Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall was adamant, when speaking to the media recently, that the team would not rush defenseman Kimmo Timonen's return to the ice after his offseason health scare just so that they could trade him to a contender.
"We're not going to put Kimmo at risk or move his time schedule up so teams can see him," Hextall said, per Frank Seravalli of The Philadelphia Daily News. "This is about what's best for Kimmo. We're not going to rush him for reasons that aren't prudent."
While the thought of a team pushing an injured player - especially a player of Timonen's ilk - to return quicker than they would otherwise be able, is repugnant, the idea that Timonen is returning this year in order to simply play out the string with Philly, seems - pardon the unintended rhyme - silly.
"Sure, Timonen wants to return to leave the game on his own terms, but he is also motivated by one last shot at a Cup," writes Seravalli. "Not moving Timonen before the deadline would make his comeback not only silly, but detrimental to the future."
As Seravalli notes, the Flyers are already over the $69 million salary cap - their current compliance is dependent on players on long term-injured reserve. Timonen's cap hit when he returns will be $2 million - he's also slated to receive a $750,000 bonus once he hits 10 games this season, which, assuming he retires after the year, will mean dead money for the cap-strapped Flyers next season.
Yes, making room for the veteran blueliner could consist of releasing a guy like Carlo Colaiacovo, but would Timonen really return just for 20 to 30 more mostly meaningless games in a Flyers, and NHL, uniform?
It's hard to fathom.
Seravalli believes the team must move Timonen - for the reasons stated above - as well as Braydon Coburn and Nick Grossman in order to pave the way for youngsters Shayne Gostisbehere and Samuel Morin to arrive in the NHL next season.
In other, more positive defensive news for the Flyers, Seravalli reports that Hextall has begun contract extension talks with defenseman Nick Schultz.
"According to a source, the Flyers and Schultz's camp made progress in negotiations on an extension last week. The belief is a deal will be worked out before the deadline, taking Schultz off the table to be moved as a rental option for playoff teams."
The 32-year-old Schultz has two goals, 10 assists and is a plus-8 in 52 games for the Flyers this season.