NEW Ryder's hit ends Havlat's season

[les_glorieux]

CLEVELAND (CP/TSN) - The Ottawa Senators will have to go the remainder of the regular season without star forward Martin Havlat, but defenceman Wade Redden is almost ready to return to the lineup.

Havlat decided Wednesday to have surgery to repair his dislocated right shoulder, but hopes to be back in time for playoffs. Specialist Dr. Anthony Miniaci made the recommendation after re-examining Havlat at the Cleveland Clinic.

"It's really disappointing," Havlat said in a conference call from Cleveland. "It's always bad if you can't play, if you can't be a part of the team on the ice. "

Havlat remains hopeful he will return to Ottawa's lineup in time for the NHL playoffs.

"With this surgery there's a good chance that I'll be back (for the playoffs)," Havlat said. "I don't want to miss the most important past of the season at the end.

"I'll do my best to get back because I want to have a chance to fight for the Stanley Cup."

Miniaci consulted with Senators physician Don Chow and team officials after the examination. Chow said the type of dislocation Havlat has is associated with a small fracture on the top of his shoulder bone.

"Dr. Miniaci is planning on not just fixing all of the soft tissue, but he will also be fixing the fracture defect," Chow said. "This is why it is a little more difficult and unusual than most shoulder dislocations."

Havlat's condition will be re-accessed after about three months.

"That's probably the earliest that we could get him back into the lineup," Chow said. "But everything will depend on how well his rehabilitation goes.

"We will be we'll be watching him very closely."

Ottawa Senators general manger John Muckler, who is in Vancouver, said he is optimistic the Senators will continue winning without Havlat.

"I think we do have enough depth in the organization to cover for Marty while he's gone and at the same time it will give us an opportunity to look at our younger players," Muckler said.

Brandon Bochenski, who scored three goals in Ottawa's 6-2 win over Florida in their last game, will replace Havlat in the Senators lineup.

"Bochenski will get the first opportunity," Muckler said."He's played well.

"He showed great speed the other night. We feel that he'll be able to do the job for us. "It's sad that Marty won't be with us, but it gives others the opportunity."

Havlat, 24, who has nine goals and five assists in 16 games this season, suffered the injury in a Nov. 29 game against Montreal.

"The good thing is if he works hard there's a possibility he'll be able to come back for the playoffs," Muckler said.

According to the team's website, the news was better on Wednesday for Redden, who is nursing a strained left knee. He is expected to practice with the Senators in Vancouver on Thursday and hopes to be ready to face the Canucks Friday night.

"We still have a couple of days so we’ll see how it is," Redden said.

"I don’t want this to be a percentage thing. I want it to be yes or no. If it was today, I would probably say no. It’s tough sitting out but I don’t want to rush just to get back."

Coach Bryan Murray said he expects a decision from Redden after practice Thursday.

"I’m hoping he’s able to play. He’s very close. If he’s not a go for this game, then he should be on the trip."

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=146060&hubname=

[Edited on 12/8/2005 by les_glorieux]

[blaze53]

Sucks for Havlat but Ottawa always has a replacement for each of their players. I guess Ryder's proud of himself for taking out a Senator for the NHL teams about to face Ottawa.

[Tony_]

It was a legal hit, it's part of the game.

Sucks for Havlat but that's the risk a hockey player takes every night when he steps on the ice.

[lazy26]

There was nothing wrong with the hit. Havlat just went into the boards funny.

But I'm sure Ryder doesn't feel good about that...

[JMMR]

Anyone else realizes that Primeau is still out from the Zhog hit back in October.

And Clean hit

Havlat fell awkwardly into the boards.

[BTH]

In other medical news, JP Dumont and Peter Bondra will both be out for a while because of sports hernias. Bondra is expected to miss a month and I heard no word on Dumont. Daniel Briere has a less serious abdominal injury but he has started taking no-contact skates with the team. Also, Eric Desjardins will miss 8-10 weeks.

[Edited on 2005/12/8 by Bulis_the_Habbie]

[PMAC]

I dont think any player, except maybe a *&^^@$!!!! like B. Marchment, enjoys injuring another player.

[Psycing]

Rivet also managed to hurt Rucinsky (sp?)... He's only just returned to the NYR line-up... Looks like the Habs are taking guys out left and right! lol.

[Trizzak]

Originally posted by Macaskill

Rivet also managed to hurt Rucinsky (sp?)... He's only just returned to the NYR line-up... Looks like the Habs are taking guys out left and right! lol.

Yes, but look at karma coming back and kicking our ass with key injuries.

[Psycing]

True, but injuries have plagued us for years now... It's just nyce to see things going the other way as well .

[Mont Royale]

I heard confirmation on the radio this morning. Havlat's season is over.

[BTH]

Originally posted by Mont Royale

I heard confirmation on the radio this morning.  Havlat's season is over.

The Ottawa Senators just became a lot more beatable.

[lazy26]

Originally posted by Bulis_the_Habbie

Originally posted by Mont Royale

I heard confirmation on the radio this morning.  Havlat's season is over.

The Ottawa Senators just became a lot more beatable.

What's your definition of "a lot"?

[BTH]

Nah they're still the best team in the league but now they're a just a reat team not an unbeatable team. Before they had the best first line AND the best second line in the league but now they're second line is just "good". I'd expect to be doing about as well as Detroit for the rest of the season.