The Flyers are going to need to do it without one of their toughest players as they move on in the playoffs.
Tough man Ian Laperriere is probably out for the rest of the season. The Flyers forward was hit in the face by a puck while trying to block a shot during the third period of Thursday’s series-clinching win against the Devils.
The toughest player in the NHL as voted by The Hockey News suffered a brain contusion and a mild concussion -- as well a pretty nasty-looking black eye and 70 stitches. Laperriere met with doctors in Philadelphia on Monday and a neurosurgeon in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
“Right now, it’s not safe for him to play,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said.
Holmgren also said that Laperriere’s injuries will not require surgery and he will have another CT scan in about four weeks.
“They don’t want any bleeding in [my brain]. If you start bleeding in your brain it’s not good," Laperriere told PhiladelphiaFlyers.com. "We’re hockey players and take pride in playing through injuries, but that’s one thing I just can’t afford to do for the sake of my family."
"Trust me, I want to be out there."
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Laperriere did not miss a game all year for the Orange and Black even returning to a game after losing seven teeth. He scored just three goals and had 17 assists on the season but was more known for his penalty-killing ability.
