New York Rangers' Michael Sauer 'a huge question mark' for John Tortorella -NHL Update
Having a player out with a concussion is always a serious matter and for John Tortorella, young New York Rangers’ defenseman, Michael Sauer, is still ‘a huge question mark’ for the upcoming season after the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Playoffs
are done and over with.
It was during a match against Toronto Maple Leafs back in December of 2011 that Sauer acquired a career changing and season ending concussion as his head struck the ice after a hit by Toronto’s captain, Dion Phaneuf.
Though Sauer was with Tortorella on Monday, there is still no surety from the team and the medical staff that the defender will be back on the ice playing primetime hockey anytime soon.
"It's a huge question mark," Tortorella said of Sauer's status. "I just saw him for the first time in months and he's certainly not where he needs to be to start working out."
It is believed that Sauer was back skating the ice and practicing a month after his hit but after medical checkups revealed that there are some major setbacks to his recovery, New York Rangers were forced to end his season right then and there.
"I don't have a lot of update, but he's certainly not where he needs to be even to start working out," Tortorella added.
Rangers will have to decide what to do with Michael Sauer over the offseason after New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings battle it out for Stanley Cup glory this coming Wednesday, May 30, 2012.
The 24-year-old defenseman is signed through next season as well on a two-year contract worth $2.5 million.
Sauer was drafted as the 40th overall pick during round-two of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by New York Rangers and played just 19 games in the 2011-2012 regular season with three points (1 goal, 2 assists) and a plus-minus rating of nine.
The St. Cloud, Minnesota native has played in three seasons with New York Rangers thus far and proved to be an exemplary defender during his peak point in the 2010-2011 regular season. New York will definitely need him next year but until and unless his
concussion issues are cleared up, nothing can be said about his return.
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