Amid the ash, debris and rubble of The Lost Weekend against the Devils and Rangers, a light came pouring out of the Skate Zone rafters on Monday.
Danny Briere.
He took contact for the second time in four days. If he has no post-concussive side effects, it sounds like Briere could be available for Tuesdays game against the Islanders.
Its a possibility, Briere said. I havent ruled it out.
Hes missed six games with a concussion suffered Jan. 21 at New Jersey. His condition was upgraded to day to day on Monday. He had previously been out indefinitely.
Briere said he has passed all concussion-related tests and just needs clearance from the medical staff to play.
I felt pretty good again todaylast couple of days have been pretty good, said Briere, who was among a dozen players who participated in an optional practice.
NHL
Skating-wise, everything checks out. Ive been working out and pushing myself more every day.
I had a little more contact again today. So at this point, its looking good. I know you guys want to know when. I wish I could give you an answer. I have to see doctorsIm definitely feeling better and better.
Briere said he would like to get the doctor appearances over by tomorrow well in advance of the game.
This was Brieres first diagnosed concussion as a Flyer. He admits to having had concussions earlier in his career without knowing he had them because he didnt have symptoms.
This was the first one I ever had to deal with symptoms, Briere said. I had one when I was 21-years-old and didnt have symptoms. They kept me off the ice for a week.
Briere said he is not worried about being the same player when he returns to the ice. He has 13 goals in 43 games.
I wont be changing my game or anything like that or not going into the tough areas to score goals, Im not planning on changing that, he said.
The key as to whether Briere plays will be if he has any symptoms or sluggishness when he wakes up Tuesday after taking contact today.
He said he didnt quite feel 100 percent Saturday after Fridays contact. If there is any doubt in his mind, Briere is not going to risk coming back against the Isles.
That should be a big sign if I am going or not, he said of how he wakes up tomorrow.
Loose pucks
The Flyers are coming off three games in four days, which is why Monday was an optional practice.James van Riemsdyk practiced, but again would not talk about his condition.The Flyers again have four games through Saturday, plus a back-to-back over the weekend, as well.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net