alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Ryan Smyth will skate on Monday morning for the first time since suffering his upper-body injury, Terry Murray said after today’s morning skate. Smyth, based on the initial four-week estimate, might be able to return on or around Dec. 14, when the Kings play at Vancouver. The Kings also play Dec. 15 at Edmonton and Dec. 17 at Calgary before an eight-day break.
MURRAY: He’s going to start to skate on Monday. That will be his first time at it. He feels good. He’s walking around much more relaxed and without any pain. I think, with him, you’ve got to be careful not to let him do too much and get into a situation where he might injure himself again. But he’s going to get on the ice and start to do stuff. But off the ice, in the last little while, he has been riding the bike. He’s hungry to keep himself going so that, when he gets the green light to get going, he’s going to step in and not miss a step.”
Murray was adamant that Smyth would not return ahead of schedule, and said he wasn’t certain if Smyth would be able to return before the holiday break.
MURRAY: “That’s going to be up to the doctor. That’s not going to be me speculating on anything. The doctor will have to sit down and talk and evaluate and go from there.”
Take your time 94. We need you healthy for the rest of the season.
[Reply]
Yeah, don’t rush it. With the way he plays, coming back early could be disastrous.
[Reply]
It looks like if he waits a couple games he’ll be undeniably solid when he comes back, so I’d say that’s the best idea.
[Reply]
They’re going to significantly fall back in the standings and be in the hole by the time he returns. I wish him well, but really, the sooner the better.
[Reply]
It doesn’t make any sense to rush him back, and risk losing him for another month or longer.
[Reply]
When did I say rush him? Just hope he heals as quickly as possible. It appears he had a lot to do with Kopitar’s and William’s production. Beyond the first line, they have nothing.
[Reply]
Williams’
[Reply]
“The sooner the better.” That’s rushing. He’s ready when he’s ready. He’s apparently of extreme importance, so that’s why no rush. Meanwhile, they learn to play under adverse situations, which they need to do anyway.
[Reply]
If he comes back to early and re-fracture’s that rib, o rinjures his shoulder because he’s still hesitant to protect himself, he’ll be out for the Olympics – lets not be naive…Olympics are on his mind too.
[Reply]
Uh, no, Kenneth. That’s not what that means. But go ahead and believe it.
Hey Smyth, the sooner the better.
[Reply]
How about taking a page out of my book Terry?
Please just sit Raitis 5 games in a Row…Lets just see how we do Mentally and Physically..Maybe we see some of the other players step up their game knowing that the waste of a uniform is not dressed. Maybe an extra body that has a little bit more potential than #41 can skate with the intention of making a play instead of looking for a player to foul. Just a thought
Go Kings Tonight…Everyone is winning or getting a point behind us we could fall past #8 by next week if we are not careful.
911
[Reply]
I am also glad that the Olymics roll around every 4 years so some of our players can show their true talent for their country and yet not their team they get paid big bank for…Just Saying
[Reply]
Just a side note to the trade for Smyth: Preissing was put on waivers by colorado today.
[Reply]
Sounds like he pinched a nerve on his back or a herniated disk.
[Reply]
Rich, WTFK insists on his frivolous proclivity to tell me what I meant. For some reason, he needs validation on a hockey blog. Wouldn’t his persistance fall under the stipulation of: Personal attacks against other blog commenters, and/or blatant attempts to antagonize other commenters?
Yet, you delete my post. Your rationale to ascertain what goes and what stays is murky, at best.
[Reply]
Both offending comments have been removed. The rule is the same for everyone. If you can’t make a point without insulting someone, your post will be deleted.
[Reply]
Now it isn’t murky. Thank you.
[Reply]
I jumped on Wikipedia and read the article, but it was a lot like walking through pudding: slow going and afterward I felt kinda dirty.
[Reply]