VOORHEES, N.J. -- Barring a complete turnaround with his injured left wrist, Danny Briere could miss the shortened-season opener on Jan. 19.
At most, he guesses, maybe a week of the season.
Because the new CBA has not been ratified, Briere cant be examined by any of the Flyers team doctors. His appointment with a hand specialist has been moved to Saturday.
Briere jammed and badly sprained his left wrist on a hit in Germany two weeks ago.
I havent skated for the last 10 days because of the wrist injury, Briere said. I really believe when I am ready to play, I wont be too far behind having a chance to stay in shape. Playing real hockey and competitive games for three months has put me in hockey shape. Missing maybe some time, I should be OK.
Briere said his recovery will be three weeks on Jan. 19. He added X-rays and an MRI taken in Germany did not show any fracture.
Things happen anywhere, he said. It had to happen on the last game over there. Bad luck I guess, but it could have been worse. Guys are missing a whole year or a month or two.
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Loose pucks
Matt Walker (groinhipabdomen) remained injured throughout the lockout, the club said. Its highly unlikely he will be medically cleared. So thats a defensemen the Flyers cant rely on for depth purposes.The Flyers are awaiting to hear under the new CBA how Brayden Schenns cap hit will turn out. They are preparing as if its a full hit of 3.1 million. ... Center Scott Laughton (2012 first-round pick) has a name plate here for training camp. Unless he plays a top line, it makes little sense to waste a year on Laughtons contract for a shortened season. ... Other players here since Monday: Scott Hartnell, Matt Read, Claude Giroux, Ilya Bryzgalov, Michael Leighton, Braydon Coburn, and Sean Couturier, who did not skate.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net
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