hf101 Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tomas Vokoun will be out of the lineup, although there is no timetable on how long. On Saturday, while the Penguins were in action against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vokoun underwent a procedure to dissolve a blood clot in his pelvis, as per Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Molinari reported that Vokoun experienced pain and swelling in his thigh following Saturday’s practice. “The clot was dissolved by the procedure, and the doctors tell us that he (Vokoun) will remain in the hospital for several days,” Penguins general manager Ray Shero told reporters. In the meantime, Jeff Zatkoff will get his chance to fill in for Vokoun in his absence, said Shero. Vokoun, 37, is in his second season with the Penguins. During the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, he took over from a struggling Marc-Andre Fleury in the opening round and was the Penguins goalie right through to the Eastern Conference final. This is not the first time Vokoun has dealt with blood clots. Earlier in his career, the Associated Press reported in a 2006 article that he underwent testing at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, was on blood thinners for three months and that the blood clots resulted from a childhood accident. “(2006 was very disappointing that I didn’t get to play, but I was more worried if I was ever going to be playing again, and if I’m going to be healthy and living,” Vokoun told the National Post in May. “At the moment, I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I had massive blood clots behind my abdominal wall, which you know, when they found them, they didn’t know if it was a tumor or whatever. I was more worried about that than if I would play again.” Source Wow, I forgot all about Vokoun's previous issue with blood clots. Surely some serious stuff. I'd say there has to be concern whether or not he will play this season. Maybe Bryz will get a call. -- sorry couldn't resist! In all seriousness though who do you think they will bring in on a PTO? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 @hf101 I say this is Hartzell's big break. That kid is wicked fast. He's got a future, so why not break him in as a back up, cherry pick the games he plays (ie weaker part of back to backs etc). I think he is the future in the Pens nets, so following that thought process, it would be advantageous to get him some games in the bigs. I do think he has some competition though, but both Tristan Jerry and Matt Murray are talented enough to be threats also. Murray is the starter for the Sault Greyhounds and Jerry plays in the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. I think Murray is further along than Jerry, but Jerry may be the best long term prospect, guess scouts rave over his skill set, and he was the 3rd ranked goalie in the past draft. I was hoping the Flyers might take him in the mid rounds should he slip, nope never happened he went mid 2nd round. I think Hartzell would be the pick, cause the CHL kids will stay put. This is Jerry's first year as a CHL starter, so no way does he make the jump. They have a nice stable of young goalies here. One of these 3 will eventually replace Fleury. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 @jammer2 Ok, I think that will work for the short term if Vokoun comes back. But if the Penguins choose to go with Fleury and Hartzell, I think they are taking a risk say if Fleury has a mid season injury assuming Vokoun doesn't come back of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 @hf101 Yeah, that is a big risk. They might just try the kid out and see how he does. If he looks even a bit shakey, you send him to the AHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Sigh, means that Fleury will play just that much more in the beginning of the season. They've leaned on him heavily in the past, and he has tired as the season wound down. I don't really want to see them keep Hartzell as the backup, he's not going to get the starts up in the NHL. Leave him down where he can get continual playing time and seasoning instead of spot starts. Maybe Zatkoff gets the backup role instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Two words: MichaelLeighton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 @ruxpin Leighton is playing in Switzerland.Puck Daddy mentions Theodore and Hedberg. Hedberg was released from a tryout all ready. I guess another option is DiPietro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 It will be Zatkoff unless something decent tries to sneak through waivers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 @Polaris922 Yeah, I forgot all about Zatkoff, good things there is actual real Pens fans in here....lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxpin Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 The Pens have Crosby and Malkin. They can play withOUT a goalie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 The Pens have Crosby and Malkin. They can play withOUT a goalie.Come playoff season they seem to start without one Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B21 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 It will be Zatkoff unless something decent tries to sneak through waivers... Yup - they are already on record saying Zatkoff will be the back up. There goes our much needed "insurance policy" but who knows...maybe this is the shot that Zatkoff has been waiting for. @jammer2 is right about the situation. I think down the road you will see one of the kids replace Fleury. In the meantime, I hope Vokoun makes a full recovery - hockey aside. All it takes is one blood clot to end up in the wrong place and 'poof' - you are fertilizing daffodils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Yup - they are already on record saying Zatkoff will be the back up. There goes our much needed "insurance policy" but who knows...maybe this is the shot that Zatkoff has been waiting for. @jammer2 is right about the situation. I think down the road you will see one of the kids replace Fleury. In the meantime, I hope Vokoun makes a full recovery - hockey aside. All it takes is one blood clot to end up in the wrong place