A fresh reason to hate Pittsburgh: a Penguins’ shot that Tomas Fleischmann blocked in the 2009 playoffs could well have played a role in his developing the blood clot in his left calf that is delaying the start to his season.
“The doctors [in the Czech Republic] told me is it probably a combination of blocking shots in the playoffs against Pittsburgh and a long flight sitting too long in one spot,” Flash informed this morning. His flight home in May was nine hours long.
About two weeks after he arrived home Fleischmann began feeling pain in his left leg. Rest would alleviate the pain but then it would return after he’d work out. So he went to see a doctor and was shocked by the diagnosis, which included no practicing hockey for three months.
“I never heard about it before,” he said.
Fleischmann was ordered to rest — no workouts whatsoever — for five to six weeks early in the offseason. Now he is thinning his blood on medication. The medication will clear up the condition entirely, he said. But he has to guard against not only getting cut, he said, but also concussions.
I asked him if he’s going to stop blocking shots. He smiled and said no.
In the interest of avoiding collisions and bleeding I also told him to avoid riding Metro.
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I dunno. If this means that Bourque, Beagle and some of the other young’uns get some more playing time, this injury could make me a Pittsburgh fan! (Or at least less of a Pittsburgh hater.)
“In the interest of avoiding collisions and bleeding I also told him to avoid riding Metro.”
haha, well played my friend.