justinevans
07/11/06, 03:41 PM
PHILADELPHIA -- Peter Forsberg doesn't need surgery on his left ankle and could be ready for the start of the NHL season, more than four months earlier than the Philadelphia Flyers forward was expected to return.
Peter Forsberg
Center
Philadelphia Flyers
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM G A PTS +/- PIM
60 19 56 75 21 46
Forsberg met with a doctor in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday who told him the damage to the left ankle was minimal and would not need to be corrected. The center's right ankle was operated on two months ago.
"We're going to hold on the second surgery at this time," Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin said Tuesday. "We're going to rehab Peter's left ankle. That rehab will start tomorrow."
McCrossin said Forsberg can begin skating Sept. 1.
"It's our hope and our goal that we would have him back by the first of the season," he said.
In mid-May, Forsberg had torn ligaments repaired and several bones realigned in his right ankle during a three-hour operation. He was scheduled to have the same procedure on his left ankle when the right one healed, and was expected to be sidelined until about January.
Forsberg started rehabilitation Thursday on his right ankle, seven weeks after the operation.
"It's been a hard couple of weeks now," he said. "Not to do the second one is great. Knowing I'm going to be back at the start of the season is great, too. I'm really happy today about what was decided. I'm excited to get the season going."
Forsberg has had ankle problems for about seven years. The Flyers have said that the surgery should make him less prone to groin and abdominal strains. Most of the 22 games he missed last season were from groin-related injuries.
Forsberg complained at the end of the season that he had loose ligaments in his ankles that were more uncomfortable than painful. The condition affected his balance, put added stress on his legs and made it difficult to keep his right foot in his skate.
He had 19 goals and 75 points in his first season with the Flyers after leaving Colorado for a two-year, $11.5 million contract last summer.
Peter Forsberg
Center
Philadelphia Flyers
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM G A PTS +/- PIM
60 19 56 75 21 46
Forsberg met with a doctor in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday who told him the damage to the left ankle was minimal and would not need to be corrected. The center's right ankle was operated on two months ago.
"We're going to hold on the second surgery at this time," Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin said Tuesday. "We're going to rehab Peter's left ankle. That rehab will start tomorrow."
McCrossin said Forsberg can begin skating Sept. 1.
"It's our hope and our goal that we would have him back by the first of the season," he said.
In mid-May, Forsberg had torn ligaments repaired and several bones realigned in his right ankle during a three-hour operation. He was scheduled to have the same procedure on his left ankle when the right one healed, and was expected to be sidelined until about January.
Forsberg started rehabilitation Thursday on his right ankle, seven weeks after the operation.
"It's been a hard couple of weeks now," he said. "Not to do the second one is great. Knowing I'm going to be back at the start of the season is great, too. I'm really happy today about what was decided. I'm excited to get the season going."
Forsberg has had ankle problems for about seven years. The Flyers have said that the surgery should make him less prone to groin and abdominal strains. Most of the 22 games he missed last season were from groin-related injuries.
Forsberg complained at the end of the season that he had loose ligaments in his ankles that were more uncomfortable than painful. The condition affected his balance, put added stress on his legs and made it difficult to keep his right foot in his skate.
He had 19 goals and 75 points in his first season with the Flyers after leaving Colorado for a two-year, $11.5 million contract last summer.