Simon Gagne has seen a few set backs lately. He was hoping to skate last Friday with hopes of playing in Wednesday's Game 3, but that never came to fruition. Now, he's hoping to skate this upcoming Friday, a full two weeks after his surgery and 16 days after suffering the injury.
Here's what CSN Philly's Tim Panaccio (who is back at work following a bit of a health scare, good to see he's okay) had to say on the subject.
If things go as planned, Simon Gagne could start skating this weekend.
The Flyers left wing, who is now wearing a boot on his right foot (broken toe), seemed optimistic Tuesday.
"It’s getting better," Gagne said. "I’m off the crutches, walking on the foot a little bit. It’s getting better every day. I didn’t start skating yet. But it’s getting close. I am going to meet with the doctor on Friday. From there, hopefully, I get the ok to start skating."
Gagne is expected to undergo another MRI on Friday.
According to Sam Carchidi of the Inquirer, at the best-case, Gagne could return for Game 5, which will (God willing) be played next Monday in Boston. Initially, Gagne was listed as out for three weeks with his broken toe, and a return on Monday would be just one day shy of the three week mark.
Worth noting a few things here, though:
- Carchidi was the one who initially reported Gagne's best-case at Game 3, which obviously isn't happening. Take it for what it's worth.
- Gagne's a bit of a slow healer historically, so his MRI on Friday might not even show good results. There's no guarantee that he'll be skating come Friday, which would push the entire process back.
Assuming the Flyers win all of their games on home ice, that would mean they still have to win one game in Boston. Having Simon Gagne in the lineup would go a long way towards fixing match up issues that Peter Laviolette and the Flyers have had while playing at TD Garden. A return this series is vital for Gagne and the team.