Halpern update: Team says surgery likely

This news release just arrived from the Lightning. No confirmation on the ACL, but the fact that the team is acknowledging surgery is likely would seem to square with the early reports. Here's the release:

TAMPA BAY - Tampa Bay Lightning center Jeff Halpern has suffered a right knee injury that is expected to require surgery, it was announced by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster. Halpern sustained the injury during the third period of Team USA’s 5-4 loss against Canada at the IIHF World Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia yesterday. Halpern is serving as captain of Team USA at the tournament.

            Under the direction of the Lightning medical staff, Halpern will travel to Washington, D.C. today to see Dr. Benjamin Shaffer, team physician for the Washington Capitals. Dr. Shaffer performed surgery on Halpern’s left knee in 2002 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). More information will be available following the results of an MRI and the evaluation by Dr. Shaffer.

Comments

[wahls]

And the hits just keep on coming. Someone better go kidnap Marty, Ramo, Jussi, and Kuba and lock them in their houses until training camp so they don't get hurt too. At least wrap them in bubble wrap or something, jeez. I thought our luck was turning around after we won the draft lottery, guess not. Someone better go wrap Stamkos in bubble wrap as well, we can't be too careful. Now we will have at least 3 players recovering from major surgery (plus Grats if we sign him now that Halpern is out). Wonder how Ranger is doing with his rehab?

Hopefully it isn't as bad as was initially reported (the media does love to blow things out of proportion), but either way it doesn't sound good. I was watching when it happened and I knew it wasn't going to be good news. Here is to a quick recovery for Halpy, he will be greatly missed if he is out for a good portion of the season.

[Casper]

Good luck on surgery and rehab, Jeff. Don't even think about rushing back; we'll need you on two good wheels when you return. Do what they tell you and leave the over-achieving for when you return to the ice.

This stinks all right, and it changes things a tad in the longer term. Halps will likely lose a smidgen of speed with ACL history in both knees. That bumps him from playing on a second line for a respectable club, ever again. I'd love to keep him and regain respectability, so third line is the absolute best scenario for him--- in 2009.

Unless I miss my guess (again) and guys don't start wearing garlic around their necks, we have no, repeat no second or third lines to match up with our weak-sister defense.

Oh, it's going to be crowded on the Skyway....

[Nan]

The Lightning's trainer room is going to look like a freakin hospital ward! I am keeping my fingers crossed until the rest of the guys get done with Worlds. Good luck Halpy!

[Brian]

Get better Jeff! You have been quite an inspiration to us Lightning diehard faithful who have had so little to rally behind. Don't rush your recovery!

[Benny]

I know this guy from long ago,
Look for him to get back fast and strong, he's very tough and very smart about his rehab.
He already came back from total reconstruct on the other knee.

[Tackleberry]

When it rains, it pours!

At least this will solidify the Stamkos pick. I am guessing that the coach will have Stamkos take over Halpern's line.

I hate to be a jinx, but what would happen if MSL got injured? If the bolts get another injury of another top player, management may increase their considerations to trade some of the top players. The idea would be, to get some healthy/descent bodies, to start the 08-09 season. Ugly scenario!

Get healthy EVERYONE! Go Bolts

[Hockey Chic]

Good God Tackelberry surely you jest. Please do not even say that. MSL hope you got a good luck charm or two.

Jeff here is hoping the surgery is a success and that the rehab is complete. You will be missed as you brought a great deal to the team. Please do as they say and do not over do it. We will definitely need you in the stretch.

It seems the training staff may need some help in the off season. For the rest of our guys do not walk under ladders, have black cats walk in front of you or hang your skates over head.

Be careful please we need the rest of you back in one piece. Here is hoping the mojo changes now.

Go Bolts!!

[Nate Dogg]

Any day now...the rain will stop pouring...

...yep...

...any...day...

....now...

[Carol]

Wahls....
Love the idea about bubble wrapping the rest of them! :)
Jeff...here's to a speedy, successful recovery. Heaven knows we need you!! :)

[Carol]

Wahls....
Love the idea about bubble wrapping the rest of them! :)
Jeff...here's to a speedy, successful recovery. Heaven knows we need you!! :)

[Tim]

Where are the Tortorella haters? Surely this is somehow his fault.

[Carol]

Oh Tim...we're here! :)

[Hockey Chic]

Tim,

While I may not agree with everything Torts has chosen to do on and off season I would never blame an injury on him.

It is up to the player to determine how hard they play not the coach.
I am sure from the score and the write ups about the game Jeff probably went at it very hard.

I did not see the play or how it happened but Torts is not responsible. It is an injury and it happens in Hockey..It is unfortunate but it happens.

