While Danny Briere returns to the ice Tuesday after missing six games with a concussion (see story), teammate James van Riemsdyk remains sidelined with post-concussion symptoms.
Van Riemsdyk will miss his 11th straight game tonight against the New York Islanders.
The good news? The Flyers 22-year-old wing is making progress and appears far more upbeat than he was as recently as a week ago.
Its a pretty slow process, but I have to keep the good mindset, van Riemsdyk said after todays morning skate. It was among his first comments to reporters in weeks.
Thats all I can do.
It is believed JVR was concussed on Jan. 7 here in Philadelphia when Ottawas Bobby Butler hit him.
Van Riemsdyk played three more games before noticing concussion symptoms.
NHL
The Flyers announced on Jan. 14 that he was out indefinitely with a concussion. That day, in Nashville, JVR showed up at the rink for the morning skate and was unable to go on the ice.
Ive tried not to let that wordfrustrationseep into my vocabulary, van Riemsdyk said. Just try to stay positive. Obviously, when you are in a better mindset, its better for healing and getting better.
Thats what Im trying to focus on. Just little positive things every day, and take it from there.
Asked how he felt this week compared to last, he admitted that was a frustrating thing because, If you talk to me at different times of the day, maybe I will feel a little better, sometimes than other times when I feel really sick.
This is the time of year when players are trying to prep mentally and physically for a long playoff run. Van Riemsdyk has missed enough time now that his in-game physical conditioning is going to suffer when he returns.
Yeah, yeah, that is something I cant control, he said. Im not too worried about that. Im worried about the here and now and getting better.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net