Speculation: Could Michalek be Done?

[MIGs Dog]

I've been worried about Z since the latest injury and the comments from the team that he would be out weeks. He had what was called successful hip surgery in May of 2012. Played last year's shortened season with no apparent problems, but this is his second extended absence this year for apparently the same injury. I'm making an assumption that the hip that is bothering him now is the same one he had surgery on, but I could be wrong of course.

"A recurrence of a chronic hip malady has sidelined Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek indefinitely. The veteran blue liner missed nine games earlier this season while nursing the same hip, and seemed to have aggravated the issue in Tuesday night's loss to the Montreal Canadiens - leaving after his first shift of the night. Michalek left the team, which is in the middle of a four-game road trip against the Eastern Conference, to be evaluated and treated by the team's medical staff. He has been placed on the injured reserved list" Michael Hamm on 12/21/2013​

No idea what the extent of the original injury was, but all I could think of when I heard hip injury was Bo Jackson.

Click to read more...

 

[Longwayfromhome]

per Sarah Mclellan he is getting tests done today and tomorrow that should provide some clarity. I hope he can be back, at least for the playoffs. He has really raised OELs game this year and has been solid all around. A true warrior like him always seems to find a way back.

 

[rt]

I'd say you're making a pretty huge leap to float the idea that he may be completely done.

Just because he's got a reoccurring injury and just because it's already been surgically repaired doesn't mean it's all over. This happens. It may have ended Bo Jackson's career, but not all hips or hip injuries are created equal. I don't think there's anything more special about a hip injury than a shoulder or head injury. Some guys lose their careers to head injuries ala Adam Deadmarsh. Some guys can keep playing despite multiple concussions ala Marc Staal. Hasn't Shane Doan had multiple surgeries for the same groin issue? I think that happened to Jovanovski, too.

I don't think even the world's most prolific hip specialist (if there is such a thing) could read a couple of press releases and diagnose Michalek's timeline. Not sure why fans would attempt to do so.

 

[yotesreign]

I'd say you're making a pretty huge leap to float the idea that he may be completely done.

Just because he's got a reoccurring injury and just because it's already been surgically repaired doesn't mean it's all over. This happens. It may have ended Bo Jackson's career, but not all hips or hip injuries are created equal. I don't think there's anything more special about a hip injury than a shoulder or head injury. Some guys lose their careers to head injuries ala Adam Deadmarsh. Some guys can keep playing despite multiple concussions ala Marc Staal. Hasn't Shane Doan had multiple surgeries for the same groin issue? I think that happened to Jovanovski, too.

I don't think even the world's most prolific hip specialist (if there is such a thing) could read a couple of press releases and diagnose Michalek's timeline. Not sure why fans would attempt to do so.

lol hey its what some fans do... "speculation"...

but yeah... I agree with ya. There is such a thing as worrying about stuff one has no control over.... which may be fun for some but may not exactly be the most productive or fulfilling way to make it through a day.

I'd hope Michalek comes back healthy and I hope he's getting great medical help towards that end. but it's nothing in my control. I wish him well and no point in me worrying about it.

Vaguely reminded of a line in The Departed something about some guy who had an ill family member that was "on her way out" and Jack Nicholson's character more or less says "We all are, act accordingly".

Get well, Z.

 

[zerekstar]

I sure hope not. He seems to get hit more then any our D-men from what I have noticed. That and blocking shots is a rough way to make a living but he has done well at it. Hopefully the damage, whether because of these points to his game or for another reason, don't prevent him from playing many more years. All the best to Z.

 

[CC96]

Anyone know the timetable for Z's return?

 

[Longwayfromhome]

Anyone know the timetable for Z's return?

They haven't released any yet. But they have said to expect 'weeks' not 'days'.

 

[MIGs Dog]

Happy Z is back and happy to be wrong. Played 16 minutes last night and said he felt fine afterwards. Hope he stays that way.

 

[azcanuck]

It's interesting that hip injuries are becoming more common in hockey. I dont remember that being the case 10-20 years ago.
I wonder if it's the speed of the game or an imbalance created by training methods. I know goalies who play the butterfly are more prone but players?

 

[MIGs Dog]

It's interesting that hip injuries are becoming more common in hockey. I dont remember that being the case 10-20 years ago.
I wonder if it's the speed of the game or an imbalance created by training methods. I know goalies who play the butterfly are more prone but players?

too many video games; not enough child labor

 

[MIGs Dog]

"Zbynek Michalek isn’t sure if his ailing hip will ever regain complete health this season"

http://t.co/W9wQbLsLZU

 

[SniperHF]

"Zbynek Michalek isn’t sure if his ailing hip will ever regain complete health this season"

http://t.co/W9wQbLsLZU

If that's the case they need to at a minimum keep him out of back to back games.

 

[awfulwaffle]

I understand that these players want to play for their country, but if he is weary of his health, as a Coyotes fan, who is paying him to play, I don't really want to see him playing in the Olympics.

 

[zz]

as a Coyotes fan, who is paying him to play

You're not paying him to play. You're paying a business for its product, and he's an employee of that business. This is like you being a customer of my employer's business and being ticked off that I'm going to go sky diving during my summer break because it might negatively affect the quality of the product. I would get it as shareholder, but as a customer? So weird.

If the guys who are actually paying players (as in owners) have a problem with the Olympics, they can change the agreement at a league level. Until then, well, good luck to him and I'm thrilled he gets to represent his country.

 

[PhoPhan]

You're not paying him to play. You're paying a business for its product, and he's an employee of that business. This is like you being a customer of my employer's business and being ticked off that I'm going to go sky diving during my summer break because it might negatively affect the quality of the product. I would get it as shareholder, but as a customer? So weird.

If the guys who are actually paying players (as in owners) have a problem with the Olympics, they can change the agreement at a league level. Until then, well, good luck to him and I'm thrilled he gets to represent his country.

Can't tell you how refreshing it is to read a pro-labor argument in a sports context.

 

[MIGs Dog]

If the guys who are actually paying players (as in owners) have a problem with the Olympics, they can change the agreement at a league level. Until then, well, good luck to him and I'm thrilled he gets to represent his country.

What if the team doctor has not cleared him to play, NHL or Olympics, yet he still decides to play. Is the team on good standing to take disciplinary action?