Go Bolts!

[wahls]

I was watching the game when it happened and I have no idea how you could blame Torts for it. It was 4 on 4 and two Canadian players collided with Halpern along the boards and his knee got sandwiched and twisted between the two Canadians knees. Pretty much looked like they hit him just right to tweak it. He fell down and stayed on his knees until the trainers got to him. Luckily he was able to skate off the ice, unfortunately it was only on one leg and he needed help getting back to the dressing room. He didn't look like he was in a lot of pain, and I'm guessing since he had a torn ACL on his other knee, he probably knew right away what it was.

Halpern had been playing just like he did while he was here, going 110% at all times. It is a shame that he got hurt, he was one of the few bright spots during the end of the season and I was looking forward to a whole season with him.

Also, for those who haven't been paying attention, so far the USA is leading in penalty killing going 11 for 11. Apparently that new way that Sullivan was teaching to kill the penalties is working pretty well for them. They aren't too shabby on the PP either so far, leading the tournament by a wide margin with 9 goals. The game yesterday was extremely entertaining, things are looking bright for the USA with all of the young players that we have. Its a shame Thomas and Halpern got hurt though, we were playing pretty well against the Canadians the whole game. Also, you can't help but love those Latvian fans! They cheer the whole time, win or lose, and even if their team isn't even playing.

[Mike13]

I just read on the IIHF website that Finland has added Ramo to their roster. Good for him. I hope he gets some playing time.

Marty is playing really well, even if he isn't scoring.

[boltflasher]

Then there's always the woes of the Leafs:

(from ESPN) For a team that has consistently been immobilized by its own dysfunction, the Maurice firing suggests maybe they're content to let Fletcher mind the store for a year and then hope Burke is available then.

That's not much of a plan -- hoping a guy doesn't sign a long-term contract extension with another team -- but these are the Leafs, and in Leaf Land, that kind of thinking qualifies as Mensa-like.

With Burke remaining in Anaheim and the Leafs unlikely to land any of the top GMs in the business (let's be honest, if you were Holland or Wilson or Rutherford or Poile, would you come to the mess that is the Leafs?), they will have to settle for something less than what they want. In this case, that may be Fletcher.

Settling is a way of life in Toronto.

[wahls]

Well I just read over on EE's blog that Halpern has a ruptured ACL, grade III sprain on his MCL, and a slight tear of the lateral meniscus. Once he has surgery, he will be out for 5-6 months (putting him out of commission until December/January). He is waiting 4-6 weeks to have surgery for his MCL to heal first.

Things are not looking good. I just hope this is the last of the injuries. Hopefully Vinny is back in time too, otherwise poor Stamkos will be thrust onto the first line with no one to help him. Where can we buy bubble wrap in bulk?

[boltflasher]

They will now have to consider a top center free agent...Brian Rolston?? Rolston can also play left wing when injured centers come back...

[ajax]

"They" have so much to consider it is mind boggling. If, IF, I was the new owner, I would seriously consider defaulting, take the 5-7 million dollar loss, lick my wounds and say, What the heck was I thinking??
Talk about a string of bad luck, we have been hit extremely hard with bad juju. My simple mind wanders to opening night and the patchwork ragtag squad that we might be cheering. Yes, I will be there, but I envision lots of empty seats in the upper deck this year. Let's hope not. GBY

[Casper]

Just read Brant James’ article this morning, stating Halps will miss the first month of the season.

I admit to being a math challenged stooge. Halpern has to wait for the knee trauma to settle in about 4-6 weeks before having reconstructive surgery. The recovery from which, takes 5-6 months.

And we think he only misses the first month of the season? It’s the middle of May, I have enough fingers to determine a return not earlier than the mid-to-end of December. And that, only if everyfreakingthing goes swimmingly well.

When does the season start again? Oh yeah, we jump the gate in October all full of p!$$ and vinegar and then never show up in November. So, our season doesn’t really start until mid-to late January, meaning he takes face offs again around---Valentine's Day. Oh, I get it now. Moronic…

And can we divest of the mediocrity tolerant ECHL mentality and get a media photo of the guy in a Bolts sweater?

One other cheery thing, thinking of face offs, I remember he started with the balking back syndrome, please don't screw that up worse in knee re-hab, OK?

It's true I'd like to say goodbye to Ryan Craig for balky knees and chronic back issues. That's only because I haven't seen grit from him that Halps has in one pinky. Show me something, Kid.

