Betts and Powe ot 4-6 weeks with shoulder injuries

flyersrule · #1 (**permalink**) 11-22-2009, 12:40 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Flyers lost more than a hockey game Saturday night at Jobing.com Arena.

Veteran center Blair Betts again dislocated his right shoulder and will miss four to six weeks, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

Meanwhile, another center, Darroll Powe incurred a strained left shoulder against San Jose. He will begin rehab in a few days, and will also miss four to six weeks.

Betts' injury came on a non-contact play midway into the opening period of a 3-1 loss.

“He jumped up at the puck and ended up dislocating the same shoulder again,” Holmgren said. “Obviously, it’s a significant amount of time [he’ll miss]. At least four weeks.”

Holmgren wasn’t sure which forward would be recalled for Monday’s game in Colorado. Jon Kalinski, Jared Ross and Jon Matsumoto are possibilities with the Phantoms.

Betts originally dislocated the shoulder on Oct. 6 against Washington. He missed seven games.

Holmgren said surgery was not an option before, even though Betts told reporters in the fall this was a chronic injury for him when he played for the Rangers.

“It’s [surgery] something that obviously, we will look at,” Holmgren said. “Probably this time. Last time, surgery was not an option. Partly due to prior damage that was done [to it].”

Betts has been a significant contributor to the team on faceoffs and the penalty kill, anchoring the third/fourth line – depending how you rank them – with Dan Carcillo and Ian Laperriere.

“Blair’s presence has really balanced our fourth line and given the coaches the opportunity to play that line against any team,” Holmgren said. “It’s a loss for us. We have to try and get through it.”