen, 39, has played for the Flyers since the 2007-08 season; he signed a one-year deal to stay with the club in June.

“We’re worried about Kimmo the person, not the hockey player,” Ron Hextall told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday. Timonen saw a doctor after several days of calf pain; he thought he had just pulled a muscle, but a doctor friend encouraged him to go to the hospital. He’s scheduled to be released from the hospital today, but won’t be able to travel for two to three weeks.

Timonen turns 40 in March. He scored 6 goals and had 35 points for the Flyers last season. In response — and acting as if it is indeed a long-term situation — the team Flyers signed Michael Del Zotto to a one-year deal. Del Zotto had two promising seasons early in his career, but hasn’t been the same player the last two seasons. It’s a cheap deal, and Del Zotto is only 24.

Meanwhile, Steve Mason broke his right pinky — his glove hand — playing hockey. He’s out for 2-3 weeks.

Flyers fans are their usual optimistic selves.

We have replaced Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell with RJ Umberger and Mike Del Zotto.

— Yo! (@FlyGoalScoredBy) August 6, 2014

The Flyers’ Flyers play their first preseason game on Sept. 24.