[boltflasher]

Wild Rumour from Erik Erlendssen: "Are you ready for this? With Paul Maurice being fired today by the Toronto Maple Leafs a wildly, yet often unreliable, rumor web site is stating that Lightning coach John Tortorella is believed to be in the running to take over the job. And to top that off, general manager Jay Feaster is set to join him..."...You gotta love that Toronto rumour mill...

[mdgirl]

Halpern is such a great player, person, and has great spirit. He took a tough trade where he gave up a playoff opportunity and did good things for the Lightenings. This sux for him and the team.

We are praying for a speedy recovery Jeff!

[Tim]

Can anyone say sarcasm? :) Obviously, it's not Torts' fault. Just thinking about the folks who were blaming him for Vinny's injury.

[Matt]

Boltflasher, we can only be so lucky.

And I will be the 1st to point the finger at Tortorella. If memory serves, Halpern was not on the original roster. I thought I remember Torts having to talk Halpern and the GM of the US team into getting him on the roster? I might be wrong, but I seriously doubt that had Torts not insisted he play then Halpern would be sitting at home instead of being injured. I know its wrong to look at it that way, but I love dumping on the Fonze.........

[ajax]

Come on Toronto, take our fantastic two up north!!! Spends some of dem pounds!!! They do have pounds in Canada, no?? Euro's??

[bingo]

Ah, please let the Power Rangers go to the northland. They could sure use the heat of Torts and the Blubber of Feast. Just think Molsons in a tub.
And if we are lucky they take sully and the bright star from Detroit who manages the books......

Bingo

[PD]

Heh Boltflasher you must be referencing the team that has beaten your pathetic outfit in 25 of the last 30 games played.

Burke will still be the guy and they have 3x the assetts Tampa does for a turnaround.Stay tuned

Envy must be sad.

[GoBolts]

Hey PD, last time I looked this was a Lightning blog for BOLTS fans,not a "lets support the LEAFs site"!

[Another Joe]

If he can return in January it will almost be like a trade deadline addition. hopefully the Bolts can stay in the playoff hunt until then.

Next season depends on one thing. Ramo and Smith giving us solid goal tending.

[GoBolts]

Hey PD, last time I looked this was a Lightning blog for BOLTS fans,not a "lets support the LEAFs site"!

[PD]

He Go Bolts
I'm a transplanted hockey fan like most here..
That baby wants to diss the Leafs, then turnabout is fair play..read his sad post

[boltflasher]

PD, that was from ESPN yesterday, not my words...but it was amusing nonetheless...

[boltflasher]

PD, its not my fault that the press is all over the Leafs...just today from The Hockey News: http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/15886-Screen-Shots-Welcome-to-Toronto-the-NHLs-confusion-capital.html

[PD]

Flasher I think this is a lot closer to reality from a guy who is trustworthy.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15203

[boltflasher]

...from the same site that reported Feaster and Torts were going to the Leafs in a tag team? I would agree that that writer writes from a Leafs fan point of view...this waiting for Burke is what the other sites, ESPN and THN are making fun of...
By the way, I said a month ago on here Nonis was probably headed to the Leafs but was argued that no, Burke would be the new GM and Nonis was a better fit for here...anyway, thanks for the post!

[pd]

Indeed you did raise Nonis .
I remember that and commented on it. He has much chance as Feaster to be Leaf Pres. BUT he's Burkes guy and would be a great bridge as GM until Burke gets out of his contract even if it takes a year.
Guess who will be calling the shots behind the curtain, nudge nudge wink wink.

I'd be happy to have Torts coach

[Bear]

I hear there are two Bolts going to Toronto. Tortorella is one, Feaster is not one.
The other is a center who is a Torts fan.
The Melose thing supposedly announced next week. Things are picking up.

[boltflasher]

If Anaheim trades for Raycroft, then we will know Burkie is headed for Toronto...

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Pat Burns, COME ON DOWN!!

And bring a defensive Komandant to make Boyle's life miserable, and his dollars earned. EARNED, I say! Also, actually DO something with the alleged young defensive 'Talent'. We'll score all right, just a tad more than we PERMIT. Key word--permit--goals to be scored.

Brad's long gone. Vincent is shelved for a spell, so is Halpern, who's going to do that pissant rush-rush now, Coach Tortie? Marty and Boyle alone? Grab solid hold of your ears and PULL!

[Big Tex]

Karma, That's all I have to say about this guy.

[pd]

Raycroft? ..heh flasher that's a heck of an idea. Leafs will take Corey Perry back. It might get the Samuels to let Burke out of his last yr. They are idiots for wanting him back for a lame duck year, no pun. I think it get resolved soon with MLG's money somehow.

[JF]

Both knees rebuilt.
Good luck with that.
Try using the princeton degree