and 'poof' - you are fertilizing daffodils.I guess if there's a bright side it's that it's in his leg this time as opposed to multiple clots behind his abdominal wall as last time. Might not be out very long this time. Who knows? Docs can't say for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 @Polaris922 Yep, looks like Vokoun may have played his final game. Vokoun stated that he nearly died from the blood clots in his leg last weekend. Vokoun's foot was swollen, with blood clots from his mid-leg to his heart, which threatened his life. And thus is contemplating whether to end his career and that he would be willing to do so if his doctors believe that is the best course of action. source Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B21 Posted September 27, 2013 Share Posted September 27, 2013 @Polaris922 Yep, looks like Vokoun may have played his final game. Vokoun stated that he nearly died from the blood clots in his leg last weekend. Vokoun's foot was swollen, with blood clots from his mid-leg to his heart, which threatened his life. And thus is contemplating whether to end his career and that he would be willing to do so if his doctors believe that is the best course of action. source Scary stuff. Hockey should take a back seat now if it hasn't already. If it were me, I'd hang 'em up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Wow bad news... You're a millionaire though... Why risk dying?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hf101 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Several reports are stating that Vokoun will be out at least 3-6 months. "I'm not thinking about my career or hockey. I'm worried about my long term health." - Vokoun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatGazoo Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Ilya Bryzgalov...COME ON DOWN!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlbluesfan4ever Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I definely think Sherio will need to work something out, the Pens really don't have the Cap room to just sign a expensive free agent like Bryzgalov, Dipetro or any other nhl ready goalies, also, Sherio has to play a very dangerous game of who's he really trying to replace, Vokoun or Fleury. because if you're only trying to replace vokoun and you just want to spell Fleury every so often, then you need to figure out who's expendiable to trade and wouldn't hurt the long term plans and still get you help. However, the whole reason the Pens brought Vokoun in was the fact that they were worried about overplaying Fleury, so what are their plans now, and how is Fleury going to respond when he needs to carry this team in net all by himself, Fleury is going to need to return to past glory real quick with no real relief in sight, because if not, since fleury is already under the microscope, the Pens may find themselves in deep trouble in goal, and may need to replace two goalies instead of just one, and that will cost them alot more, and definely put the Pen's long term development in a big slow down mode. I hope Fleury can do it, but I'm nervous about the stress all this is going to cost him and how he reacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B21 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I definely think Sherio will need to work something out, the Pens really don't have the Cap room to just sign a expensive free agent like Bryzgalov, Dipetro or any other nhl ready goalies, also, Sherio has to play a very dangerous game of who's he really trying to replace, Vokoun or Fleury. because if you're only trying to replace vokoun and you just want to spell Fleury every so often, then you need to figure out who's expendiable to trade and wouldn't hurt the long term plans and still get you help. However, the whole reason the Pens brought Vokoun in was the fact that they were worried about overplaying Fleury, so what are their plans now, and how is Fleury going to respond when he needs to carry this team in net all by himself, Fleury is going to need to return to past glory real quick with no real relief in sight, because if not, since fleury is already under the microscope, the Pens may find themselves in deep trouble in goal, and may need to replace two goalies instead of just one, and that will cost them alot more, and definely put the Pen's long term development in a big slow down mode. I hope Fleury can do it, but I'm nervous about the stress all this is going to cost him and how he reacts. Looks like they are going to see how Zatkoff works out as the back-up. He's earned at least a look based on his AHL play last year. I think they will know within the first 1-2 months if he can handle to role. If he can, great. If not, Vokoun hits IR and frees up some cap room. His annual salary is $2,000,000 but I'm not sure how much space they will have...certainly enough to find a servicable back-up. Of course, not one that will provide the same "insurance" for Fleury as Vokoun did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Hartzell looked good too. I'd be surprised if they picked anyone up. I wouldn't. Use the youngsters as backups, get them experience while they can, then reevaluate Vokoun when they have a better grasp of his recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Yikes, that sure wasn't what the Pens wanted to see from Hartzell. I didn't see the game, but giving up 6 in your first game, not exactly a great debut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Yikes, that sure wasn't what the Pens wanted to see from Hartzell. I didn't see the game, but giving up 6 in your first game, not exactly a great debut.You mean Zatkoff. The entire team looked bad. Just one of those games where everyone seems to be thinking of things other than hockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 You mean Zatkoff. The entire team looked bad. Just one of those games where everyone seems to be thinking of things other than hockey.Oops, mind thought and fingers typed something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Oops, mind thought and fingers typed something else.Happens to the best of us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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