Laperriere Skating, But No Closer to a Return
(from CSNPhilly.com)
By Tim Panaccio
CSNPhilly.com
May 15, 2010 - Flyers forward Ian Laperriere skated with goalie coach Jeff Reese on Saturday at Skate Zone ... but don't get too caught up thinking he's ready to return to the ice.
Laperriere has a brain contusion and concussion.
Laperriere told CSNPhilly.com he isn't sure when his next MRI is to determine whether the bruising on the brain is gone. He can't play again until the image is clear.
"I feel great," Laperriere said. "And the neurologist in Pittsburgh cleared me to skate but with no contact for now."
Andreas Nodl has given a fair assessment of himself as Laperriere's defensive replacement without much fanfare. But what if Laperriere came back late in the series?
"It would be nice but at this time, the chances of seeing him are pretty slim," Danny Briere said. "If it happens, it would be a huge boost. But we've done pretty well without him the past two games and Nodl replaced him and has done a pretty good job blocking shots and playing hard. He does a lot of little things that don't show up on the score sheet. We don't talk very much about him, but I've been impressed by him."
Coach Peter Laviolette said he had no medical update that would indicate Laperriere is close to returning.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net