Toronto Maple Leafs assure Matthew Lombardi of no hurry to return –NHL offseason Update
Matthew Lombardi, one of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) most celebrated center players, has been assured by his team, Toronto Maple Leafs, that it is certainly not in a rush when it comes to having him back on the ice before he fully recovers from his
concussion related problems.
Acquired from Nashville Predators last season, Lombardi managed to play only two matchups before he went out for the entire season due to a face first fall on the ice during a game.
Nashville had signed on the players after he had become an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season ended to a two-year, $7 million contract.
The financial tension might be on Toronto, but according to Maple Leafs' general manager, Brian Burke, there is no need to rush the process and waiting is not a problem for the team.
“It’s too soon to tell”, Burke told Sun Media. “As we always do with head injuries, we’ll err on the side of caution”.
According to latest reports, Toronto is going to the extent as to not having him participate in training camp along with a starting portion of the 2011-2012 regular season, which would ultimately give him the time he needs to rest.
In October, it will be a year since Lombardi was forced off the ice and since then, he has not performed in any sort of practice session either.
Lombardi, a native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, was drafted as the 90th overall pick during round-three of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by Calgary Flames.
Since his selection, Lombardi participated in five seasons with Calgary Flames before moving on to Phoenix Coyotes for another two and finally, Nashville Predators, who were barely able to use his abilities.
Looking back at his previous seasons with the different teams, Matthew Lombardi is yet to reach his peak performing years.
His highest season came with Phoenix during the 2009-2010 season in which he registered 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists) in 78 games.
Most likely, it is believed that Lombardi will be able to return during November, next season, which would provide Toronto Maple Leafs with exceptional depth on their blue line.
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