The Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL brotherhood at large got a heaping spoonful of feel-good news when it was announced that veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen, whose career prospects were placed squarely in jeopardy after it was revealed in the offseason that he was suffering from blood clots, would attempt a return to the ice this year.
Timonen, the four-time All-Star, skated for the first time Friday morning with Flyers general manager Ron Hextall a very interested observer.
While it would be a potentially huge lift for the Flyers if Timonen were to return to the lineup - the team seems set to miss the playoffs thanks in large part to an underwhelming defensive corps - if the campaign is lost, it may make more sense for the player and the franchise for Hextall to ship Timonen off to a contender ahead of the trade deadline, as Rich Hoffman of The Philly Voice suggests.
"A trade would seem like the most logical move for both sides: Timonen gets one more chance at the cup and the Flyers receive much-needed future help in return for what will be a valuable trade chip," writes Hoffman.
Timonen was asked about the possibility of a trade deadline deal by the Philadelphia media almost before he could finish lacing his skates for the first time in eight months. His response was amusement but, per Hoffman, there seemed to be a bit of a knowing sense behind the 39-year-old, 15-year NHL veteran's mirth.
"You guys are sneaky trying to find out some info. We'll see, we'll see," Timonen said. "Like I said, what happens, happens. Let's get back to that issue maybe down the road. It's just I haven't really thought about that."
Timonen, even before his diagnosis, had made it clear that this season is to be his last, so if he were to make one more run at a Stanley Cup, it would have to be as a rental piece for a contender.
His rehab and return to the ice will have to happen with the Flyers before he can be dealt but, for an organization and fanbase that have been lucky enough to watch Timomen provide a steadying, veteran blue line presence for seven seasons now - and remain direly in need of the assets his trade would provide - giving him that opportunity is probably something of an honor.
Really, for Timonen to take whatever health risks come along with playing in the NHL again despite his blood clot diagnosis, a trade to a contender for one last Stanley Cup chase is the only future that really makes any sense.